Austin, TX 78745 | 512-656-1740 | Lana.Lesley@Gmail.Com

Lana Lesley 500 Rhonda Court | Austin, TX 78745 | 512-656-1740 | [email protected]

BIOGRAPHY

A Co-Founder and Co-Producing Artistic Director for Rude Mechanicals, Lesley has worked as a collaborator, producer, and actor on over thirty original Rude Mechs productions, including, most recently, Field Guide, Now Now Oh Now, Stop Hitting Yourself, I’ve Never Been So Happy, and The Method Gun. With Rude Mechs, Lana has performed at international festivals including Galway Arts Festival, Kiasma Festival, Szene Salzburg, Edinburgh Fringe (Winner – Total Theater Award for Best New Play by an Ensemble), Philadelphia Live Arts, UCLA Live!, and Bumbershoot, and to national venues including the Walker Art Center, Woolly Mammoth Theatre, Wexner Center for the Arts, On The Boards, and DiverseWorks. With Ann Bogart’s SITI Company, Lesley toured in their piece systems/layers to Utah State University and the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts. With the T.E.A.M., Lesley toured in their piece, Architecting, to the Barbican’s B.I.T.E. Festival (London), Culturgest (Lisbon), The Arches (Glasgow), and Theatre Junction GRAND (Calgary). As a professional voice-over artist, Lana has been featured in numerous film and television anime productions and Sony Pictures online video games. For Rude Mechs, Lana co-directed and performed in I’ve Never Been So Happy, co-created, co-directed, and performed in Match-Play, adapted, and directed don b’s Snow White, and directed Shelley’s Prometheus Unbound (Act I), and Grainings by Kirk Lynn. Lana co-founded the Grrl Action 2000 outreach program, serving as an instructor, co-Director and producer. Lana has taught theatre to young people in Rude Mechs' “Partners in Education” program at Travis High School, and as a Drama Consultant to the theatre departments of both Travis High School and the Texas School for the Blind. Lana has also lead workshops in Movement and Performing Shakespeare for the American Institute for Learning’s at-risk theatre group, “Cultural Warriors.” Lana has received over thirty nominations and awards for her work as an actor and director, and was selected “Best Actor/Actress” in Austin by the Austin Chronicle 2002 and 2004 Readers’ Polls, and as one of “Austin’s Most Valuable Players on the Stage” by Austin Chronicle critics. Dutch composer Micha Hamel selected Lana’s adaptation of Donald Barthelme’s Snow White as the source for his original opera commissioned by Nationale Reisopera Enschede. Lana’s most recent projects include her NEA-awarded original theatrical production, Design for Everyone, featuring her band, Grageriart, and the publication of her graphic novel titled rude mechs’ Lipstick Traces, and Grageriart’s weekly micro-video series launched Nov. 2019, which Lesley co-directs, shoots, performs and edits. Lesley is looking forward to creating a new immersive project in the wild, Art Tramp and premiering new solo show, Six Cuts, in Rude Mechs 2020/2021 season.

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION

University of Texas, at Austin, 1991, Cum Laude Bachelor of Arts, French, Magna Cum Laude Major GPA: 3.98 Cumulative GPA: 3.58

Certified in Non-Profit Management, University of Texas, at Austin, 1998

Lana Lesley 500 Rhonda Court | Austin, TX 78745 | 512-656-1740 | [email protected]

WORK EXPERIENCE

Rude Mechanicals A Theatre Collective (74-2885150) Austin, Texas Co-Founder, Co-Producing Artistic Director January 1996 to present Business Manager January 1996 to present Marketing & Publicity Director 2004 to present Tour Production Manager 2010 to present Lecturer, University of Texas at Austin Fall 2018, Spring 2019 and 2020

DIRECTING / PLAYWRITING

Grageriart Design for Everyone co-Creator Grageriart Austin, TX Jul & Dec 2019 Grageriart Garage Art co-Creator Grageriart Austin, TX Nov. 2018 I’ve Never Been So Happy co-Director CTG Los Angeles, CA Oct. 2011 Match-Play co-Director Rude Mechs Austin, TX Sept. 2005 don b’s Snow White Adaptor / Director Rude Mechs Austin, TX April 1999 Grainings Director Rude Mechs Austin, TX Feb. 1998 Prometheus Unbound Ddirector Act I Rude Mechs Austin, TX April 1997

SELECT THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE CREDITS

Fixing the Last created by Rude Mechs in Austin, TX Katharine / Wolsey Henry (wip) Crashbox 2019 + Spring 2020 Austin, TX Nov. 2019 Design for Everyone created by Grageriart Performer / Co-Creator (wp) Crashbox Austin, TX Dec. 2019 (wip) Crashbox Austin, TX Jul. 2019 Garage Art created by Grageriart Performer / Co-Creator Rhonda Court Garage Perf. Space Austin, TX Nov 19- Jan 20 Field Guide created by Rude Mechs in Austin, TX Ensemble / Co-Creator (wp) Yale Repertory Theatre New Haven, CT Jan. 2018 The Off Center Austin, TX April 2016 Stop Hitting created by Rude Mechs in Austin, TX Ensemble / Co-Creator Yourself Cal Performances Berkeley, CA Nov. 2015 AT&T Performing Arts Center Dallas, TX May 2015 (wp) Lincoln Center Theatre / LCT3 New York, NY Jan 2014 The Off Center Austin, TX Sept. 2013 The Off Center Austin, TX April 2013 Match-Play created by Rude Mechs in Austin, TX Ensemble/Co-Director New York Live Arts New York, NY Oct. 2015 The Off Center Austin, TX Sept. 2005 Now Now Oh Now created by Rude Mechs in Austin, TX Ensemble / Co-Creator The Off Center Austin, TX Dec. 2015 Miami Light Project Miami, FL Feb. 2015 Fringe Arts Philadelphia, PA April 2015 Yale No Boundaries Festival New Haven, CT Dec. 2014 Contemporary Arts Center New Orleans, LA Nov. 2014 (wp) Duke University Durham, NC Sept. 2014 Lana Lesley 500 Rhonda Court | Austin, TX 78745 | 512-656-1740 | [email protected]

(wip) University of North Carolina Charlotte, NC June 2014 (wip) The Off Center Austin, TX May 2012 Architecting created by The T.E.A.M. (NY, NY) Margaret Mitchell Theatre Junction GRAND Calgary, Canada Fall 2010 Culgurgest Lisbon, Portugal Fall 2009 Bartican’s B.I.T.E. Festival London, England Fall 2009 the Arches Glasgow, Scotland Fall 2009 The Method Gun created by Rude Mechs in Austin, TX Ensemble / Co-Creator MATCH (Lott Entertainment) Houston, TX May 2016 ZSpace San Francisco, CA Nov. 2015 University of Texas Dept Theatre & Austin, TX Sept. 2014 Dance Miami-Dade College Miami, FL Feb. 2013 Vanderbilt University Nashville, TN Feb. 2013 Middlebury College Middlebury, VT Jan. 2013 Walker Arts Center Minneapolis, MN Jan. 2013 Brisbane Powerhouse World Theatre Brisbane, AUS Feb. 2012 Fest. PICA’s TBA Festival Portland, OR Sept. 2011 Philadelphia Live Arts Festival Philadelphia, PA Sept. 2011 Center Theatre Group / Under the Los Angeles, CA June 2011 Radar LA New York Live Arts (DTW) New York, NY March 2011 The Long Center for the Perf. Arts Austin, TX Dec. 2008 Yale University’s No Boundaries New Haven, CT Feb. 2011 Festival Wexner Center for the Arts Columbus, OH Oct. 2010 Arts Emerson, Emerson College Boston, MA Oct. 2010 (wp) Humana Festival of New American Plays Lousiville, KY Apr. 2010 (wip) The Off Center / Fusebox Festival Austin, TX Apr. 2009 (wip) Long Center for the Performing Arts Austin, TX Apr. 2008 I’ve Never Been So created by Rude Mechs in Austin, TX Co-Director/Performer Happy Center Theatre Group’s Kirk Douglas Los Angeles, CA Oct. 2011 Theatre (wp) (wip) The Off Center Austin, TX Apr. 2011 (wip) Arena Stage New Play Festival Washington, D.C. Jan. 2011 (wip) UT Musical Theatre Initiative Austin, TX June 2009 (wip) The Orchard Project Residency Saratoga, NY June 2009 Several WIP showings at The Off Center Austin TX 2007-2009 Get Your War On created by Rude Mechs in Austin, TX Ensemble / Co-Creator Kiasma Festival Helsinki, FI Oct. 2007 Bumbershoot Festival Seattle, WA Sept. 2007 Edinburgh Festival Edinburgh, Scotland Aug. 2007 Galway Arts Festival Galway, IE July 2007 Under the Radar Festival New York, NY Jan. 2007 Woolly Mammoth Theater Washington, DC Oct. 2006 DiverseWorks Houston, TX Sept. 2006 Ballroom Marfa Marfa, TX Sept. 2006 Philadelphia Live Arts Fest Philadelphia, PA Sept. 2006 (wp) The Off Center Austin, TX Sept. 2006 Lana Lesley 500 Rhonda Court | Austin, TX 78745 | 512-656-1740 | [email protected]

(wip) The Off Center Austin, TX May 2005 systems/layers created by SITI Company (NY, NY) Ensemble / Co-Creator Krannert Center for the Performing Arts Urbana, IL March 2005 (wp) Utah State Unviersity Logan, UT Sept. 2004 (wip) Skidmore College Saratoga, NY July 2004 Lipstick Traces created by Rude Mechs in Austin, TX Ensemble / Co-Creator SommerSzene Salzburg, Austria July 2003 UCLA Performing Arts* Los Angeles, CA, Oct. 2002 On The Boards* Seattle, WA Sept. 2002 Wexner Center for the Arts Columbus, OH Jan. 2002 Walker Art Center Minneapolis, MN Jan. 2002 Legion Arts Cedar Rapids, IA Jan. 2002 DiverseWorks Houston, TX Jan. 2002 The Ohio Theatre* (Foundry Theatre) New York, NY May 2001 (wip) The Off Center Austin, TX Sept. 2000 (wip) The Off Center Austin, TX Sept. 1999 The Ice Factory Festival (wip) New York, NY Aug. 1999

SELECT FILM ANIME GAME VOICE OVER CREDITS

DC Universe Online Video Game Lady Blackhawk Sony Productions Young Justice Video Game Dr. Serling Sony Productions Rocquette DC Universe Online Video Game Hawkgirl, Giganta Sony Productions Holy Hell Feature Film Hipster Freak Bayou Radio Prod. Let’s Get Married Video Short Voice Hillerbrand | Magsamen Wizard 101 Video Game Prof. Moolinda Kingsisle Wu Entertainment Dai Guard TDC. TV - Anime Ibuki Momoi ADV Films (lead) Gun Crazy: A Woman Film - Live Saki (lead) ADV Films Action Lost Universe TV – Anime Grandma (lead) ADV Films Nadia: The Secret of Blue Water Multiple Voices ADV Films TV – Anime Zone of Enders TV – Anime Rachel Links ADV Films Happy Lesson TV – Anime Yayoi ADV Films Nadia of the Mysterious Seas Film – Anime Tower of Babel ADV Films

SELECT AWARDS AND HONORS

University of Texas Humanities Institute – Community Sabbatical Research Grant Research generative role of actor in collaborative creation, 2006/2007

NEA, Lead Artist Design for Everyone (2018) Field Guide (2016) I’ve Never Been So Happy (2010) Lana Lesley 500 Rhonda Court | Austin, TX 78745 | 512-656-1740 | [email protected]

NEA New Play Development Program – Co-Director, I’ve Never Been So Happy (2009)

NEFA Theatre Pilot – Key Artist (Now Now Oh Now 2010)

Rockefeller MAP Fund Grant, Key Artist Field Guide (2013) Now Now Oh Now (2009) The Method Gun (2007) Match-Play (2005)

Creative Capital Foundation, Project Grantee (2007)

I’ve Never Been So Happy – co-Director, Producer, Performer "Outstanding Production" - 2011 B. Iden Payne Awards "Outstanding Direction" - 2011 B. Iden Payne Awards "Production of a Musical" - 2011 Austin Critics Table " Ensemble Performance" - 2011 Austin Critics Table "Top 9 Theatre Productions of 2009 That Did Ascend the Brightest Heaven of Invention" (honorable mention) - Austin Chronicle "Top 8 of '08" - Austin Chronicle "Top 10 Theatrical Treasures and Pleasures of 2008" - Austin Chronicle National Endowment for the Arts, New Play Development Program 2009

The Method Gun – co-creator, performer "Best of 2011" - Time Out New York "2011 Culture Award" - Scott Brown, New York Magazine "Best Touring Show of 2011" - Columbus Alive "Oustanding Director" - 2008 B. Iden Payne Awards "Top 9 Creative Arts, Ah, Things I Was Lucky Enough to Experience This Year" - Austin Chronicle "Top 10 Theatrical Treasures and Pleasures of 2008" - Austin Chronicle "In the arts, the Eight from '08" - Austin-American Statesman

“Best New Play by an Ensemble” Get Your War On Total Theater Award, Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 2007

“Outstanding Comedy”, Match-Play, Austin Critics Table Awards, 2006

“Best Theatre Company in Austin” Rude Mechanicals Austin Chronicle’s Reader Poll 2000, 2001 2002, 2003, 2004

“Best Actor/Actress” Austin Chronicle Readers Poll 2002, 2004

“Austin’s Most Valuable Players on the Stage” (Top 15) Austin Chronicle 2002 Lana Lesley 500 Rhonda Court | Austin, TX 78745 | 512-656-1740 | [email protected]

“Best Actress in a Comedy” Lipstick Traces Austin Critics Table Awards, 2001

Over 25 nominations /awards for acting work from B. Iden Payne Awards and Austin Critics Table

ACADEMIC / PANEL WORK

Master Class University of Iowa, March 2019 Master Class: “Fixing Shakespeare” (30 hour, one-week intensive)

Substitute Faculty University of Texas at Austin Dept. of Theatre and Dance, Sept. 2018 Class: “Fundamentals of Acting” (10 classes, 3 sections)

Master Class University of New Mexico, September 2017 Master Class: “Creating New Work” (one week)

Master Class Yale University, Dec. 2015 Master Class with Directing Students: “Creating Work from Scratch”

Guest Lecturer University of Texas at Austin Dept. of Theatre and Dance, Sept. 2015 Lecture: “Running a Not for Profit Arts Organization”

Resident Artist Duke University, September 2014 Several Workshops in Acting and Devising during two-week residency.

Guest Lecturer St. Edward’s University, Apr. 2011 Lecture / Workshop: “Running a Not for Profit Arts Organization”

Guest Lecturer Yale University, Feb. 2011 Lecture / Workshop: “Creating Work from Scratch”

Panelist Arena Stage NEA/NPDP Showcase Panel, Jan. 2011 Performance: I’ve Never Been So Happy Panel Discussion: Artists Talk Process (New Works Convening)

Guest Lecturer Ohio State University, Oct. 2010 Lecture: “What It’s Like to Run Your Own Company… in Texas”

Guest Artist The University of Texas New Musical Initiative, July 2009 2-week workshop with students creating I’ve Never Been So Happy culminating in public performance.

Funding Panelist Mellon Foundation / NYFA, 2008

Guest Lecturer The University of Texas, Third Age Seminar, October 2008 Lecture with Rude Mechs – “Making New Work” Lana Lesley 500 Rhonda Court | Austin, TX 78745 | 512-656-1740 | [email protected]

Funding Panelist MAP Fund, 2007

Guest Lecturer The University of Texas, Dept. of Theatre & Dance, April 2007 Two-Day Lecture with Rude Mechs – “Making New Work”

Guest Lecturer Temple University, Dept. of Theatre & Dance, September 2006 Lecture with Rude Mechs – “Making New Work”

Funding Panelist City of Austin Cultural Contracts 2016, 2006, 2004

Panelist Fresh Terrain: A Performance Theatre Festival, Jan. 22-26, 2003 Performance: Requiem for Tesla — Written by Kirk Lynn Panel Discussion: Entrepreneurial Strategies

Guest Lecturer The University of Ohio, Graduate Theatre Dept., January 2002 Lecture on Collaborative Theatre —“What It’s Like”

Guest Artist Texas School for the Blind, Spring Semester 2001 Master Class: Creation of Original Material

Faculty Rude Mechs’ Grrl Action Outreach Program for Teenaged Girls Summer 2000 Instructing Students in the Creation of Original Material

Guest Faculty Alternative Learning Center, Summer 1999 Instructing Cultural Warriors class in Performing Shakespeare

Panelist Romantic Drama in Place: Geography, Scene, Milieu—April 1998 Produced and Directed Performance: Prometheus Unbound Panel Discussion: Staging the Unstagable

Faculty Travis High School, Drama Department 1997-1998 School Year Drama Consultant in the Creation of Original Material

Selected Feature Articles

Brothers Karamazov Inspires Experimental, Far-Reaching “Field Guide” at Yale Hartford Courant | Christopher Arnott, January 2018

How Rude Mechs Built a Mountain to Scale American Theatre | Russell Dembin | June 2017

Lana Lesley 500 Rhonda Court | Austin, TX 78745 | 512-656-1740 | [email protected]

Stage Right: For 20 years, the Rude Mechs have been producing some of the most imaginitve original contemporary theater in the country. With this season being their last at The Off Center, they open up about their work and desire to remain in Austin. Austin Monthly | Sarah Thurmond | October 2016

Tap Dancing, Decadence, and a Queso Fountain arts + culture | Cate Blouke | April 2015

Singing, Dancing and Economics New York Times | Charles Isherwood | January 2014

Ayn Rand’s Excellent Adventure American Theatre | Russell Dembin | December 2013

The Rude Mechs: No Horses, But Lots of Tall Tales Los Angeles Times | Reed Johnson | October 2011

Many Methods to Collaborative Madness New York Times | Joan Anderman | February 2011

Madness in the Methods? Approaches to Theatre Training American Theatre | Eliza Bent | January 2008

Rude Mechanicals and Get Your War On Theatre Forum | Nicole Estvanik | Summer/Fall 2007

Tex Mechs Meet Punk Rock LA Weekly | Steven Mikulan | October 10, 2002

Tracing “Lipstick Traces” Pulse (Minneapolis) | Ed Felien | January 22, 2002

How Can the Theatre Make Itself Matter Again? New York Times | Margo Jefferson | July 22, 2001

On Stage and Off: Play of the Century New York Times | Jesse McKinley | March 9, 2001

Anarchy in the Southwest American Theatre Magazine | November 1999

Selected National/International Reviews

Politics, Song, Dance and Cheese: Stop Hitting Yourself Ties it Together with Fun Dallas Observer | Carline North | May 29, 2015

Cheese Whizzes Theatre Jones | Mark Lowry | May 30, 2015

Theatre Review: 4 stars Time Out New York | David Cote | January 28, 2014

I’ve Never Been So Happy Theatre Review: I’ve Never Been So Happy at the Kirk Douglas Theatre Los Angeles Times | Charles McNulte | October 10, 2011

I’ve Never Been So Happy Entertainment Weekly | John Young | October 11, 2011

The Method Gun Theatre Review: The Method Gun at the Kirk Douglas Theatre Los Angeles Times | Charles McNulte | June 16, 2011