Leah Cherniak

Last updated
Leah Cherniak
Born (1956-08-22) August 22, 1956 (age 66) [1]
NationalityCanadian
Alma mater University of Toronto
Notable work The Attic, the Pearls and Three Fine Girls

Leah Cherniak (born 1956) is a Canadian playwright, actor, and teacher. She is a co-founder of Theatre Columbus (now called Common Boots).

Contents

Early life and education

Cherniak graduated from the University of Toronto with a BA in 1979. [1] She later studied at École Jacques Lecoq, where she met Martha Ross. [2]

Career

Cherniak co-founded Theatre Columbus with Martha Ross in 1984. Originally, the company was called The Gargoils. [2] In 2015, Theatre Columbus changed their name to Common Boots Theatre. [3]

Teaching

Beginning in 1985, Cherniak taught clown at the National Theatre School. In 2001, Cherniak began teaching dance at Ryerson University (now Toronto Metropolitan University) and George Brown College. [1]

Directorial credits

Theatre

Film

  • Things Dead People Say short film (2020) [14]

Acting credits

Theatre

YearShowRoleNotesRef.
1995 The Attic, The Pearls, and Three Fine Girls Jelly [15]
2015 The Dybbuk, Or Between Two Worlds Frayde [16]
2018Animal FarmBessie [17]
2019ScaddingEnsemble [18]

Plays

Awards

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultsNotesRef.
1987 Dora Mavor Moore Awards Small TheatreBest ProductionFertilityWonwith Martha Ross [25]
1988Outstanding DirectionThe Anger in Ernest and ErnestineNominated [26]
Outstanding New PlayNominated
1989Outstanding DirectionParanoiaNominated [27]
1990Dr. DapertuttoNominated [28]
1991Dora Mavor Moore Awards Ancillary awards Pauline McGibbon Award N/AWon [29]
1994 Floyd S. Chalmers Canadian Play Award General TheatreThe Theory of RelativesNominatedwith Daniel Brooks, Diane Flacks, Richard Greenblatt, Leslie Lester, Allan Merovitz [22]
Dora Mavor Moore Awards Small TheatreOutstanding New PlayNominated [30]
1995Outstanding Performance by a Female - Play The Attic, The Pearls, and Three Fine Girls Nominated [31]
Outstanding New Play or MusicalNominatedwith Ann-Marie MacDonald, Martha Ross with Alisa Palmer, Jennifer Brewin
1996Floyd S. Chalmers Canadian Play AwardGeneral TheatreNominated [32]
Dora Mavor Moore Awards General TheatreOutstanding Direction The Diary of Anne Frank Nominated [33]
1998Outstanding Direction of a PlayThe BetrayalNominated [34]
1999Floyd S. Chalmers Canadian Play AwardGeneral TheatreWonco-winner with Oliver Dennis, Maggie Huculak, Robert Morgan, Martha Ross and Michael Simpson [24]
2003Dora Mavor Moore Awards General TheatreOutstanding Direction of a Play The Miracle Worker Nominated [35]
2005Dora Mavor Moore Awards Independent TheatreOutstanding Direction of a PlayThe Anger in Ernest and ErnestineNominated [36]

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