Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon keeps a pretty packed schedule.
PAST COVERAGE: Behind the scene with Kenny Leon on the set of "Hairspray Live"
The founder and artistic director of Atlanta's True Colors Theatre Company, Leon directed a Broadway revival of "Fences" starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis . (They reprised their roles for the film version, which Washington directed).
He directed the Atlanta-filmed modern remake of "Steel Magnolias" starring Queen Latifah, Alfre Woodard, Jill Scott and mom-and-daughter Phylicia and Condola Rashad.
He directed live versions of "Hairspray" and "The Wiz" for NBC . His annual Celebrity Golf Tournament & Gala, held in Atlanta supports True Colors educational programming including the National August Wilson Monologue Competition for high school students. Artists such as Cedric the Entertainer, Usher, Flex Alexander and Julius "Dr. J" Erving attended this year's gala, where Leon joined Samuel L. Jackson, Glynn Turman, Crystal Fox and Eugene Lee for
a powerful reading from Wilson's "The Piano Lesson."
Yet with all these plates constantly spinning, Leon wanted to add one more. He reached out to KSU to come up with a way to inspire their students.
Leon explained in the release why he carved out time in his calendar for the master classes: "I want to bridge that gap between the academic world and the professional world. There should be a healthy synergy between the academic world and the professional/artistic world. So, I am all for that. When I have a master class with students who are serious about being in this business, it's better to give than receive. I am rewarded by giving."
Sorry, but the classes are open to enrolled students only. We might be able to sneak a peek during the upcoming event, so stay tuned. For now, rest assured it'll be an extraordinary opportunity for some lucky scholars.
About the Author
