The American Theatre Wing has named new leadership for its board of trustees. Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon has been elected chair of the board following a comprehensive governance review helmed by interim chair Ted Chapin, which examined the board’s administration, policies and organizational strategy.
“I’ve always admired the American Theatre Wing because it has never been just about celebrating theater — it has been about serving the people who make theater possible,” said Leon in a statement. “From its beginnings, founded by women whose activism and belief in community shaped its mission, the Wing has understood that supporting artists and art strengthens our culture. I’m honored to serve as chair and to partner with [American Theatre Wing president and CEO] Heather [Hitchens], the board and the staff as we continue creating opportunities for artists, nurturing the next generation of theatermakers and ensuring our industry continues to grow more vibrant, welcoming and accessible for generations to come.”
Added Hitchens, “Welcoming Kenny Leon as chair marks an exciting new chapter for the organization. His extraordinary artistry, his decades of leadership across the American theater and his unwavering commitment to investing in artists make him the ideal partner as we build on the Wing’s remarkable progress.”
Leon is the Tony-winning director of the 2014 revival of Lorraine Hansberry’s “A Raisin in the Sun.” His Broadway directing credits also include “The Balusters,” “Our Town,” “Purlie Victorious,” “A Soldier’s Play” and “Fences,” each of which also earned him a Tony nomination. Leon serves as the artistic director emeritus of Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company, vice president of the Public Theater’s board of trustees and, as recently announced, a returning member of the Entertainment Community Fund’s board of directors.
The American Theatre Wing was founded as the Stage Women’s War Relief, a fundraising organization for American soldiers, in 1917. Since then, it has grown into a financial and educational support organization for the American theater, offering grants, fellowships, scholarships and other resources to theater makers nationwide. The Wing is also the founder and co-presenter of the Tony Awards, and has been the sole presenter of the Obie Awards since 2021. The organization also recently announced the promotion of longtime team members Ian Weiss to vice president and Ann Marie Gong to chief of staff.
