Leah Cherniak
Leah Cherniak is a Canadian playwright, actor, and teacher. She is a co-founder of Theatre Columbus.
Cherniak graduated from the University of Toronto with a BA in 1979. She later studied at École Jacques Lecoq, where she met Martha Ross.
Career
Cherniak co-founded Theatre Columbus with Martha Ross in 1984. Originally, the company was called The Gargoils. In 2015, Theatre Columbus changed their name to Common Boots Theatre.
Teaching
Beginning in 1985, Cherniak taught clown at the National Theatre School. In 2001, Cherniak began teaching dance at Ryerson University and George Brown College.
Directorial credits
Theatre
Up Against the Wallpaper – Nightwood Theatre The Tell-Tale Heart – Theatre Columbus Froth Three Birds Alighting on a Field – George Brown Theatre Lonely Nights and Other Stories – Theatre Columbus, co-directed with Maggie Huculak Rue Alridge – Tarragon Theatre Edward the "Crazy Man" – Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People 6 Essential Questions – Factory Theatre Clown – Ryerson School of Performance The Ward Cabaret – Harbourfront Centre Theatre, co-directed with David BuchbinderPerpetual Archaeology – Crow's Theatre written by and starring Alex Bulmer
Film
Things Dead People Say – short film
Plays
Until We Part – co-written with Martha RossThe Anger in Ernest and Ernestine – co-written with Robert Morgan and Martha RossStill Clowning – co-written with Martha RossThe Fragments – co-written with Suvendrini Lena and Trevor SchwellnusThe Theory of Relatives – co-written with Daniel Brooks, Diane Flacks, Richard Greenblatt, Leslie Lester, and Allan MerovitzThe Attic, The Pearls, and Three Fine Girls – co-written with Jennifer Brewin, Martha Ross, Ann-Marie MacDonald, and Alisa PalmerMore Fine Girls – co-written with Brewin, Ross, MacDonald, and Palmer, sequel to The Attic, The Pearls, and Three Fine GirlsScadding ' co-created with Jennifer Brewin, Alex Bulmer, Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah, John Gzowski, Maggie Huculak, Anand Rajaram, Jenny Salisbury and Stephon SmithThe Betrayal – co-written with Oliver Dennis, Maggie Huculak, Robert Morgan, Martha Ross and Michael Simpson