JULIA
LEYRIS
Stage Director
About
Stage director, producer, drama instructor, actress...
I embarked on my theater journey at the age of 7,
beginning professional stage acting by 12.
My understanding of performing arts was honed through hands-on experience.
After obtaining a baccalaureate in Living Arts & Literature in Paris,
I pursued theoretical studies at the Faculty of Nanterre
and practical training at the Areact European School in Paris.
At 25, I founded my own theater company, La Troupe du Petit Paris,
and achieved the rare honor of securing the moral rights to adapt
Jean Cocteau's La Voix Humaine in 2010.
Driven by a passion to explore diverse cultures, I traveled, worked, and lived
in several countries across me across Europe, India, and Southeast Asia.
I lived in Cambodia for five years, where I directed seven theater productions,
produced multiple concerts, and staged the country's first-ever classical opera.
Since returning to Europe, I have worked across several countries and served as an executive producer in Mozambique. I have also staged productions in the Netherlands. For the past three years, I have been a stage director in Switzerland, working with companies like La Paternelle in Lausanne.
Work Experiences
Stage director & instructor
(France - Cambodia)
For over two decades, I've been immersed in the world of acting in France, as an Actress, and as a Stage Director my passion lies in unlocking people's full potential. I guide them through self-confidence building using body work, elocution, breathing techniques, and mindfulness. I have supported opera singers, actors and musicians in preparing for auditions, film shoots and stage productions using a variety of theatre techniques. I have also assisted people from a variety of backgrounds to prepare for meetings, public speaking seminars and oral exams. Working with teenagers is essential for me, allowing them to find ways to explore and express their emotions, desires, dreams and imagination and thus equipping them with useful tools to take care of themselves, their relationship with others and with society, so that they can flourish, feel confident and contribute to a brighter future.
Stage Director of La Paternelle
(Switzerland 2023)
The Wizard of Oz (in preparation) written by Marilou Rytz, based on novel written by author L. Frank Baum. Performance at Théâtre de Beaulieu, Lausanne December 2024.
Heidi, A show written by Jad Makki, based on the novels Heidi and Encore Heidi by Johanna Spyri. Performance at Théâtre de Beaulieu, Lausanne 2023.
Stage Director of The Sérum Company
(Netherland 2021-2022)
Les Femmes Savantes, adaptation of Molière's comedy to celebrate its 400th anniversary. Performance in The Hague in November 2022.
Les Liaisons Dangereuses, free adaptation and direction after the novel by P. Choderlos de Laclos, adapted for the stage by C. Letailleur. Project started in 2020, postponed due to the Covid pandemic, worked via Zoom for a modern and up-to-date adaptation. Performed on November 17, 18 and 20, 2021 at In Het Koorenhuis in The Hague, NL.
Stage Director of The Patétics
(Switzerland 2022)
Palace, project under construction. Performances in September 2024
Le Grand Projet, a free adaptation of an original comedy by the Patétics and A. Karamisaris. Performances in Echandens in September 2022.
Executive producer at Michael Laub / Remote Control Productions
(Europe - Africa, 2019 - 21)
Support the choreographer Michael Laub with the creation, publication and distribution of his book Rewind Song - release in August 2021 at ImpulsTanz Vienna International Dance Festival.
Assist with the creation of an artistic project involving the Companhia Nacional de Canto e Dança of Mozambique (including a 1-month trip to Mozambique in 2019).
Stage director at les Ateliers Français
(Slovakia, 2019)
Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme by Molière in partnership with the French Institute of Slovakia.
Producer & stage director of TTFPP
(Cambodia, 2014 - 18)
For the francophone theater company of Phnom Penh, I trained and managed the actors from various backgrounds (including those with no previous experience), handled all of the staging, dealt with all the logistic planning and arrangements (including lights and sound systems), organized the sponsorship campaigns, and more generally oversaw all of the organization prior and during our events.
Performances at the Department of Performing Arts Theater of the Ministry of Culture in Phnom Penh and in Siem Reap.
- 12 angry men by Reginal Rose, a rock musical adaptation (2018)
- The lesson by Ionesco, in partnership with the Phnom Penh Players (2018)
- The debauched by E.E. Schmitt (2017)
- Valognes night by E.E. Schmitt (2017)
- The three Musketeers by A. Dumas (2016)
- Don Juan comes back from the war by Odon Von Horvath (2016)
- 8 women by Robert Thomas (2015)
Stage-director and instructor for the drama course at the Lycée Français R. Descartes in Phnom Penh. I trained the students and helped them with expressive practice technics. I directed them to perform in:
- Migraaants by M. Visniec (2016-17)
- Lubna Cadiot by A. Allais (2017-18)
Production manager for Mozart at Angkor
(Cambodia, 2016 - 18)
A Cambodian Magic Flute a Mozart’s Opera, the first ever opera staged in Cambodia. A collaboration with international artists such as the Saigon Philharmonic Orchestra, Cambodians musicians and dancers from AMRITA performing Arts. Event jointly organized with the Royal University of Fines-Arts, The Ministry of Culture and Fine-Arts in Cambodia, Unesco, the European Union with Mozart At Angkor production. Two workshops 2015 & 2016 (March 2018 – first performance in Phnom Penh).
Casting manager
(Cambodia, 2016)
Fassbinder, Faust and the Anismists directed by Michael Laub / Remote Control Productions with Phare Ponleu Selpak NGO: I managed the international and local cast (18 people) and coordinated the shooting in DreamStudio in Phnom Penh and Kep Province.
Co - founder & Stage - director at la Troupe du Petit Paris
(France, 2010 - 13)
La Voix Humaine by J. Cocteau, adaptation, direction and production in collaboration with Aliya Grange.
More
Liaison Officer - Haute Couture (2007-2013)
Nina Gill SARL and Adarsh Gill SARL. Luxury liaison officer between Paris and New Delhi, with Nina Gill corporation for Dior, Yves Saint Laurent, Givenchy...
Event Planner: (freelance)
Exhibitions, openings, companies events, private parties, catering… (A5A Architectes, Villa Violet, Capdevielle Bordeaux)
TV Program:
Direction assistant for the TV show Culture et Compagnie, TV5 Monde - CFI.