Leah Purcell, you name it, she does it!
Currently starring the movie “Jindabyne”, Leah Purcell is an Indigenous performer with an inspiring story. Her childhood was tough, involving alcoholism, few opportunities, an abusive relationship and a teenage pregnancy. But her passion for the Arts made her turn it all around an now she is using her experience to help youth at risk, realise their potential. As a master of many crafts she is a difficult woman to introduce. Leah is an actor, dancer, singer, writer, speaker and director. She is behind the highly acclaimed book, documentary and stage play “Black Chicks Talking” and creator and star of the one-woman stage show “Box the Pony.” She introduced herself to the Wire as “Leah Purcell: Actor, talker, you name it, I do it.” The Wire’s Kirsten Veness spoke with Leah Purcell about the youth programs she is involved with and how her difficult past has been turned into inspiration.