Leslie Ayvazian is an
Armenian
Armenian may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to Armenia, a country in the South Caucasus region of Eurasia
* Armenians, the national people of Armenia, or people of Armenian descent
** Armenian Diaspora, Armenian communities across the ...
award-winning playwright and character actress.
[High Dive by Leslie Ayvazian]
New Theatre, January 28 - February 13, 2011.
Biography
Ayvazian is the recipient of the
Roger L. Stevens (1994) and
Susan Smith Blackburn Prize
The Susan Smith Blackburn Prize established in 1978, is the largest and oldest playwriting prize for women+ writing for English-speaking theatre. Named for Susan Smith Blackburn (1935–1977), alumna of Smith College, who died of breast cancer.
W ...
(1996) for her work ''Nine Armenians'', which was produced at
Manhattan Theatre Club
Manhattan Theatre Club (MTC) is a theatre company located in New York City, affiliated with the League of Resident Theatres. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Lynne Meadow and Executive Producer Barry Grove, Manhattan Theatre Club has g ...
. She also received a fellowship from the New Jersey Council of the Arts and assistance from the New Harmony Writers Project in developing the play. Her numerous works have been produced off-Broadway, in major regional theatres, and in Poland and Slovakia. Most recently, the
Atlantic Theater Company
Atlantic Theater Company is an Off-Broadway non-profit theater, whose mission is to produce great plays "simply and truthfully utilizing an artistic ensemble." The company was founded in 1985 by David Mamet, William H. Macy, and 30 of their act ...
produced her play "Make Me" as part of their 2008-2009 Stage 2 season.
In addition to her writing achievements, Ayvazian is an accomplished actress and teacher. She has also appeared in the films ''
Working Girl
''Working Girl'' is a 1988 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Mike Nichols, written by Kevin Wade, and starring Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver, and Melanie Griffith. Its plot follows an ambitious secretary from Staten Island who t ...
'', ''
Alice'' and ''
Regarding Henry
''Regarding Henry'' is a 1991 American drama film directed by Mike Nichols and written by J.J. Abrams. It stars Harrison Ford as a New York City lawyer from a dysfunctional family, who struggles to regain his memory and recover his speech and mo ...
'', and is a recurring guest star in the ''
Law and Order franchise''.
Ayvazian is currently an adjunct professor at the graduate school of
Columbia University
Columbia University (also known as Columbia, and officially as Columbia University in the City of New York) is a private research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Church in Manhatt ...
.
Plays
*''Deaf Day''
*''High Dive''
*''Lovely Day''
*''Mama Drama''
*''Nine Armenians''
*''Plan Day''
*''Singer's Boy''
*''Twenty Four Years''
*''Make Me''
*''Lost in Yonkers''
[Leslie Ayvazian]
Internet Broadway Database
*''A Naked Girl on the Appian Way''
[
*''High Dive''][
]
Selected filmography
*''Working Girl
''Working Girl'' is a 1988 American romantic comedy-drama film directed by Mike Nichols, written by Kevin Wade, and starring Harrison Ford, Sigourney Weaver, and Melanie Griffith. Its plot follows an ambitious secretary from Staten Island who t ...
'' (1988), as Dewey Stone Reception Guest
*'' Me and Him'' (1988), as Paramedic
*''Ask Me Again'' (1989), as Maxine
*'' Alice'' (1990), uncredited
*''Regarding Henry
''Regarding Henry'' is a 1991 American drama film directed by Mike Nichols and written by J.J. Abrams. It stars Harrison Ford as a New York City lawyer from a dysfunctional family, who struggles to regain his memory and recover his speech and mo ...
'' (1991), uncredited
TV appearances
*''CBS Schoolbreak Special
''CBS Schoolbreak Special'' is an American anthology series for teenagers that aired on CBS from December 1978 to January 1996. The series began under the title ''CBS Afternoon Playhouse'', and was changed during the 1984–85 season. The concept ...
''
:''Flour Babies'' (1990), as Mrs. Emerson
*''American Playhouse
''American Playhouse'' is an American anthology television series periodically broadcast by Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).
Overview
It premiered on January 12, 1982, with ''The Shady Hill Kidnapping'', written and narrated by John Cheever an ...
''
* The Sunset Gang'' (''The Home'' segment, 1991)
*'' Law & Order''
:''Jurisdiction'' (1993), as Korolek
:''House Counsel'' (1995), as Priscilla Lempert
:''Homesick'' (1996), as Mrs. Karmel
*''Law & Order: Criminal Intent
''Law & Order: Criminal Intent'' is an American police procedural Drama (film and television), drama television series set in New York City, where it was also primarily produced. Created and Executive producer#Motion pictures and television, p ...
''
:'' Gone'' (2005), as Ruth Stockton
*'' Law & Order: Special Victims Unit'', as Judge Valdera
:''Limitations'' (2000)
:''Baby Killer'' (2000)
:''Abuse'' (2001)
:''Ridicule'' (2001)
:''Resilience'' (2002)
*'' The Jury''
:''Mail Order Mystery'' (2004), as Lynette Bradwell
References
External links
Armenian General Benevolent Union
Broadway World entry
*
*
New Jersey Theater
{{DEFAULTSORT:Ayvazian, Leslie
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
Columbia University faculty
American film actresses
American television actresses
20th-century American actresses
American women academics
21st-century American women