Sue Schleifer

Sue Schleifer

My play, "Take Down The Letters," enjoyed premier performances in Lafayette, LA at Cité des Arts in September 2018. The play was accepted at InFringe Fest in New Orleans and two performances were staged at Cafe Istanbul in November 2018. I received an ArtSpark grant from the Acadiana Center for the Arts in 2018 to produce the play.

Before George Floyd was murdered, my newest play,...
My play, "Take Down The Letters," enjoyed premier performances in Lafayette, LA at Cité des Arts in September 2018. The play was accepted at InFringe Fest in New Orleans and two performances were staged at Cafe Istanbul in November 2018. I received an ArtSpark grant from the Acadiana Center for the Arts in 2018 to produce the play.

Before George Floyd was murdered, my newest play, "What Matters" reflected my own fears about dying alone, the medical profession’s role in end of life care, and what a “good” death and ultimately a meaningful life looked like. After listening, reading, and journaling, I realized I wanted to write a more nuanced play to reflect my own wake-up call as a privileged white woman. What Matters now explores life and death from more perspectives. Then I asked my niece, Emily Duryee, to read the play and see if she had any ideas for how to bring a bit more humor into it. She was inspired to write a new character, The Grim Reaper, and I was delighted with this addition and have included it in the latest version of the play.

My third play is an adaptation of a book, which has recently been optioned for a movie. So, my play is on hold at present. I am currently conjuring up ideas for my next play as well as for other writing projects.

I am the author of two books: "Cultivating a Mindful Life" and "The Key to the Castle: Zen and Travel Stories of Trust," about internal and external journeys. I also writes a monthly e-newsletter.

As the owner of Life and Leadership Coaching I provide coaching and organizational development consulting services to individuals and organizations throughout the United States and beyond. www.lifeandleadershipcoaching.com

I have an M.A. in Counseling Psychology, am certified as an Integral Coach through New Ventures West, and earned the Professional Coaching Credential (PCC) from the International Coach Federation. I help my clients to communicate clearly and with compassion. I practice mindfulness and enjoy sharing ideas and tools for stress management and living mindfully.

I bring to my work extensive leadership and management experience in nonprofit organizations, higher education, the arts, and business.

Plays

  • What Matters by Sue Schleifer
    Cast: 
    7–9
    ·
    Genre: dark comedy, drama + 1 more
    ·
    Keyword: mortality, death + 3 more
    Genre: dark comedy, drama, movement/physical
    Keyword: mortality, death, meditation, racism, living a meaningful life
    Haunted by a story of a woman dying alone in her apartment, Marie confronts her own mortality. Her fixation on death ensnares everyone in her orbit, including her nephew, her devoted best friend whose husband died too early, and her husband Peter, who wrestles with anxiety about his upcoming retirement. Marie is determined to confront her fears, to understand life and death from more than her own white, liberal...
    Haunted by a story of a woman dying alone in her apartment, Marie confronts her own mortality. Her fixation on death ensnares everyone in her orbit, including her nephew, her devoted best friend whose husband died too early, and her husband Peter, who wrestles with anxiety about his upcoming retirement. Marie is determined to confront her fears, to understand life and death from more than her own white, liberal perspective, plan a peaceful end of life, and live fully once she determines what really matters. Unbeknownst to Marie, her obsession with death draws the attention of the big wigs at Death Corp who dispatch a Grim Reaper on a recon mission.
  • Take Down The Letters by Sue Schleifer
    Cast: 
    3
    ·
    Genre: comedy, drama
    ·
    Keyword: letters, Freedom + 3 more
    Genre: comedy, drama
    Keyword: letters, Freedom, Relationships, grieving death of spouse, creativity
    Finally ready to clean out her husband’s closet, Lynn discovers a box of letters high up on a shelf. Should she read the letters? She invites her mom to accompany her on the journey that takes them to the 70s where they meet a creative and confused young woman searching for freedom, love and how to live a creative life. What do the letters reveal? What will Lynn learn about herself, her relationship with her...
    Finally ready to clean out her husband’s closet, Lynn discovers a box of letters high up on a shelf. Should she read the letters? She invites her mom to accompany her on the journey that takes them to the 70s where they meet a creative and confused young woman searching for freedom, love and how to live a creative life. What do the letters reveal? What will Lynn learn about herself, her relationship with her husband, and with her mom?

    One act dramatic comedy, approximately 75 minutes without an intermission.

Recommended by Sue Schleifer

  • The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin by Jessica Huang
    30 Apr. 2020
    “ The play transported me into the lives of the characters and their ghosts. At times funny and touching and also haunting as Harry tries to navigate how to live in this new country and also take care of the people in his past. ”