Leigh Jonaitis profile picture
Office Location: W-224
Phone: (201) 493-3509
Email: [email protected]

Dr. Leigh Jonaitis is a professor, director, actor, and singer who earned a BFA (Musical Theatre) and a BA (English) from the University of Michigan, and an MA and EdD from Columbia University Teachers College. She has taught at Bergen Community College since 2000; prior to that, she taught at Bronx Community College. She recently directed Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl, The Vagina Monologues by Eve Ensler and The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe. Acting roles include Kate in Dancing at Lughnasa, Dr. Charlotte in Falsettoland, Arlene in Baby, the Baker’s Wife in Into the Woods, Chris Gorman in Rumors, and Sarah in Company. In 2018, she performed the role of The Witch in Into the Woods for Bergenstages, the theatre arts program here at BCC. She has performed with guitarist Larry Newcomb as the duo Jonaitis & Newcomb, with the jazz group The Lance Hayward Singers in New York City, and recorded vocals on Newcomb’s album Living Tribute with jazz guitar legend Bucky Pizzarelli. She has published articles in Teaching English in the Two-Year College, the Journal of Basic Writing, and Research and Teaching in Developmental Education. After serving in multiple leadership roles for the Two-Year College English Association (TYCA)-Northeast, she was elected to the position of National Secretary for TYCA. Leigh is also the co-advisor to the BCC Theatre Club.