Leah Cherniak (born 1956) is a Canadian playwright, actor, and teacher. She is a co-founder of Theatre Columbus (now called Common Boots).
Early life and education 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 (now Toronto Metropolitan University) and George Brown College.
Directorial credits
Theatre Up Against the Wallpaper – Nightwood Theatre (1989) The Tell-Tale Heart – Theatre Columbus (1995) Froth (1996) Three Birds Alighting on a Field – George Brown Theatre (2000) Lonely Nights and Other Stories – Theatre Columbus, co-directed with Maggie Huculak (2001) Rue Alridge – Tarragon Theatre (2004) Edward the "Crazy Man" – Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People (2008) 6 Essential Questions – Factory Theatre (2014) Clown – Ryerson School of Performance (2018) The Ward Cabaret – Harbourfront Centre Theatre (2020), co-directed with David Buchbinder Perpetual Archaeology – Crow's Theatre written by and starring Alex Bulmer (June 2023)
Film Things Dead People Say – short film (2020)
Acting credits
Theatre YearShowRoleNotesRef.1995The Attic, The Pearls, and Three Fine GirlsJelly2015The Dybbuk, Or Between Two WorldsFrayde2018Animal FarmBessie2019ScaddingEnsemble
Plays Until We Part – co-written with Martha Ross The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine – co-written with Robert Morgan and Martha Ross Still Clowning – co-written with Martha Ross The Fragments – co-written with Suvendrini Lena and Trevor Schwellnus The Theory of Relatives – co-written with Daniel Brooks, Diane Flacks, Richard Greenblatt, Leslie Lester, and Allan Merovitz The Attic, The Pearls, and Three Fine Girls – co-written with Jennifer Brewin, Martha Ross, Ann-Marie MacDonald, and Alisa Palmer More Fine Girls – co-written with Brewin, Ross, MacDonald, and Palmer, sequel to The Attic, The Pearls, and Three Fine Girls Scadding ' co-created with Jennifer Brewin, Alex Bulmer, Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah, John Gzowski, Maggie Huculak, Anand Rajaram, Jenny Salisbury and Stephon Smith The Betrayal – co-written with Oliver Dennis, Maggie Huculak, Robert Morgan, Martha Ross and Michael Simpson
Awards +YearAwardCategoryWorkResultsNotesRef.1987Dora Mavor Moore Awards – Small TheatreBest ProductionFertilitywith Martha Ross1988Outstanding DirectionThe Anger in Ernest and ErnestineOutstanding New Play1989Outstanding DirectionParanoia1990Dr. Dapertutto1991Dora Mavor Moore Awards – Ancillary awardsPauline McGibbon AwardN/A1994Floyd S. Chalmers Canadian Play AwardGeneral TheatreThe Theory of Relativeswith Daniel Brooks, Diane Flacks, Richard Greenblatt, Leslie Lester, Allan MerovitzDora Mavor Moore Awards – Small TheatreOutstanding New Play1995Outstanding Performance by a Female–PlayThe Attic, The Pearls, and Three Fine GirlsOutstanding New Play or Musicalwith Ann-Marie MacDonald, Martha Ross with Alisa Palmer, Jennifer Brewin1996Floyd S. Chalmers Canadian Play AwardGeneral TheatreDora Mavor Moore Awards – General TheatreOutstanding DirectionThe Diary of Anne Frank1998Outstanding Direction of a PlayThe Betrayal1999Floyd S. Chalmers Canadian Play AwardGeneral Theatreco-winner with Oliver Dennis, Maggie Huculak, Robert Morgan, Martha Ross and Michael Simpson2003Dora Mavor Moore Awards – General TheatreOutstanding Direction of a PlayThe Miracle Worker2005Dora Mavor Moore Awards – Independent TheatreOutstanding Direction of a PlayThe Anger in Ernest and Ernestine
References