Leah Cherniak

Leah Cherniak is an indispensable member of The Shoe Project.  As our innovative voice and drama coach for almost a decade, she has worked patiently with the participants so that they can deliver their personal stories confidently on a public stage.

Leah is an award-winning director, playwright, actor, and teacher. After receiving her BA from the University of Toronto in 1979, she studied theatre at Ecole Jacques Lecoq, a drama school in Paris. She co-founded Theatre Columbus (now Common Boots Theatre) and has been the theatre’s co-artistic director with Martha Ross for over 25 years.

As a director, Leah has been associated with various Canadian theatres, including the National Arts Centre, Tarragon Theatre, Soulpepper Theatre, the Blyth Theatre Festival, and Montreal’s Saidye Bronfman Centre. As a teacher, she has taught in theatre programs at the University of Toronto, George Brown College–and Ryerson University where she runs an intensive clown course. 

The Toronto Shoe Project women feel fortunate to be guided by someone with Leah’s level of dedication and expertise.