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JILLIAN LEFF
CHICAGO-BASED ACTOR | PLAYWRIGHT
JILLIAN LEFF (she/her) is a Chicago based actor, playwright, and stage combat nerd. She is originally from Cleveland, OH and holds a BFA in Acting from Ball State University. In addition to working with different theatres across the city, she is an Ensemble Member and Literary Manager of Babes With Blades Theatre Company, and an Advanced Actor Combatant with the Society of American Fight Directors. When she isn't focused on the acting and writing thing, she can most likely be found binging a TV Show or eating potatoes. Find her on the internet @jilleleff.
About
RECENT NEWS
OCTOBER 28, 2024
Rehearsals begin for FLUSH by Juwon Tyrel Perry. Jillian is playing "Butch Lesbian" in this world premiere produced by Campfire Repertory Theatre.
OCTOBER 19 - NOVEMBER 23, 2024
Run of A Midsummer Night's Dream with Babes With Blades Theatre Company. Jillian was the Fight Director for this production.
OCTOBER 12, 2024
Jillian is cast as "Butch Lesbian" in the World Premiere of FLUSH by Juwon Tyrel Perry, directed by Christian Alexander. The show is being produced by Campfire Repertory Theatre, and will run at Chicago Dramatists from November 21 - December 8.
SEPTEMBER 30 - OCTOBER 21, 2024
Jillian is enrolled in a Performing Shakespeare Acting Intensive, taught by Nathan Winkelstein, Associate Artistic Director of Red Bull Theater in New York.
SEPTEMBER 29, 2024
Jillian takes a class on Stage Blood Effects taught by Stunt/Fight Coordinator and Founder of Gravity & Momentum, Greg Poljacik. The class was put on by Open Gate Movement Arts.
AUGUST 27, 2024
Jillian's play The Mark is announced as a Finalist for the 2023 - 2024 Henley Rose Playwright Competition for Women.
News
Resume
ACTING RESUME
HEIGHT: 5'3" EYES: Brown HAIR: Black
BALL STATE UNIVERSITY BFA Acting, Cum Laude
STAGE COMBAT Advanced Actor Combatant - The Society of American Fight Directors
MEISNER Technique & Scene Study
THEATRE
Jane: Abortion and the Underground*
Cymbeline
Richard III
Women of 4G
Last Night in Karaoke Town
Missed Opportunities
The Good Fight
She Kills Monsters
Twelfth Night
The Fairytale Lives of Russian Girls
Goddam Geniuses
Women
MacSith
Anon(ymous)
Peter/Wendy
Heather Booth
Cornelius/Others/Fight Captain
Buckingham/Fight Captain
Ensign Pierce/Fight Captain
Shawn
Max
Cicely
Tilly
Valentine/Musician/Priest
Annie
Erwin Schrodinger
Beth/Carl
Witch
Calista/Serza
Lost Boy/Fight Captain
Idle Muse Theatre Company
Midsommer Flight
Babes With Blades
Babes With Blades
The Factory Theater
Cuckoo's Theater Project
Babes With Blades
Cuckoo's Theater Project
Midsommer Flight
Cuckoo's Theater Project
Runaways Lab Theatre
Cuckoo's Theater Project
E.D.G.E. Theatre
Cuckoo's Theater Project
Cuckoo's Theater Project
* - Jeff Nomination: Ensemble - Play (2024)
DOWNLOAD MY RESUMES
Writing
WRITING
THE S PARADOX
-Winner of Babes With Blades Theatre Company's Joining Sword & Pen Competition / Margaret W. Martin Award (2022)
-World Premiere with Babes With Blades (2024)
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SMALL WORLD
Co-Written with Joe Lino
-Jeff Award Nominee for New Work (2020)
-World Premiere with The New Coordinates (2019)
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MISSED OPPORTUNITIES
-World Premiere with The Cuckoo's Theater Project (2019)
-West Cost Premiere with Loft Ensemble (Los Angeles, CA) (2023)
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(NON)FICTION
-World Premiere with The Right Brain Project (2019)
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SHORT PLAYS
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CONTACT ME
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