Leah Cherniak

{{short description|Canadian playwright (born 1956)}} {{Infobox person | name = Leah Cherniak | image =  | alt =  | caption = | other_names = | birth_name =  | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1956|08|22}}<ref name=":6" /> | birth_place = | death_date =  | death_place = | alma_mater = University of Toronto | occupation = | years_active = | known_for = | notable_works = ''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).

== Early life and education == Cherniak graduated from the University of Toronto with a BA in 1979.<ref name=":6">{{Cite book|last=Lumley|first=Elizabeth|title=Canadian Who's Who 2004 : Volume XXXIX|publisher=University of Toronto Press|year=2000|pages=235–236}}</ref> She later studied at École Jacques Lecoq, where she met Martha Ross.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news|last=Crew|first=Robert|date=1994-03-15|title=Award-winning stage duo honor clown roots Two troupers take a darkly comic view of success|page=C5|work=Toronto Star}}</ref>

== Career == Cherniak co-founded Theatre Columbus with Martha Ross in 1984. Originally, the company was called The Gargoils.<ref name=":5" /> In 2015, Theatre Columbus changed their name to Common Boots Theatre.<ref>{{Cite web|title=About the Company|url=http://www.commonbootstheatre.ca/the-company/our-mandate/|access-date=2020-11-29|website=Common Boots Theatre|language=en}}</ref>

=== 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.<ref name=":6" />

=== Directorial credits ===

==== Theatre ==== * ''Up Against the Wallpaper'' – Nightwood Theatre (1989) * ''The Tell-Tale Heart'' – Theatre Columbus (1995)<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wagner|first=Vit|date=1995-08-18|title=Theatre forecast fair to good|page=D8|work=Toronto Star}}</ref> * ''Froth'' (1996)<ref>{{Cite news|last=Walker|first=Susan|date=1996-12-01|title=On the shopping block|page=B7|work=Toronto Star|issn=0319-0781}}</ref> * ''Three Birds Alighting on a Field'' – George Brown Theatre (2000)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kaplan|first=John|date=2000-11-16|title=Art Smarts|url=https://nowtoronto.com/culture/stage/adams-apples|access-date=2020-11-25|website=NOW Magazine}}</ref> * ''Lonely Nights and Other Stories'' – Theatre Columbus, co-directed with Maggie Huculak (2001)<ref>{{Cite news|last=Crew|first=Robert|date=2001-06-07|title=Actor navigates the mental map; Maggie Huculak continues to grow with Theatre Columbus|page=G07|work=Toronto Star}}</ref> * ''Rue Alridge'' – Tarragon Theatre (2004)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kaplan |first=Jon |author-link=Jon Kaplan (theatre critic) |date=2004-02-26 |title=Rune's tune |url=https://nowtoronto.com/culture/stage/runes-tune |access-date=2020-11-25 |website=NOW Magazine}}</ref> * ''Edward the "Crazy Man"'' – Lorraine Kimsa Theatre for Young People (2008)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Maga|first=Carly|date=2011-04-25|title=From the Street to the Storybook in Edward the "Crazy Man"|url=https://torontoist.com/2011/04/from_the_street_to_the_storybook_in_edward_the_crazy_man/|access-date=2020-11-26|website=Torontoist}}</ref> * ''6 Essential Questions'' – Factory Theatre (2014)<ref>{{Cite web|last=BWW News Desk|date=2014-03-01|title=Factory Theatre Presents World Premiere of 6 Essential Questions by Priscila Uppal, Now thru 3/30|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/toronto/article/Factory-Theatre-to-Present-World-Premiere-of-6-ESSENTIAL-QUESTIONS-by-Priscila-Uppal-31-30-20140228|access-date=2020-11-20|website=BroadwayWorld.com|language=en}}</ref> * ''Clown'' – Ryerson School of Performance (2018)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Eeswaran|first=Xavier|date=2018-10-30|title=Clowns aren't all fun and games for Ryerson's actors|url=https://theeyeopener.com/2018/10/clowns-arent-all-fun-and-games-for-ryersons-actors/|access-date=2020-11-20|website=The Eyeopener|language=en-US}}</ref> * ''The Ward Cabaret'' – Harbourfront Centre Theatre (2020), co-directed with David Buchbinder<ref>{{Cite web|last=Teodoro|first=Jose|date=2019-12-18|title=The Ward Cabaret is a vibrant celebration of cultural diversity through music|url=https://nowtoronto.com/culture/musicals/the-ward-cabaret-david-buchbinder-marjorie-chan-2|access-date=2020-11-20|website=NOW Magazine}}</ref> * ''Perpetual Archaeology'' – Crow's Theatre written by and starring Alex Bulmer (June 2023)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wild |first=Stephi |date=2022-06-01 |title=Crow's Theatre Announces 2022-23 Season |url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/toronto/article/Crows-Theatre-Announces-2022-23-Season-20220601 |access-date=2022-11-29 |website=BroadwayWorld.com |language=en}}</ref>

==== Film ==== * ''Things Dead People Say –'' short film (2020)<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sumi|first=Glenn|date=2020-07-01|title=8 Fringe Collective artists to watch (or hear)|url=https://nowtoronto.com/culture/theatre/8-toronto-fringe-collective-2020-artists-to-watch-or-hear|access-date=2020-11-20|website=NOW Magazine}}</ref>

=== Acting credits ===

==== Theatre ==== {| class="wikitable" !Year !Show !Role !Notes !Ref. |- |1995 |''The Attic, The Pearls, and Three Fine Girls'' |Jelly | |<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|last=Taylor|first=Kate|date=1995-03-03|title=A remarkable balancing act of comedy and drama|page=D9|work=The Globe and Mail}}</ref> |- |2015 |''The Dybbuk, Or Between Two Worlds'' |Frayde | |<ref>{{Cite web|last=Kaplan|first=Jon|date=2015-05-26|title=Review: The Dybbuk|url=https://nowtoronto.com/review-the-dybbuk|access-date=2020-11-20|website=NOW Magazine}}</ref> |- |2018 |''Animal Farm'' |Bessie | |<ref>{{Cite web|last=Maga|first=Carly|date=2018-03-17|title=Desire for comedy trumps message in Soulpepper adaptation of Orwell classic Animal Farm|url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/stage/2018/03/16/desire-for-comedy-trumps-message-in-soulpepper-adaptation-of-orwell-classic-animal-farm.html|access-date=2020-11-20|website=Toronto Star|language=en}}</ref> |- |2019 |''Scadding'' |Ensemble | |<ref name=":8">{{Cite web|last=Sumi|first=Glenn|date=2019-07-06|title=Fringe review: Scadding|url=https://nowtoronto.com/culture/theatre/fringe-review-scadding-2019-2|access-date=2020-11-25|website=NOW Magazine}}</ref> |}

== Plays == * ''Until We Part'' – co-written with Martha Ross<ref name=":5" /> * ''The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine'' – co-written with Robert Morgan and Martha Ross<ref>{{Cite web|last=Morrow|first=Martin|date=2016-02-09|title=Cowboy Versus Samurai, Ernest Versus Ernestine|url=https://torontoist.com/2016/02/cowboy-versus-samurai-ernest-versus-ernestine/|access-date=2020-11-17|website=Torontoist}}</ref> * ''Still Clowning'' – co-written with Martha Ross<ref>{{Cite news|last=Wagner|first=Vit|date=March 16, 1994|title=Still: it's exclusive clowning|page=D1|work=Toronto Star}}</ref> * ''The Fragments'' – co-written with Suvendrini Lena and Trevor Schwellnus<ref>{{Cite web|last=McKeown|first=Lisa|date=2019-11-24|title=Here Are The Fragments is a powerful immersive show|url=https://nowtoronto.com/culture/theatre/here-are-the-fragments-ect-collective-theatre-centre-2|access-date=2020-11-17|website=NOW Magazine}}</ref> * ''The Theory of Relatives'' – co-written with Daniel Brooks, Diane Flacks, Richard Greenblatt, Leslie Lester, and Allan Merovitz<ref name=":9" /> * ''The Attic, The Pearls, and Three Fine Girls'' – co-written with Jennifer Brewin, Martha Ross, Ann-Marie MacDonald, and Alisa Palmer<ref name=":4" /> * ''More Fine Girls'' – co-written with Brewin, Ross, MacDonald, and Palmer, sequel to ''The Attic, The Pearls, and Three Fine Girls''<ref>{{Cite news|last=Nestruck|first=J. Kelly|date=2011-03-09|title=They can go home again|page=R1|work=The Globe and Mail}}</ref> * ''Scadding'' ' co-created with Jennifer Brewin, Alex Bulmer, Khadijah Roberts-Abdullah, John Gzowski, Maggie Huculak, Anand Rajaram, Jenny Salisbury and Stephon Smith<ref name=":8" /> * ''The Betrayal'' – co-written with Oliver Dennis, Maggie Huculak, Robert Morgan, Martha Ross and Michael Simpson<ref name=":10" />

== Awards == {| class="wikitable" |+ !Year !Award !Category !Work !Results !Notes !Ref. |- |1987 | rowspan="5" |Dora Mavor Moore Awards – Small Theatre |Best Production |''Fertility'' |{{won}} |with Martha Ross |<ref>{{Cite news|last=Conlogue|first=Ray|date=1987-06-23|title=Mikado, B-Movie big Dora winners|page=D8|work=The Globe and Mail}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |1988 |Outstanding Direction | rowspan="2" |''The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine'' |{{nom}} | | rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite news|last=Crew|first=Robert|date=1988-05-11|title=CentreStage play tops Dora Award nominees|page=C1|work=Toronto Star}}</ref> |- |Outstanding New Play |{{nom}} | |- |1989 | rowspan="2" |Outstanding Direction |''Paranoia'' |{{nom}} | |<ref>{{Cite news|last=Vinceni|first=Isabel|date=1989-05-13|title=And the Dora nominees are|page=C6|work=The Globe and Mail}}</ref> |- |1990 |''Dr. Dapertutto'' |{{nom}} | |<ref>{{Cite news|last=Conlogue|first=Ray|date=1990-05-15|title=Dora nominations harvested from sparse crop of new plays|page=A19|work=Globe and Mail}}</ref> |- |1991 |Dora Mavor Moore Awards ''–'' Ancillary awards |Pauline McGibbon Award |N/A |{{won}} | |<ref>{{Cite news|last=Friedlander|first=Mira|date=1991-06-23|title=Awards spotlight theatre's top talent|page=C1|work=Toronto Star}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |1994 |Floyd S. Chalmers Canadian Play Award |General Theatre | rowspan="2" |''The Theory of Relatives'' |{{nom}} | rowspan="2" |with Daniel Brooks, Diane Flacks, Richard Greenblatt, Leslie Lester, Allan Merovitz |<ref name=":9">{{Cite news|last=Chapman|first=Geoff|date=1994-03-08|title=One-man show in running for Chalmers play prize|page=F5|work=Toronto Star}}</ref> |- | rowspan="3" |Dora Mavor Moore Awards – Small Theatre |Outstanding New Play |{{Nom}} |<ref>{{Cite news|date=1994-05-18|title=Dora nominations list|page=D19|work=Toronto Star}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |1995 |Outstanding Performance by a Female–Play | rowspan="3" |''The Attic, The Pearls, and Three Fine Girls'' |{{nom}} | | rowspan="2" |<ref>{{Cite news|date=1995-05-13|title=Nominations for '95 Dora Awards|page=J13|work=Toronto Star}}</ref> |- |Outstanding New Play or Musical |{{nom}} | rowspan="2" |with Ann-Marie MacDonald, Martha Ross with Alisa Palmer, Jennifer Brewin |- | rowspan="2" |1996 |Floyd S. Chalmers Canadian Play Award |General Theatre |{{nom}} |<ref>{{Cite news|last=Crew|first=Robert|date=1996-03-14|title=New writers contest Chalmers play awards|page=D4|work=Toronto Star}}</ref> |- | rowspan="2" |Dora Mavor Moore Awards – General Theatre |Outstanding Direction |''The Diary of Anne Frank'' |{{nom}} | |<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kirchhoff|first=H J|date=1996-05-17|title=Harbourfront Centre tops Dora list: Captures 23 nominations, Canadian Stage is second with 17|page=C5|work=The Globe and Mail}}</ref> |- |1998 |Outstanding Direction of a Play | rowspan="2" |''The Betrayal'' |{{nom}} | |<ref>{{Cite news|date=1998-05-27|title=Dora Award nominees|work=Toronto Start}}</ref> |- |1999 |Floyd S. Chalmers Canadian Play Award |General Theatre |{{won}} |co-winner with Oliver Dennis, Maggie Huculak, Robert Morgan, Martha Ross and Michael Simpson |<ref name=":10">{{Cite news|last=Wagner|first=Vit|date=1999-05-18|title=Eighth Chalmers for Walker; Playwright wins national arts award second year in a row|work=The Toronto Star|issn=0319-0781}}</ref> |- |2003 |Dora Mavor Moore Awards – General Theatre |Outstanding Direction of a Play |''The Miracle Worker'' |{{nom}} | |<ref>{{Cite news|date=2003-05-22|title=Dora Award nominees|page=A35|work=Toronto Star}}</ref> |- |2005 |Dora Mavor Moore Awards – Independent Theatre |Outstanding Direction of a Play |''The Anger in Ernest and Ernestine'' |{{nom}} | |<ref>{{Cite news|date=2005-06-09|title=2005 Dora Award nominees|page=A23|work=Toronto Star}}</ref> |}

== References == {{reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cherniak, Leah}} Category:Living people Category:University of Toronto alumni Category:Academic staff of Toronto Metropolitan University Category:Academic staff of the National Theatre School of Canada Category:Academic staff of George Brown Polytechnic Category:L'École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq alumni Category:20th-century Canadian dramatists and playwrights Category:21st-century Canadian dramatists and playwrights Category:Canadian women dramatists and playwrights Category:1956 births Category:Canadian theatre directors Category:Canadian women theatre directors Category:Dora Mavor Moore Award winners Category:20th-century Canadian women writers Category:21st-century Canadian women writers