Karenssa LeGear is an American actress, filmmaker and SAG/AFTRA member who appeared in musical theatre plays including Les Misérables (2014) as Cosette and Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream (2007). She has Best Actress nominations at Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema for Carving a Life (2017) and at GI Film Festival San Diego for Refuge (2017).

Early life

LeGear grew up in Oceanside, California, starting her career as a singer at age 13. She graduated from Vista High School and holds a bachelor of arts degree in music-voice at University of California, Los Angeles. In 2015, LeGear graduated from Ruskin School of Acting where she studied Meisner technique. She is a member of SAG-AFTRA and Actors' Equity Association and has dual citizenship in the United States and Australia.

Career

In 2004, LeGear portrayed Margarita Fischer for a recreation of the historical past at Rancho Buena Vista Adobe. She has performed in several musicals and plays including The Legend of Sleepy Hollow and Les Misérables and has conducted interviews with Geena Davis, Adrien Brody and John Boyega for That's My Entertainment at the San Diego International Film Festival. In 2017, LeGear starred as Lauren in Carving a Life. The film was not well received but Adam Keller at Film Threat said her performance was "solid" and Katie Walsh at Los Angeles Times called her presence "empathetic". LeGear has supporting roles in the Lifetime films Killer Caregiver and Killer Contractor, guest starred in Veronica Mars and co-directed a short film called Capture.

Stage credits

YearTitleRoleLocationNotes
2001The History of Tom Jones, a Foundling—N/aVista High School, Vista, CaliforniaHigh school performance
The Legend of Sleepy HollowWoman in WhiteEncore Youth Theater, Vista, California
2003AnnieLilyMoonlight Youth Theatre, Vista, California
2007A Midsummer Night's DreamPuckSchoenberg Hall, Los Angeles, California
2008The MediumMrs. NolanSchoenberg Hall, Los Angeles, California
The Legend of Sleepy HollowEncore Youth Theater, Vista, CaliforniaDirector
The Threepenny OperaLucy (matinee) / WhoreLos Angeles Theater Center, Los Angeles, California
2009Music and MemoriesAngelWelk Resorts Theatre, Escondido, California
2010The Pirates of PenzanceMabelWelk Resorts Theatre, Escondido, California
The House of YesLeslyCompass Theatre, San Diego, California
Into the WoodsRapunzelNew Village Arts Theatre, Carlsbad, California
2011The Phantom of the OperaChristine DaaéMcKinney Theatre, Mission Viejo, California
PhantomCarlottaCandlelight Pavilion, Claremont, California
Man of La ManchaAntoniaWelk Resorts Theatre, Escondido, California
2012Man of La ManchaAntoniaCarpenter Performing Arts Center, Long Beach, CaliforniaMusical Theatre West
2014Les MisérablesCosetteArkansas Repertory Theatre, Little Rock, Arkansas
Les MisérablesCosetteThe Phoenix Theatre, Phoenix, Arizona
2015Gianni SchicchiNellaCowell Theater, San Francisco, CaliforniaMerola Opera Program
2016On The Twentieth CenturyImelda ThorntonLos Angeles Theatre, Los Angeles, California

Filmography

Feature films
YearTitleRoleNotes
2012The KultNatasha Snow
2017Carving a LifeLauren
2018Killer CaregiverPattyLifetime TV Movie
The CallingHolly Jensen
Christmas HarmonyPamelaLifetime TV Movie
2019Killer ContractorClaireLifetime TV Movie
2022Starf*ckerKaren
Short films
YearTitleRoleActorDirectorProducer
2015The Recency EffectTrixyYesNoYes
2016Remember MeLeslieYesNoCo-producer
ValhallaNaomi KingYesNoNo
2017RefugeDianeYesNoNo
Jordan Hates the WritingMarilyn MonroeYesNoNo
One Good DayDianaYesNoNo
2019CaptureDanaCo-directorYesCo-producer
In the Absence of EdenKalissa 'Lissy'Co-directorYesYes
2021Moving OutJoanneYesNoExecutive

Accolades

EventYearAwardTitleResultRef.
GI Film Festival San Diego2017Best ActressRefugeNominated
Idyllwild International Festival of Cinema2018Best Actress Feature FilmCarving a LifeNominated
Best Ensemble Cast Feature FilmCarving a LifeNominated
Horrible Imaginings Film Festival2020Best Home Grown Local FilmCaptureWon

External links