Elayne LeTraunik is a native Chicagoan and has been involved in the Chicago theatre scene since the 1970s. A graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago with honors in History and Theatre, she continued her acting studies at the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art in London, England.

Elayne has worked extensively both as an actress and a producer and starred in the Chicago premieres of “Nuts” and “Extremities.” She also appeared in “Beyond Therapy” which featured Skipp Sudduth and Carmen Roman. As a producer, she oversaw a number of award winning and critically acclaimed productions including the Chicago premiere of “A Dybbuk” and a revival of “Class Enemy.”

Elayne was the founder of the Casting Call Hotline and was also the auditions columnist for “Performink” newspaper for 15 years. She was the founder and Artistic Director of Red Hen Productions and Chicago Jewish Theatre and was a weekly columnist for the Chicago Sun-Times as well as contributor to Plays and Players Magazine in London.

Elayne currently works as a freelance grant writer and PR person for a number of small theater companies in Chicago. More information about her can be found at www.virtualelayne.com.
She is also the Associate Artistic Director of Genesis Theatrical Productions which will begin producing in March of 2011 with the Chicago premiere of “From Generation to Generation,” family oriented musical about a Jewish grandmother leaving the legacy of her life to her unborn grandchild.

Elayne is a member of Actors Equity, The Donors Forum, Chicago Women in Philanthropy and the League of Professional Theatre Women.