 He was nominated for a Tony Award in 2010 for Best Director for his work on August Wilson's "Fences", starring Denzel Washington and Viola Davis, earning them both nominations and wins for Best Performance for Male and Female in a Play.In November 2010, Leon directed Phylicia Rashad in the world premiere stage play "Every Tongue Confess" written by Marcus Gardley, which ran at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C.

Leon has also directed plays at the Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, the Huntington Theatre Company in Boston, the New York Shakespeare Festival, and the Goodman Theatre in Chicago among many others.In January 2012, he completed a Lifetime Original Television remake of "Steel Magnolias".