Though Lila works with a range of stories and forms, she is always exploring how systemic power structures intersect with ideas, culture, politics, identity, and relationships. She is drawn to plays that scare her, disrupt her assumptions, and blend narrative and experimental forms. While her productions challenge audiences to confront their complicity in harmful structures, they also spark wonder and laughter. Lila creates rehearsal rooms that are warm and playful, and views each process as an opportunity to learn from her collaborators.

Born and raised in Washington DC, Lila has developed and directed work with theaters all over the country, including The Civilians, Actors Theatre of Louisville, Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company, Luna Stage, the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Portland Stage Company, Folger Theatre, the First National Tour of The Bridges of Madison County, and the Source Festival. Her work has been seen internationally at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She is a member of the Lincoln Center Theater Directors Lab, Directors Lab North, and an Associate Member of SDC. She received the IRAM award for excellence in new play development and the MFA Fellowship from the University of Iowa. Lila holds a BA from Wesleyan University in the College of Letters, an interdisciplinary program in history, literature, philosophy, and Spanish, and an MFA in Directing from the University of Iowa. She was a member of the 2021-22 R&D Group at The Civilians and a 2021 resident at Arteles Creative Center.

Outside of the rehearsal room, Lila can be found biking, playing taiko, and spending as much time as possible doing handstands. She also writes What’s On, a newsletter about exciting theatre to see in New York, online, and elsewhere.