Commissioned to write lyrics about actor Sarah Rose Davis for The 5th Avenue Theatre Fifteen Minute Stories project spring 2021 with prompt: My first real wish. Wrote 3-part song cycle (music by Annastasia Workman) "Waiting for Spring"
Book & lyrics for musical adaptation of Phoebe Wahl's children's book Sonya's Chickens for The 5th Avenue Theatre 2018 Adventure Musical Theatre tour to Pacific Northwest elementary schools. Adapted to digital presentation in 2020
Original lyrics for As You Like It Seattle Shakespeare Company’s 2019 production
Selected for The 5th Avenue Theatre’s 2018 First Draft Story Summit one-week residency & pitch to industry leaders, wrote story & lyrics for CRIME! to MUSIC: The story of the longest running, least attended off-off-off Broadway musical in history
Original songs selected for Village Theatre’s Northwest Songwriters Showcase:
2017: “Every Day” from new musical When She’s Gone (book & lyrics, music by Nathan Young)
2015: “What Makes Life Complete” from Harriet the Spy the Musical, a musical adaptation of Louise Fitzhugh’s children’s book (book & lyrics, music by Nathan Young)
Original song “Be You” performed at Village Theatre’s KIDSTAGE graduation ceremony from Harriet the Spy the Musical, a musical adaptation of Louise Fitzhugh’s children’s book (book & lyrics, music by Nathan Young)
Leslie is a writer & lyricist residing in the Pacific Northwest. Her stories often feature interpersonal relationships and overcoming circumstances with optimism. Or a squirrel finding a taco. Or both.
Leslie has a penchant for young audiences because they invest with magical abandon. She plants seeds of humanity in her stories in the hope of increasing consideration and connection.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Seattle Pacific University where she graduated Alpha Kappa Sigma and enjoyed a dynamic career in marketing, public relations & communications at the Seattle and Kirkland Chambers of Commerce, Northwest Flower & Garden Show, Seattle SCORES after school literacy program and an independent consultant for Everett Boat Show, Skagit Valley Chamber Executives Association, Festival of Family Farms, Potato Chef and more.
For the last decade, Leslie focused on playwriting and completed 2 musicals, 42 songs, a play, a book in hand live children's storytelling series called Tail Stories as well as acting and directing throughout the Pacific Northwest. She’s a member of the Thomas Parker Society writing group and the Dramatists Guild.
Leslie loves to get up before the chickens, long walks, coffee, gathering friends, stargazing and laughter.
