NEW YORK CITY: The Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation (SDC Foundation), the not-for-profit foundation of the Stage Directors and Choreographers Society (SDC), has named director Kenny Leon as the winner of the 2016-17 “Mr. Abbott” Award, in recognition of his 40-year career. The award will be presented at the foundation’s annual gala on March 27, 2017.
The “Mr. Abbott” Award is named after the late director George Abbott, and it recognizes an artist’s extraordinary contributions to the field.
“I am very happy that the SDC Foundation is honoring Kenny Leon with this year’s ‘Mr. Abbott Award,” said SDC president Pam MacKinnon in a statement. “His long and varied career as an important artist and producer as well as educator, mentor, and celebrated director is an inspiration. His continuing legacy is large. He is committed to rich, beautiful, provocative storytelling. I am a tremendous fan and always look forward to what I am about to see when his name is on the marquee.”
Leon is a Tony-winning director whose Broadway credits include the 2014 revival of A Raisin in the Sun, The Mountaintop, Stick Fly, and the 2010 revival of August Wilson’s Fences. He is also the cofounder of True Colors Theatre Company in Atlanta, where he continues to serve as artistic director. Past “Mr. Abbott” winners include Susan Stroman, Daniel Sullivan, Tommy Tune, George C. Wolfe, Jerry Zaks, and James Lapine.
The SDC Foundation provides mentorship programs, public events, and connects early-career directors and choreographers with established artists.
