Leigh Curran is a writer/performer and from 1991-2013 was the Founder/Artistic Director of the Virginia Avenue Project, a non-profit using long term Theatre Arts mentoring to give underserved children life skills. Leigh began her career as an actress appearing on, off and way off Broadway, on TV and in films. In 1978 she began writing plays. Her first, "The Lunch Girls," was directed by Arvin Brown at the Long Wharf Theatre and was a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Award. It was later produced Off-Off Broadway with Stuart Ross directing. "Alterations" was produced at the WPA Theatre Off-Broadway, directed by Austin Pendleton and featured Cynthia Nixon and Gretchen Cryer. "Walking the Blonde" was directed by Paul Benedict at Circle Rep at and later by Leonard Foglia at La Mama in NYC. Leigh’s solo show, “Why Water Falls” was produced in LA and NYC in 2015/16 directed by Mary Pat Gleason. Her first novel, "Going Nowhere Sideways," was published by Fithian Press. Her one-acts have been produced in NYC, LA and Melbourne, AU. “Body Beautiful, " her most recent endeavor was in the Fountain Theatre's FemFest in January, 2019 and was workshopped - also at the Fountain Theatre, the following June.
Currently in between literary agents.
Plays
Arno, a middle-aged, lesbian gallery owner in NYC, loses her dog and breaks up with her lover and moves to New Mexico to start her life over. In every scene of the play she tries to scatter the ashes of her dog but can't complete the ceremony until she resolves things with her former lover.
A novelist has to write something personal and, in the process comes face to face with the consequences of her ambivalence about motherhood.
A play about love, aging, loyalty and the mind-body connection. Thayer and Emma used to be married then split up when Thayer realized he was gay. They forged a close friendship out of the ashes and when the play begins they are in their early 70s and single so they decide to move in together to take care of each other in their old age then Thayer, unexpectedly falls in love with a trans man and all hell breaks loose.
In 1969, seven waitresses in a private men's key club (like the Bunny Club only with a gay nineties feel) struggle with what it means to be sexy in order to earn a living as the Woman's Movement catches on in the outside world. Published by Samuel French www.samuelfrench.com
Erica, a strong minded costume designer, caught between the needs of her elderly mother and her teenage daughter who wants to live with her guru, crashes and burns and ultimately finds a more loving way forward. Published by Samuel French - www.samuelfrench.com