Leslie Ayvazian is an award-winning playwright and character actress. Ms. Ayvazian is the recipient of the Roger L. Stevens and the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize for her work Nine Armenians, which was produced at Manhattan Theatre Club. She also received a fellowship from the New Jersey Council of the Arts and assistance from the New Harmony Writers Project in developing this play. Her numerous works have been produced Off-Broadway, in major regional theatres, and in Poland and Slovakia. Most recently, the Atlantic Theater Company produced her play "Make Me" as part of their 2008-2009 Stage 2 season. In addition to her writing achievements, Ms. Ayvazian is an accomplished actress and teacher. She also has appeared in the films Working Girl, Alice and Regarding Henry, and is a recurring guest star in the series of the Law and Order franchise. Ms. Ayvazian is currently an adjunct professor at the graduate school of Columbia University.