But don’t let that Southern drawl fool you, at the age of 11, Leigh was cast in her first national commercial as a voice over artist and has been working professionally in theatre, film and television ever since. Leigh attended the University of Tennessee where she studied Theatre at the university’s LORT, Clarence Brown Theatre. Prior to graduation, Leigh was offered her Equity Membership Candida
cy and later began performing as a resident artist at the Bijou Musical Theatre in Knoxville, Tennessee. In 2002, Leigh was promoted as the Bijou’s Director of Education and was instrumental in creating and developing acting, dance, and voice classes in theatre and film as well as producing and directing award-winning Theatre for Young Audiences that toured across the South. Her husband’s transfer to Norfolk, VA would lead Leigh to Virginia Stage Company (VSC), where she would perform and also head their Education and Outreach Department. In addition to her work at VSC, Leigh was a writer and director of countless children’s plays with the Virginia Beach Theatre For Kids/Teens and she taught acting, voice, and audition technique at several schools and organizations, most notably: The Governor School for the Arts, Virginia Ballet, The Chrysler Museum, Hampton Roads Military Bases, the YMCA and the Boys and Girls Club of America. In 2008, her family relocated to the DC area. Since moving to Loudoun County, Leigh has taught at Loudoun Arts Center, Steuart Weller and Selden’s Landing Elementary schools, she currently has 15 private vocal and acting students, and will be developing the acting curriculum for the acclaimed Studio Bleu Dance Center in the Fall 2015. Leigh’s tapestry of work in all aspects of the industry, has allowed her to bring enthusiasm, deep understanding, and a method for success in the “biz” to her students. Leigh founded The fACTORy in 2015 and is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors Equity Association.