Hi, I’m Leif Olesen-Cormack. I’m a writer and producer who works across theatre, games, and screen, developing original works and helping teams translate ideas into engaging narratives. I’ve toured productions across Canada, the U.S., and the U.K., and I’ve written branching dialogue and story content for several games, from indie titles to narrative-driven experiences. I’m passionate about collaboration, clear storytelling, and turning complex concepts into accessible, entertaining experiences. Beyond writing, I lead production efforts, manage budgets and logistics, and cultivate partnerships with festival, venue, and media teams. I’m based in Edmonton, and I enjoy mentoring emerging creatives while continuing to develop multi-disciplinary projects that blend performance, gameplay, and storytelling.

Leif Olesen-Cormack

Hi, I’m Leif Olesen-Cormack. I’m a writer and producer who works across theatre, games, and screen, developing original works and helping teams translate ideas into engaging narratives. I’ve toured productions across Canada, the U.S., and the U.K., and I’ve written branching dialogue and story content for several games, from indie titles to narrative-driven experiences. I’m passionate about collaboration, clear storytelling, and turning complex concepts into accessible, entertaining experiences. Beyond writing, I lead production efforts, manage budgets and logistics, and cultivate partnerships with festival, venue, and media teams. I’m based in Edmonton, and I enjoy mentoring emerging creatives while continuing to develop multi-disciplinary projects that blend performance, gameplay, and storytelling.

Available to hire

Hi, I’m Leif Olesen-Cormack. I’m a writer and producer who works across theatre, games, and screen, developing original works and helping teams translate ideas into engaging narratives. I’ve toured productions across Canada, the U.S., and the U.K., and I’ve written branching dialogue and story content for several games, from indie titles to narrative-driven experiences. I’m passionate about collaboration, clear storytelling, and turning complex concepts into accessible, entertaining experiences.

Beyond writing, I lead production efforts, manage budgets and logistics, and cultivate partnerships with festival, venue, and media teams. I’m based in Edmonton, and I enjoy mentoring emerging creatives while continuing to develop multi-disciplinary projects that blend performance, gameplay, and storytelling.

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Language

English
Fluent
French
Advanced

Work Experience

Producer at Prosperity Mule Productions
June 1, 2021 - Present
Developed and toured multiple original productions across Canada, the United States, and the United Kingdom, including promoting and booking a weekly comedy show at The Grindstone Theatre. Served as director and dramaturge on new works, collaborating with teams to refine scripts and translate writing into effective live performances. Managed end-to-end producing tasks including grants, budgeting, touring logistics, festival submissions, marketing, advertising, media outreach, and press coordination.
Writer at Lindisfarne Productions
September 1, 2024 - January 1, 2025
Assembled documentary footage and shaped it into narrative scripts for the second season of the APtn series “Horse Warriors.”
Narrative Designer/Scriptwriter at EggNut Studios
January 1, 2022 - September 1, 2024
Wrote and designed branching dialogue sequences in Unreal and Unity for “Tails: Noir: The Backbone Preludes” (released Jan 2023) and Tails Noir: Rebel Rush (released Sep 2024).
Lead Writer/Narrative Designer at XGen Studios
March 1, 2015 - December 1, 2019
Crafted the narrative and wrote the entire script for the shipped title, The Low Road, including all in-game text, lore, and achievements. Collaborated with development teams to devise game mechanics and puzzles. Worked with Programming, Sound, Art, Animation, and Localization to communicate the narrative vision and ensure game flow. Developed, programmed, and implemented all interactive dialogue sequences with Lua scripting in ChatMapper and Unity.
Stagehand at IATSE Local 210
January 1, 2011 - Present
Live-event load-ins, rigging, and strike for touring and theatrical productions.
Assistant Director at ANAID Productions
January 1, 2010 - December 31, 2011
Responsible for keeping the production on-schedule throughout shoot and communicating all logistical issues to every department. Maintained the safety and security of the production and its subjects.

Education

Artist Diploma (Lila Acheson Wallace American Playwrights Fellowship) at The Juilliard School
January 1, 2011 - January 1, 2013
M.F.A in Drama (Playwriting) at University of Calgary
January 1, 2006 - January 1, 2008
Bachelor of Arts (English) at University of Alberta
January 1, 2001 - January 1, 2005

Qualifications

O-1 Extraordinary Ability Visa for Writing & Performance
January 11, 2030 - May 1, 2026
Just for Laughs Prize for Best English Comedy (Montreal Fringe’s 2022 Frankie Awards) - nomination
January 1, 2022 - March 11, 2026
J.B.C. Watkins Award
January 1, 2013 - March 11, 2026
Lecompte du Nouy Prize (Lincoln Center Theater)
January 1, 2013 - March 11, 2026
Samuel French Canadian Playwrights Contest
January 1, 2012 - March 11, 2026
Edmonton Arts Council Creators' Reserve Grant
January 1, 2020 - March 11, 2026
Calgary FunnyFest Competition (1st place)
January 1, 2019 - March 11, 2026
Pick of the Fringe - Victoria Fringe (Favourite Storytelling Show)
January 1, 2025 - March 11, 2026

Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Gaming, Software & Internet, Education