ABOUT ME.

Michael León is a writer-director devoted to centering Latiné characters in imaginative, accessible, and provocative narratives. Born and raised in Miami, Florida, Michael was constantly surrounded by loud, hyperbolic Cuban storytellers. His fascination with these complex and surprisingly funny narratives ignited a deep desire to continue in the tradition of sharing stories.

His first play, THE CUBANS, an exploration of the fraught generational dynamics in a Cuban-American family, premiered at Miami New Drama to a sold-out run. He co-created CARLA’S QUINCE, an immersive virtual play, which the Drama League nominated for Outstanding Interactive or Socially-Distanced Theater. Most recently, he provided translations and additional text to the Broadway musical NEW YORK, NEW YORK, directed by Susan Stroman, and music by John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Lin-Manuel Miranda. He is a member of the Dramatist Guild, Latinx Playwright Circle, INTAR Unit 52, and LAByrinth Intensive Ensemble. Michael is currently under commission with Miami New Drama.

As a filmmaker, his short film CRABS IN A BARREL was an official selection at several festivals and eventually won the HBO Latinx Short Film Competition, giving it a home on MAX. He is a recipient of the Sundance Comedy, Latiné, and United Airlines Artist Fellowship and part of the 2022 Sundance Screenwriters and Directors Lab. Michael currently resides in Los Angeles.