Kenny Leon

Kenny Leon is a director whose work spans American theater, drama, comedy, opera, musicals, musical revues, and film. His directorial credits include a wide range of productions, from classic theater to contemporary works. Leon was selected as associate artistic director of Alliance Theatre Company, the largest theater company in Atlanta, and later became its artistic director, making him one of the few African Americans to lead a large nonprofit theater company in the United States. During his tenure, the company staged premieres of Pearl Cleage's "Blues for an Alabama Sky," Alfred Uhry's "The Last Night of Ballyhoo," and Elton John and Tim Rice's musical "Aida," which later moved to Broadway. The Alliance's endowment increased from $1 million to $5 million during his leadership. After leaving Alliance, Leon founded Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company.

Leon’s Broadway career includes directing a revival of Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun," featuring Sean Combs, Phylicia Rashad, and Audra McDonald. He was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Director for his work on August Wilson's "Fences," starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, both of whom received Tony Awards for their performances. Leon won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play for "A Raisin in the Sun." He has also received Tony nominations for "A Soldier's Play," "Purlie Victorious," and "The Balusters." Other directorial credits include the Alicia Keys World Tour, Toni Morrison's opera "Margaret Garner," the world premiere of "Flashdance The Musical," and the complete August Wilson Century Cycle at Kennedy Center.

Leon’s influence extends to television and film. He partnered with NBC for "Hairspray Live!," starring Ariana Grande, Jennifer Hudson, Kristin Chenoweth, and Harvey Fierstein. He received Primetime Emmy Award nominations for "Hairspray Live!," "American Son," and "Robin Roberts Presents: Mahalia." His memoir, "Take You Wherever You Go," was published by Grand Central Publishing. Manhattan Theatre Club's world premiere of "The Balusters," the Drama League and Outer Critics Circle-nominated play by David Lindsay-Abaire directed by Leon, extended its Broadway run at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre.

Leon has received a Tony Award and a Drama League Award, as well as nominations for three Primetime Emmy Awards and a Drama Desk Award. He was awarded the Mr. Abbott Award for outstanding artistry and creativity by the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation, recognizing his more than 40-year career. He also received the Governor's Award for the Arts and Humanities for the State of Georgia. Leon is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University, an honorary Ph.D. recipient of Clark Atlanta and Roosevelt Universities, and has served as the Denzel Washington Chair at Fordham University. He has conducted acting and theater workshops at universities and corporate offices across the United States, South Africa, and Ireland. Leon has been a featured speaker for arts organizations, awards shows, corporate and political groups, churches, and universities including Yale University, Northwestern University, and NYU Tisch School of the Arts.