Bio

Dr. Leigh Jonaitis earned a BFA (Musical Theatre) and a BA (English) from the University of Michigan and an MA and EdD from Columbia University Teachers College. Recent directorial credits include Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl, The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler, The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe, and Radium Girls by D.W. Gregory. She wrote and directed Hunterdon, a play about attempts to ban LGBTQIA+ books. She has also devised and directed two works of verbatim theatre with Christine Eubank: The Body in Conversation, a piece culled from student voices about women’s experiences; and Coming to Jones Road / The Ancestor Journeys, inspired by the artwork and writing of Faith Ringgold. Acting roles include Kate in Dancing at Lughnasa, Dr. Charlotte in Falsettoland, Arlene in Baby, the Witch in Into the Woods, Sarah in Company, and Elizabeth Proctor in The Crucible.

Leigh performed regularly with guitarist Larry Newcomb and recorded vocals on Newcomb’s album Living Tribute with jazz guitarist Bucky Pizzarelli. Leigh has published articles in Teaching English in the Two-Year College, the Journal of Basic Writing, and Research and Teaching in Developmental Education. She has served in multiple leadership roles for the Two-Year College English Association (TYCA)-Northeast, and was elected to the position of National Secretary for TYCA. She has served as Professor of Theatre and English at Bergen Community College since 2000.