Kenny Leon
Kenny Leon is a Tony Award-winning Broadway and television director. His Broadway credits include the Tupac musical Holler If You Hear Me, A Raisin in the Sun starring Denzel Washington (Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play and Best Revival of a Play), The Mountaintop starring Samuel L.
Latest News on Kenny Leon:
BIO
Kenny Leon is a Tony Award-winning Broadway and television director. His Broadway credits include the Tupac musical Holler If You Hear Me, A Raisin in the Sun starring Denzel Washington (Tony Award for Best Direction of a Play and Best Revival of a Play), The Mountaintop starring Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett, Stick Fly, August Wilson’s Fences (which garnered ten Tony nominations and won three Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play), Gem of the Ocean and Radio Golf. He also directed Smart People for Second Stage. Leon's recent television work includes "Hairspray Live!", and "The Wiz Live!" on NBC. He is the recipient of the 2016 Mr. Abbott Award for Lifetime Achievement in Directing and the 2010 Award for Excellence in Directing from the Drama League. Mr. Leon serves on the board of New York's Public Theater and is Artistic Director of Atlanta's Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company.
Photos
Productions
See how Kenny Leon connects to other Broadway stars and creatives.
Six Degrees of Broadway Beta
See how many degrees separate Kenny Leon from another Broadway star or creative.
Kenny Leon
Connection
Awards and Nominations
Kenny Leon, The Balusters
Kenny Leon, The Balusters
Kenny Leon, Purlie Victorious
Kenny Leon, Purlie Victorious
Kenny Leon, Purlie Victorious
Kenny Leon, Topdog/Underdog
Kenny Leon, Topdog/Underdog
winner
Kenny Leon, Much Ado About Nothing
winner
Kenny Leon, A Soldier's Play
Kenny Leon, A Soldier's Play
winner
Kenny Leon, A Raisin in the Sun
winner
Kenny Leon
Kenny Leon, Fences
Kenny Leon, Tambourines to Glory
winner
Kenny Leon, A Raisin in the Sun
Kenny Leon, Blues in the Night
Videos
Video: Watch Glenn Davis and Namir Smallwood in TOPDOG/UNDERDOG at Steppenwolf Theatre Company
by Nicole Rosky - 2026-09-25 10:13:42
Video: Watch the Trailer for THE CONVERSATION Starring Joshua Henry and Julia Harriman
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2026-09-15 14:34:02
Video: TOPDOG/UNDERDOG Preview Teases Steppenwolf Season Opener
by Allison Henry - 2026-09-11 10:01:10
Video: Director Kenny Leon Discusses TOPDOG/UNDERDOG at Steppenwolf
by Joshua Wright - 2026-08-28 12:38:34
Video: Anika Noni Rose Praises Diverse Perspectives in THE BALUSTERS: 'We Are Running the Gamut'
by Josh Sharpe - 2026-04-28 16:07:20
Photos & Video: Santino Fontana, Jessie Mueller & More Lead LAMB OF GOD in Largest Staging Yet
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2026-03-31 13:00:58
Photos and Video: Joyce DiDonato, Phillip Boykin and More in AMAHL AND THE NIGHT VISITORS
by Chloe Rabinowitz - 2025-12-18 16:33:42
Video: Tom Hanks Discusses the Joys of Performing Live in THIS WORLD OF TOMORROW
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-26 10:43:11
Video: Tom Hanks, Kelli O'Hara, & Kenny Leon Talk THIS WORLD OF TOMORROW on CBS MORNINGS
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-18 12:39:49
Video: Renée Elise Goldsberry Talks Returning to Broadway in THE BALUSTERS
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-11-17 17:13:01
Video: Tom Hanks Previews New Play THIS WORLD OF TOMORROW at The Shed
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-10-06 11:38:37
Video: Kecia Lewis Performs 'Right Hand Man / One Last Time' From HAMILTON at MISCAST25
by Michael Major - 2025-06-13 09:37:32
Video: OTHELLO Star Denzel Washington Praises the Entertainment Community Fund
by A.A. Cristi - 2025-04-25 19:01:46
Video: Jake Gyllenhaal Opens Up About Portraying Iago Opposite Denzel Washington
by Josh Sharpe - 2025-03-25 10:30:50
Video: Inside OTHELLO's Opening Night with Denzel Washington and Jake Gyllenhaal
by Joey Mervis - 2025-03-24 15:31:54
News
by Nicole Rosky - Sep 25, 2026
Steppenwolf Theatre Company shared a new video promoting its current production of Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, running in Chicago through November 1.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 24, 2026
Westport Country Playhouse opened registration for Playhouse Playmakers, a seven-week education program for middle school students to create and stage an original play with professional actors.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 23, 2026
Steppenwolf Theatre Company has launched its 51st Season with Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Topdog/Underdog, helmed by Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon. See photos!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 22, 2026
John Cariani's Almost, Maine will be presented at OSO, a professional Fringe theatre located in the heart of Barnes village in South-West London, for a two-week run.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 25, 2026
Roundabout Theatre Company's production of The Imaginary Invalid by Molière, translated by Doug Skinner, adapted by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin, with direction by Tony Award nominee Brandon J. Dirden is now on Broadway! Meet the cast here.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 17, 2026
Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon will release his new book Direction. The memoir features a foreword by Tom Hanks and recounts his creative partnerships with artists including Denzel Washington and Viola Davis.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 16, 2026
The American Theatre Wing held its annual fall gala at The Ziegfeld Ballroom, celebrating backstage and ensemble members whose contributions are vital to theatre productions. See photos!
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 15, 2026
You can now get a first look at a new trailer for The Conversation, a new original musical conceived, co-written and starring Tony Award winner Joshua Henry and Julia Harriman
by Sidney Paterra - Sep 16, 2026
BroadwayWorld has your official fall 2026 Off-Broadway preview, a complete guide to everything opening Off-Broadway! See West End transfers, stars in play revivals, multiple world premieres and more.
by Allison Henry - Sep 11, 2026
Steppenwolf Theatre Company shared a preview clip of Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, opening its 51st season in Chicago this fall.
by Elizabeth Armstrong - Sep 4, 2026
Celebrated Canadian actors Sophia Walker and André Morin are, as they say, 'booked and busy.' Walker and Morin star in not only one Shaw Festival production this season, but two: Ohio State Murders and A New Work in Progress.
by Stephi Wild - Sep 2, 2026
Steppenwolf Theatre Company will launch its 51st Season with Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Topdog/Underdog, helmed by Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon. Check out rehearsal photos here!
by Joshua Wright - Aug 28, 2026
Steppenwolf Theatre Company shared a new video featuring director Kenny Leon discussing his production of Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning TOPDOG/UNDERDOG, opening the theatre's 51st season.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Aug 26, 2026
Steppenwolf Theatre Company will launch its 51st Season with Suzan-Lori Parks’ Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Topdog/Underdog. Topdog/Underdog will play a limited engagement
by Joshua Wright - Aug 17, 2026
Steppenwolf co-Artistic Director Audrey Francis discusses the company's 2026/27 season, including TOPDOG/UNDERDOG and ADIRONDACK CHAIR CIRCLE, and stepping onstage herself in the psychological thriller ELLEN B.
by Nicole Rosky - Aug 17, 2026
Roundabout Theatre Company has just announced the complete cast and design team for the upcoming production of The Imaginary Invalid by Molière translated by Doug Skinner, adapted by Tony Award winner Bill Irwin (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) with direction by Tony Award nominee Brandon J. Dirden (Waiting for Godot) making his Broadway directorial debut.
by Stephi Wild - Aug 6, 2026
Mark Twain Tonight! will come to the Washington Pavilion next year, starring Richard Thomas. Learn more about the upcoming production and how to get tickets here.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 31, 2026
54 Below will host performances from Tony nominee Ephraim Sykes, Casey Likes, Isaac Mizrahi, Adam Pascal, Anthony Rapp, and Britani Bateman, among other stars from Broadway and cabaret.
by Sidney Paterra - Aug 1, 2026
What’s happening Off-Broadway in August? August 2026 is packed with exciting shows, including a star-studded Shakespeare in the Park production of The Winter's Tale, featuring Lily Rabe, Raúl Esparza and more.
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 13, 2026
Tony Award-winning director, producer, and industry leader Kenny Leon has been elected Chair of the American Theatre Wing's Board of Trustees. His work spans Broadway, regional theatres, television, and film.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Outstanding Direction of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for The Balusters, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for The Balusters, Outstanding Direction of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Purlie Victorious, Outstanding Direction of a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway) (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Purlie Victorious, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for Purlie Victorious, Outstanding Direction of a Play (Drama League Awards) for Topdog/Underdog, Outstanding Director of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for Topdog/Underdog, Directing Award (Obie Awards) for Much Ado About Nothing, Outstanding Director of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards) for A Soldier's Play, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for A Soldier's Play, Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun, Founders Award for Excellence in Directing (Drama League Awards), Best Direction of a Play (Tony Awards) for Fences, Outstanding Director, Resident Musical (Helen Hayes Awards) for Tambourines to Glory, Outstanding Director - Play (Drama Desk Awards) for A Raisin in the Sun and Outstanding Director, Resident Musical (Helen Hayes Awards) for Blues in the Night.
Kenny Leon has received several prestigious awards, including the Directing Award from the Obie Awards for Much Ado About Nothing. He won the Outstanding Director of a Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards for A Soldier's Play and the Best Direction of a Play at the Tony Awards for A Raisin in the Sun. Additionally, he received the Founders Award for Excellence in Directing from the Drama League Awards and the Outstanding Director - Play award from the Drama Desk Awards, both for A Raisin in the Sun.
