Martin Leonard

I'm a director and workshop facilitator currently based in London. I was recently an Associate Director at Shakespeare's Globe where my work involved contributing to an initiative to improve the theatre's relationships with other local theatre based organisations. This has led me to create work with the Soldiers' Arts Academy, Clean Break and London Bubble. It's also given me a newfound respect for Shakespeare and the innate ability of his work to unlock the creative potential of others.
I really love working as a freelance workshop leader and am a facilitator with the Old Vic Theatre, Shakespeare Schools Festival and the charity Tender.
For five years I was resident director at Descent, a new writing initiative based at Rich Mix in Bethnal Green. We encouraged writers to submit short plays which could then be developed in to 'scratch' level performances, watched by audiences who would provide constructive feedback.

He/Him/His

Credits

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Shakespeare's Globe, 6 months, 2019
DIRECTOR, Kes (remount), Leeds Playhouse, 4 weeks, 2019
DIRECTOR, Shakespeare and Remembrance, Shakespeare's Globe, one night, 2018
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, Ralegh: The Treason Trial, Shakespeare's Globe, 3 weeks, 2018
DIRECTOR, 80 Years On: Kinderstransport Tales, Multiple Projects nationwide, 4 weeks, 2018
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, Persuasion, National Tour, 12 weeks, 2018
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, The Country Wife, Chichester Festival Theatre, 6 weeks, 2018
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, Boudica, Shakespeare's Globe, 6 weeks, 2017
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, Gabriel, National Tour, 7 weeks, 2017
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, All the Angels, Shakespeare's Globe, 11 weeks, 2016/17
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, Kes, Leeds Playhouse, 4 weeks, 2016
ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, Wanted, Transform Festival, 1 week, 2016
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, Great Expectations, Leeds Playhouse, 4 weeks, 2016
DIRECTOR, You, Me, and the Way the World Ends, Leeds Playhouse, 1 week, 2016
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Leeds Playhouse, 3 months, 2015/16
RESIDENT DIRECTOR, Descent New Writing Initiative, Rich Mix, 2010-2015
CO-DIRECTOR, Pizzeria dall'Opera, Bush Theatre, 2 weeks, 2014
DIRECTOR, Fitting Room, Southwark Playhouse, 1 week, 2013

Training

Theatre Directing MFA - Birkbeck College, University of London