Sarna Lapine

05.29.09http://www.intiman.org/2009Season/magical/default.aspx

07.14.08Accepted into IFP-Marcie Bloom Fellowship in Film

07.08.08Accepted as a student member into PGA (Producers Guild of America) East

Since 2004, Sarna has worked for theater director Bartlett Sher. Currently, Sarna is the dramaturg and associate director on a new commercial musical about Bruce Lee, "Bruce Lee: Journey to the West" (2010). She has worked as assistant director on the following Tony award-winning Broadway productions: "South Pacific" (2008), "Awake and Sing! (2006), and "The Light in the Piazza" (2005). This summer she will direct the "Year of Magical Thinking" at the Intiman Theatre in Seattle. In addition, Sarna has directed readings of new works at New York Theater Workshop (2009) and the "Warning Not for Broadway Festival" presented by Dixon Place (2004). She also directed "The Wee Hours," an original one act written by Pat Lennon, at the Philipstown Depot Theater (2008).

Sarna completed her MFA in film at Columbia University in 2009. Sarna is the recipient of the IFP/Marcie Bloom Fellowship as well as Columbia's casting and producing fellowships. While at Columbia, Sarna wrote, directed and/or produced several short films in genres ranging from drama and comedy to horror. Sarna also worked as a teaching assistant to Michael Barker of Sony Pictures Classics for "The Business of Film" and Anthony Bregman of Likely Story for "No-Budget Producing." In 2007, Sarna worked as a consultant for LA-based Participant Media's new television division and she was assistant to director Nicole Holofcener on her film "Please Give" (2009). Sarna is currently developing an original TV series and two independent feature films. Prior to attending film school, Sarna made her first film, a short documentary, "My Saraab" (2005) which received the Altoids and Northwest Film Forum's best short film award. "My Saraab" was screened at several film festivals throughout the country.

Before Sarna began her work in theater and film she spent a decade climbing mountains and rock faces all over the world. She worked as a professional climbing guide and experiential educator, specializing in outdoor education for women and girls. She also worked in arts education with youth in (and out of) the juvenile justice system. Sarna's passion for storytelling has been shaped by her adventures and her belief that the arts can influence social change.