EDUCATION:
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS at AUSTIN, Department of Theatre & Dance
• Master of Fine Arts in Directing, 2010
BROOKLYN COLLEGE, City University of New York, Brooklyn, NY
• Bachelor of Fine Arts in Acting, 1998
• Magna Cum Laude
SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY, Huntsville, TX
• Theatre Arts Major, 1993-1995
EXPERIENCE:
DIRECTING
Upcoming productions
2015 WELCOME TO THE KINGDOM OF SAUDI ARABIA, 59E59 Theaters, New York
• Collaboration with composer Peter Stopschinski (Rude Mechs) and theatre maker Katie Pearl (PearlDamour)
• Writer, Director, Production Designer, Producer
International
2012 HERE I GO, La MaMa Spoleto Open, Italy
• Collaboration with Monk Parrots
• Text by David Todd
• Concept, Production Designer, Director
2009 L'INDIANO VUOLE IL BRONX By Israel Horovitz, Teatrino delle Sei, Spoleto, Italy
• Director/Production Designer
2011 Teatro Elfo Puccini, Milano, Italy
2011 Umbertide, Italy
2010 Perugia, Italy
2010 Trevi, Italy
2010 Nocera Umbria, Italy
2009 Premiered at Teatrino delle Sei, Spoleto, Italy
New York, NY
2014 BUM PHILLIPS, An Opera, La MaMa Experimental Theatre Club
• Collaboration with Kirk Lynn and Peter Stopschinski
• Commissioned by Monk Parrots
• Concept, Production Designer, Director
2013 AFTER AN EARLIER INCIDENT: A Dyschronic Romeo & Juliet, La MaMa E.T.C.
• Collaboration with Monk Parrots
• Adapted Text by David Todd
• Concept, Production Designer, Director
2013 BUM PHILLIPS, Workshop Performance: Act I, Long Island University
• Director/Designer
2012 THE TURN OF THE SCREW, Symphony Space
• Produced by Opera Moderne
2012 HERE I GO, 59E59 Theaters, Studio C
• Collaboration with Monk Parrots
• Text by David Todd
• Concept, Production Designer, Director
2011 THE ART OF DEPICTING NATURE AS IT IS SEEN BY TOADS, Dixon Place
• Collaboration with Monk Parrots
• Concept, Production Designer, Director, and Performer
2011 HERE I GO, Dixon Place
• Collaboration with Monk Parrots
• Text by David Todd
• Concept, Production Designer, Director
2011 GAY RODEO BY-LAWS (GRBL), Swing Space, 14 Wall St.
• Collaboration with Monk Parrots
• Writer, Production Designer, Director
• 2011 LMCC Swing Space Artist Residency
The University of Texas at Austin
2010 THE DIFFICULTY OF CROSSING A FIELD, The B. Iden Payne Theatre
• Opera by Pulitzer Prizewinning composer David Lang and Obie Award-winning playwright Mac Wellman
Nominated for eight 2010 Austin Critics' Table Awards including "Best Opera"
• Director/Production Designer
2008 I LIKE THINGS THAT ARE REALLY SOMETHING ELSE, FOR REAL, The Blanton Museum of Art
• Museum-theater piece for Austin Museum Day
2008 OUR LADY OF 121st STREET By Stephen Adly Guirgis, The Lab Theatre
• Director/Production Designer
2008 WHY KOREANS DON’T HUG (new play) By Soo-Jin Lee, The Lab Theatre
• Director/Production Designer
2008 BEAT VOICES (museum-theater), Harry Ransom Center
• In conjunction with the exhibition ON THE ROAD WITH THE BEATS
2008 BAD PENNY by Mac Wellman, The Blanton Museum of Art
New York, NY
2006 PITCHED, Actors’ Playhouse
• 10th Annual New York International Fringe Festival
• Director/Production Designer
2004 HEADLINE, BRIC Studio
• Performance and video conceived by
Luke Leonard, Words by Susan Dunlap
2003 THE CRAZY PLAYS, BRIC Studio
• Revised script for BRIC by Jeffrey M. Jones
• Director/Designer
2003 NEW WORK by Luke Leonard, BRIC Studio
• PERFORMANCE RECORD #1
Also produced at Makor, 2007
• EVIL-IN-PROGRESS
Also produced at Little Theatre, 2003
• WONDER/PLAY (music-theatre)
2002 MISTER ORIGINAL BUGG, BRIC Studio & Little Theatre
• World Premiere Short Play By Mac Wellman
• Director/Designer
2002 THE WAR IN HEAVEN, BRIC Studio
• Adapted for the stage, Designer, Performer
2001 DISPOSABLE PLAYS (one-acts), DUMBO Theater eXchange
• Writer/Director/Production Designer
2000 BONY AND POOT, DUMBO Theater eXchange
• Writer/Director/Designer
2000 UNTITLED, 1985, DUMBO Theater eXchange
• The Fourth annual d.u.m.b.o. art under the bridge Festival
• Writer/Director/Designer
1998 NIL TO NIGH, d.u.m.b.o. arts center (dac)
• Collaboration with Yukihiro Nishiyama
• Writer/Director/Designer/Performer
1997 INSIDE THE STATE HOSPITAL, Theater for the New City
• Premiered in an evening called “Hours of Danger”
CONCERT STAGING
2011 THE SECRET AGENT, Merkin Concert Hall, New York
ASSISTANT TO DIRECTOR
2011 THE SECRET AGENT, a new opera by Michael Dellaira and J.D. McClatchy, The Kaye Playhouse (New York)
• Directed by Sam Helfrich
2009 SHAKESPEARE'S SONETTE, Berliner Ensemble (Berlin)
• Directed and Designed by Robert Wilson , Music by Rufus Wainwright
2007 ELEPHANT’S GRAVEYARD, Oscar G. Brockett Theatre (Austin)
• Directed by Laura Kepley, Written by George Brant
1998 WHITE NIGHTS, La Mama, E.T.C. (New York)
• Directed and Adapted by Andrea Paciotto
ACTING *available upon request
OTHER EXPERIENCE:
FILM/VIDEO (screenings are in italics)
• WHITE FLAGS (2010)
Director, Director of Photography, Editor
Music video for The Smoking Flowers
• ANTIQUATED PLAY (2007)
Writer, Director, Editor, Performer, Producer
2007 NYC Premiere, Throckmorton Fine Art, New York, NY
• URCHIN (released by Vanguard Cinema 2007)
A feature film by John Harlacher, produced by 2 Cities Productions
Director of Photography
2007 Rapture Cafe, New York, NY
2007 NYC Premiere, Red Room Theatre, New York, NY
• THINGS THAT AREN’T EVEN THERE (2004)
Director, Director of Photography, Editor
Music video for Pale Blue Dot
• TO HAVE THE SUNSHINE (2004)
Director, Director of Photography, Editor
Music video for Justin Collins
• NO-ACCOUNT FILM (1999)
Writer, Director, Director of Photography, Editor, Producer
2004 Flicker Festival, The Knitting Factory, New York, NY
2000 DUMBO Theater eXchange, Brooklyn, NY
• UNEMPLOYED IN NYC: PORTRAITS FOR YUKIHIRO NISHIYAMA (1998)
2002 BRIC Studio, Brooklyn, NY
2000 DUMBO Theater eXchange, Brooklyn, NY
SELECTED GROUP SHOWS
2010 "GRBL, February 2010." Short video from extended project, “Gay Rodeo By-Laws.” Exhibited at Rossobastardo Live 2010 during Festival dei Due Mondi/Spoleto Festival 53.
2010 "Everything Means Nothing." Short video. Exhibited at Rossobastardo Live 2010 during Festival dei Due Mondi/Spoleto Festival 53.
2009 "The Time It Takes." Installation. Part of the Downtown Austin Alliance “Holiday Stroll." Congress Ave., Austin, TX
SELECTED PERFORMANCES
2010 THE ART OF DEPICTING NATURE AS IT IS SEEN BY TOADS, The Lab Theatre
SELECTED GROUP PERFORMANCES
2008 "Big Time," Okay Mountain, Austin, TX
NOT-FOR-PROFIT
2009-2010 SEASON SELECTION COMMITTEE, The University of Texas at Austin
Committee Member, Graduate Student Body Representative
MONK PARROTS, Inc., New York, NY - 2007 – Present
Founder/Artistic Director
BROOKLYN INFORMATION & CULTURE, BRIC STUDIO - 2001 – 2004
Creator and Curator
• Created and curated and monthly performing arts series called “Theater Nexus” that promoted the work of emerging and established playwrights, directors, actors, artists, musicians, and designers.
• Responsible for reading artist submissions, selecting talent, negotiating artist fees, assembling and proof-reading artist biographies, and event planning.
DUMBO THEATRE EXCHANGE (DTX), Inc. - 2000 – 2007
Founder/Executive Director
• Incorporated the company as a 501(c) 3.
• Implemented and maintained a mission statement that supported emerging theatre artists and the development of cultural activities in the DUMBO, Brooklyn neighborhood.
• Responsible for season planning, marketing, ticketing, rentals, maintenance, and rehearsal and performance bookings for resident companies.
DUMBO ARTS CENTER (DAC) - 1999, 2000, 2001
Theatre Arts Coordinator
• Solicited submissions for the annual d.u.m.b.o. art under the bridge Festival.
• Selected festival participants.
• Compiled all artist bios, proofread, and produced content for festival program.
• Scheduled rehearsal and performance dates.
• Supplied technical assistance to all artists and companies as needed.
• Promoted festival events through email blasts and press invitations.
ADDITIONAL TRAINING:
ACTING
• Viewpoints, The SITI Company, New Dance Group, New York, NY
Instructors: Akiko Aizawa, J. Ed Araiza, Ellen Lauren, Tom Nelis, Barney O’Hanlon
• Joseph Chaikin Master Class, La MaMa La Galleria, New York, NY
DIRECTING
• Master Class in Composition with Anne Bogart, New York, NY
• Joseph Chaikin Master Class, Westbeth Theatre Center, NY
PERFORMANCE ART
• Advanced Performance Art, Professor Michael Smith, Univ. of TX at Austin
INSTALLATION/SCULPTURE
• Installation/Sculpture, Professor Margo Sawyer, Univ. of TX at Austin
TEACHING EXPERIENCE:
MACAULAY HONORS PROGRAM, City University of New York
Instructor - August 25, 2010
Workshop in Ensemble Collaboration and Production
• Introduction to acting, theatre, and ensemble collaboration for non-majors. Develop an understanding and appreciation for the acting craft and the rudiments that can be applied to other collaborative situations.
THE UNIVERISTY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
Instructor - Spring 2009; Fall 2009; Spring 2010
Department of Theatre & Dance: Undergraduate Course
• TD 303 – Fundamentals of Acting. Developing a respect for acting, skills for script analysis, playing an action, and an awareness of time and space. Exercises derived from Meisner and Viewpoints techniques.
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
Teaching Assistant - Fall 2008
Department of Theatre & Dance: Undergraduate Courses Assisted
• TD 351T – Acting for the Camera. Developing the actor’s sense of awareness to his/her “actor type,” fostering a deeply personal acting style for the camera, and learning about the actor-director relationship by collaborating with film students in the creation of dogma-style films.
• TD 313E – Acting III. Based on Sanford Meisner’s premise that, “Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances,” students are introduced to the Meisner technique to help them personalize their association with text, circumstances, and action.
PUBLICATIONS:
Leonard, Luke Landric. “Directing The Difficulty of Crossing a Field: A Symbolic and Corporeal Approach.” MFA Thesis. The University of Texas at Austin. University of Texas Digital Repository. 17 Nov. 2010 http://catalog.lib.utexas.edu/search/X?SEARCH=luke+leonard
Leonard, Luke. “On With The Mission (DTX).” Producing Your Own Showcase. By Paul Harris. Ed. Nicole Potter. New York: Allworth Press, 2001.
BIBLIOGRAPHY:
“Al Teatrino delle Sei in Scena ‘Trilogia Horovitz’, Ovvero La Genesi Della Violenza.” Rev. of L’Indiano Vuole Il Bronx, dir. Luke Leonard. Teatrino delle Sei. Tuttoggi.info 15 Sept. 2009. 10 Nov. 2009 http://www.tuttoggi.info/articolo-17603.php
Beck, Burt and Tamara. “What’s in a Name?” Rev. of Here I Go, dir. Luke Leonard. 59E59 Theaters. T and B On the Aisle – A Theatre Diary. 30 May 2012. 12 June 2012 http://tbontheaisleatheaterdiary.blogspot.com/2012/05/whats-in-name-here-i-go-and-lonely-im.html
Capitta, Gianfranco. “Horovitz, Trilogia delle solitudine.” Il Manifesto 27 Sept. 2009. 10 Nov. 2009 http://rete-eco.it/it/approfondimenti/europa-usa-etc/9060-horovitz-trilogia-della-solitudine.html
Distefano, Giuseppe. “Storie di pregiudizi razziali nella ‘Trilogia’ di Israel Horovitz.” ilsole24ore.com 17 Sept. 2009. 10 Nov. 2009 http://www.ilsole24ore.com/art/SoleOnLine4/Tempo%20libero%20e%20Cultura/2009/09/trilogia-istrael.shtml?uuid=b42e7c4a-a3aa-11de-9cb7-ea7a81dfc3bd&DocRulesView=Libero
Faires, Robert. “TOP 10 Theatrical Wonders of 2010.” No. 4 The Difficulty of Crossing a Field, dir. Luke Leonard. austinchronicle.com 7 Jan. 2011. 10 Jan. 2011 http://www.austinchronicle.com/gyrobase/Issue/story?oid=oid%3A1132652
Fioretti, Anna Lia Sabelli. “Guerra, odio pregiudizi nella trilogia di Horovitz.” Corriere dell’Umbria 8 Sept. 2009. 10 Nov. 2009 http://www.offucina.com/OFFUCINA_ITA/corriere_umbria_09_-_horovitz.html
Hinojosa, Richard. “Pitched.” Rev. of Pitched, dir. Luke Leonard. Actors’ Playhouse. NYTheatre.com 11 Aug. 2006. 29 Nov. 2008 http://www.nytheatre.com/nytheatre/archshow.php?key=777.
Jacobs, Leonard. “DUMBO Stages Flying Under Manhattan Bridge.” Backstage 25-31 January 2002: 3.
Leonard, Luke. "Q&A Preview: After an Earlier Incident (A Dyschronic Romeo & Juliet)." NYTheatre.com 23 February 2013. 7 April 2013 http://www.nytheatre.com/Preview/luke-leonard-producing-artistic-director-of-monk-parrots-after-an-earlier-incident-a-dyschroni
Loney, Glenn. “Avant Garde Down in the Vaults at 14 Wall Street: Monk Parrots' Gay Rodeo By-Laws.” Rev. of GRBL, dir. Luke Leonard. 14 Wall Street. NYTheatre-Wire.com 13 June 2011. 27 June 2011 http://www.nytheatre-wire.com/lt11064t.html
Manni, Antonella. “Trilogia Horovitz Conquista Il Pubblico.” Spoleto City 7 Sept. 2009. 10 Nov. 2009 http://www.spoletocity.com/index.php/societa/spettacolo/2565-qtrilogia-horovitzq-conquista-il-pubblico
Marcos, Charlie. “Charlie Marcos on Here I Go at 59E59 Theaters.” Rev. of Here I Go, dir. Luke Leonard. 59E59 Theaters. Arterynyc.com 4 June 2012. 12 June 2012 http://www.arterynyc.com/2012/06/here-i-go/
Roberts, David. “Here I Go at 59E59 Theater C in Manhattan.” Rev. of Here I Go, dir. Luke Leonard. 59E59 Theaters. Theatre Reviews Limited 25 May 2012. 12 June 2012 http://david.ceoexpress.com/viewpage.asp?tabid=253&messageid=3520
Ryzin, Jeanne Claire van. “Review: ‘The Difficulty of Crossing a Field.’” Austin360 25 April 2010 http://www.austin360.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/austin/seeingthings/entries/2010/04/25/review_the_difficulty_of_cross.html?cxntfid=blogs_austin_arts_seeing_things
Shaw, Helen. “Best of the Fringe 2003.” Rev. of Birdland, perf. Luke Leonard. The Linhart Theatre. The New York Sun 15 Aug. 2003, Arts & Letters sec.: 12.
Simmons, Paulanne. “New Ideas.” The Brooklyn Papers/GO Brooklyn 24 Mar. 2003, Vol. 26, No. 12 ed.: 5.
Simmons, Paulanne. “Odd Couple: DUMBO Theater Showcases new talent in Bony and Poot.” The Brooklyn Papers/GO Brooklyn 20 Nov. 2000, Vol. 23, No. 46.
Smith, Steve. “Gothic Tale Scored in Twists and Turns.” Rev. of The Turn of the Screw, dir. Luke Leonard. Symphony Space. The New York Times 29 May 2012, New York ed: C6. 12 June 2012 http://www.nytimes.com/2012/05/29/arts/music/the-turn-of-the-screw-by-opera-moderne-at-symphony-space.html
Winter, Gary. “Experimental Theater Grows in Brooklyn.” The Brooklyn Rail Winter 2003: 52.
AWARDS:
2015 Manhattan Community Arts Fund Grant
2014 Manhattan Community Arts Fund Grant
2013 Hatchfund Grant
2012 Foundation for Contemporary Arts Emergency Grant
2012 USA Projects Grant
Residencies
2013 The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) Swing Space Artist Residency
2011 The Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC) Swing Space Artist Residency
Observership
2007 Steven Dietz directing Murderers by Jeffrey Hatcher at Seattle Repertory Theatre
The University of Texas at Austin
2009-10 Jack G. Taylor Memorial Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Fine Arts
2009 ZT Scott Travel Grant
2008 Frank C. Erwin, Jr. Centennial Professorship Travel Grant
2008-09 Jack G. Taylor Memorial Endowed Presidential Scholarship in Fine Arts
2008-09 Morton Brown, Nellie Lea Brown, and Minelma Brown Lockwood Scholarship Fund in Drama
2008 The University Co-Op Cohen New Works Research and Development Grant
2007-08 Francis Hodge Endowed Award
2007-08 Georgia B. Lucas Foundation Fund
Brooklyn College, Brooklyn, NY
1997 Joseph Davidson Scholarship
Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
1995 Mel Silverman Scholarship
1993 Mel Silverman Scholarship
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS:
Actors’ Equity Association (AEA)
Barefoot Theatre Company Ensemble Member
Compagnia Horovitz-Paciotto
Dramatists Guild Associate Member
Monk Parrots, Inc.
Screen Actors Guild (SAG-AFTRA)
