Award-Winning Director
Kenny Leon: Biography at a Glance
- Kenny Leon is a Tony Award-winning, premiere director on Broadway whose directorial credits span an incomparable range of work from classic theatre to drama, comedy, opera, musicals, musical revues and film.
- Leon directed the Netflix film American Son, based on the play of the same name, which he had directed on stage.
- Leon won the Tony for Best Director for the Broadway revival of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin In The Sun, garnering two more Tony wins for Best Play Revival and Best Featured Actress for Sophie Okonedo.
- Leon also directed the Broadway revival of August Wilson’s Fences, starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. The play was a huge critical and box-office success, having garnered 10 Tony Nominations, including Best Director, the most nominations ever for a play revival. Fences set box office records and received the Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play, Best Actor, and Best Actress.
- He also directed Holler If Ya Hear Me, the first hip-hop musical to hit Broadway, featuring the music of Tupac Shakur, as well as Othello, starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal.
- In 2015, he directed The Wiz! Live for NBC; and, In My Dreams for Hallmark Hall of Fame starring Katherine McPhee, and The Watsons go to Birmingham for Walden Media and Hallmark in 2013.
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Biography
Kenny Leon is a Tony Award-winning, premiere director on Broadway whose directorial credits span an incomparable range of work from classic theatre to drama, comedy, opera, musicals, musical revues and film.
Leon won the Tony for Best Director for the Broadway revival of Lorraine Hansberry’s A Raisin In The Sun, garnering two more Tony wins for Best Play Revival and Best Featured Actress for Sophie Okonedo. He also directed Othello, starring Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal, and Holler If Ya Hear Me, the first hip-hop musical to hit Broadway, featuring the music of Tupac Shakur, with the Gold Co. producing. He won the Obie Award for Direction for Much Ado About Nothing at The Public Theater. As director, he reimagined Shakespeare through a Black lens, remixing classical and knightly romance into spirituals, rituals, and social dance from the African Diaspora.
He directed The Wiz! Live for NBC; and, In My Dreams for Hallmark Hall of Fame starring Katherine McPhee, and The Watsons go to Birmingham for Walden Media and Hallmark.
Leon brought together a stellar cast for the made-for-television remake of Steel Magnolias, to premiere on the Lifetime Television Network. The film opened to 6.5 million viewers, making it Lifetime’s third most-watched original telecast ever. Among Women 25-54, Steel Magnolias has become Lifetime’s most-watched movie in network history with 2.5 million viewers. This new version, directed by Leon, starred Queen Latifah, Phylicia Rashad, Alfre Woodard, Condola Rashad, and Jill Scott.
Leon became the first African-American director to have concurrent shows on Broadway with The Mountaintop and Stick Fly. In The Mountaintop, written by Katori Hall, Samuel L. Jackson starred as Dr. Martin Luther King opposite Angela Bassett, who played a maid awed by the civil rights leader. Stick Fly, a dysfunctional-family comedy produced by Alicia Keys, featured Dule Hill, Mekhi Phifer, and Condola Rashad.
Leon also directed the Broadway revival of August Wilson’s Fences, starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis. The play was a huge critical and box-office success, having garnered 10 Tony Nominations, including “Best Director,” the most nominations ever for a play revival. Fences set box office records and received the Tony Award for “Best Revival of a Play,” “Best Actor,” and “Best Actress.”
Leon’s additional Broadway credits include the Tony Award-nominated plays Radio Golf and Gem of the Ocean, both by August Wilson. He also directed Swimming Upstream, featuring women of New Orleans and the impact of Hurricane Katrina on their lives and city, and Breaking the Silence, a United Nations event aimed at bringing awareness to child abduction across the globe.
Leon made his Broadway debut with the 2004 Tony Award-winning revival of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun, starring Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald. Leon received a Drama Desk Award nomination for “Outstanding Director of a Play” before reuniting the cast to direct the television adaptation, which aired on ABC to 12.7 million viewers. Leon was nominated for “Best Director” by the DGA for this television version, which also received Emmy and Golden Globe nominations in addition to three NAACP Image Award wins.
Building on a career in regional theatre (Arena Stage, Milwaukee Rep, Huntington Theatre, L.A.’s Center Theatre, the Public, Chicago’s Goodman Theatre, among others), and after leading Atlanta’s Alliance Theatre for 11 years, Leon founded Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company in 2002. Based in Atlanta, GA, the Company is dedicated to diversity and the preservation of African-American classics.
Through True Colors, Leon produces the August Wilson Monologue Competition, an annual competition currently in eight major cities providing workshops and training to hundreds of teenagers. Regional winners receive mentoring and coaching alongside free travel and board to New York City, to participate in the Competition Finals at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway performing monologues from August Wilson’s Century Cycle before a panel of judges. First, second and third place winners receive scholarships and all finalists receive hardbound book sets of August Wilson’s plays.
Leon is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University and holds honorary doctorates from Roosevelt University and several other institutions. He has been a featured speaker for arts organizations, awards shows, corporate and political groups, churches, and universities including Yale University, Northwestern University, and NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts.
Leon’s diverse body of projects in theater and film requires him to split time between Atlanta, Los Angeles, and New York.
Topics
Take You Wherever You Go
In this inspiring talk, Tony Award–winning director Kenny Leon shares the life lessons that carried him from a small wooden house in Florida to the Broadway stage. Drawing on the wisdom of his grandmother, the guidance of his mother, and the artistic influence of playwright August Wilson, Leon reflects on the power of authenticity, resilience, and purpose. His story empowers audiences to embrace who they are, stay true to their values, and lead with courage as they navigate their own path to success.
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FAQs
How do I book Kenny Leon for my event?
Contact CAA Speakers at (424) 288-2898 or speakers@caa.com to book Kenny Leon to speak at corporate or private events, keynote speeches, speaking engagements, workshops, fireside chats, motivational speaking, or virtual appearances.
Quick booking process- Email CAA Speakers with event details
- Get availability confirmation within 24 hours
- Review speaking fee and contract terms
- Sign agreement and finalize logistics
As one of the most influential talent agencies in the world, CAA handles all speaking engagements from contract to event day coordination.
Who is Kenny Leon's booking agent?
CAA Speakers is the preferred booking agency to contact for Kenny Leon’s speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com for all Kenny Leon in-person appearances and keynote speaking requests.
Contact Kenny Leon's agent- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: caa.com/caaspeakers
- Response: Within 24 hours
CAA Speakers can check Kenny Leon's speaking calendar with direct access to availability and official pricing. While many websites may list Kenny Leon, CAA Speakers is the direct source for authentic information about availability and pricing.
What is Kenny Leon's speaking fee?
Kenny Leon's speaking fee varies by event type, location, and requirements. As a top keynote speaker, Kenny Leon's fee reflects their expertise and market demand.
Speaking fee factors:- Event type and audience size
- Travel distance and logistics
- Presentation length and customization
- Virtual vs. in-person delivery
Additional costs: Travel, accommodation, A/V requirements, and optional meet-and-greets.
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for Kenny Leon's current speaking fee and detailed cost breakdown.
How much does it cost to book Kenny Leon as a keynote speaker?
The cost to book Kenny Leon as keynote speaker includes their speaking fee plus travel and logistics expenses.
Total booking cost includes:- Kenny Leon's keynote speaking fee
- Travel and accommodation
- Technical requirements and A/V setup
- Optional add-ons like book signing and meet & greets
- Virtual presentations
- Local/regional events
- Off-peak booking periods
- Flexible event dates
Email speakers@caa.com for Kenny Leon's exact booking cost and customized pricing proposal.
How to contact Kenny Leon for speaking engagements?
Contact CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com for all Kenny Leon speaking engagements.
Official contact for Kenny Leon bookings:- Email: speakers@caa.com
- Website: https://www.caa.com/caaspeakers/kenny-leon
- Response time: 24 hours
Include your event date, location, audience size, and budget when contacting CAA about booking Kenny Leon.
Is Kenny Leon available for virtual speaking events?
Yes, Kenny Leon speaks at virtual events with professional-grade equipment and interactive presentation style.
Kenny Leon's virtual event options:- Live virtual keynotes with Q&A
- Interactive workshops and breakouts
- Hybrid events (in-person + virtual)
- Pre-recorded presentations
Virtual events offer global reach, flexible scheduling, and reduced travel costs while maintaining Kenny Leon's engaging presentation quality.
Contact CAA Speakers for Kenny Leon's virtual event availability and technical specifications.
What events can I book Kenny Leon for?
Book Kenny Leon for corporate conferences, industry events, private functions, and virtual presentations. Kenny Leon customizes content for any audience size or event type.
Event types:- Corporate meetings and conferences
- Industry summits and trade shows
- Private executive retreats
- Educational institution events
- Virtual and hybrid conferences
Kenny Leon engages audiences from private executive meetings to large conferences with thousands of attendees.
Contact CAA Speakers to discuss how Kenny Leon can customize their presentation for your specific event.
Kenny Leon booking information and availability
Check Kenny Leon's speaking availability through CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com. Book 3-6 months in advance for best date selection during peak seasons (September-November, March-May).
Availability factors:- Event date and location
- Speaking fee and budget
- Lead time for booking
- Peak conference seasons
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 3-6 months: Best availability
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Contact CAA early in your planning process to secure Kenny Leon for your preferred event date.
Book Kenny Leon keynote speaker through CAA
Book Kenny Leon through CAA Speakers for guaranteed authentic representation and professional event coordination. CAA is the preferred booking agent for Kenny Leon, with direct access to their speaking availability and decades of experience representing the world’s top keynote speakers.
CAA booking advantages:- Direct access to Kenny Leon's calendar
- 24-hour availability confirmations
- Professional contract negotiation
- Full logistics coordination
- Industry-leading client service
Trusted by Fortune 500 companies for their most important speaking engagements. Contact speakers@caa.com to book Kenny Leon for your next event.
Will Kenny Leon speak at private events?
Yes, Kenny Leon speaks at private corporate events, executive retreats, board meetings, and exclusive functions.
Private event types:- Executive retreats and board presentations
- Client entertainment and VIP gatherings
- Corporate celebrations and award ceremonies
- Private dinners and exclusive functions
Private event benefits: Customized content, enhanced interaction, complete confidentiality, and flexible scheduling.
Contact CAA Speakers for Kenny Leon's private event availability and confidential pricing proposals.
How quickly will I get a response about booking Kenny Leon?
CAA Speakers responds to Kenny Leon booking inquiries within 24 hours during business days. Complex requests or international events may take up to 48 hours for detailed proposals.
Response timeline:- Initial acknowledgment: Within 24 hours
- Availability confirmation: 24-48 hours
- Detailed pricing proposal: 48-72 hours
- Urgent requests: Same-day priority response
Include complete event details (date, location, audience size, budget) for fastest response times.
How far in advance should I book Kenny Leon?
Book Kenny Leon 3-6 months in advance for best availability, especially during peak speaking seasons. Early booking ensures better date selection and rate negotiations.
Recommended booking timeline:- 3-6 months: Optimal availability and pricing
- 2-3 months: Good availability
- 1-2 months: Select availability
- Under 30 days: Limited availability
Peak seasons: September-November and March-May book fastest. Contact CAA Speakers early for priority consideration.
How do I get Kenny Leon pricing information?
Get Kenny Leon pricing information by contacting CAA Speakers at speakers@caa.com with your event details. Receive detailed cost breakdown within 24-48 hours with no obligation to book.
For accurate pricing, include:- Event date and location
- Audience size and type
- Event format and duration
- Budget parameters
CAA provides transparent pricing with all costs included - speaking fee, travel, accommodation, and technical requirements.