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Leon Bridges

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Finalist

Bio

Hi! My name is Leon and a passionate goal of mine is to increase Black and Brown LGBTQIA2S+ communities through the performing arts community! As a Black trans-man myself, I enjoy playwriting, acting, singing, and dance. I am a part of the performing arts student pool at Ohio Wesleyan University. I am currently pursuing my Bachelor's degree in the Arts at OWU, and I am planning to major in Theatre and Communications. My ultimate goal is to become a writer and launch a non-profit organization for Black and Brown LGBTQIA2S+ youth in the performing arts. As of March 5th, 2026, I made my literary debut through Ohio Wesleyan's Literary Journal (OWL).

Education

Ohio Wesleyan University

Bachelor's degree program
2025 - 2029
  • Majors:
    • Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
  • GPA:
    4

Ohio Wesleyan University

Bachelor's degree program
2025 - 2029
  • Majors:
    • Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
  • Minors:
    • Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other

Miscellaneous

  • Desired degree level:

    Bachelor's degree program

  • Graduate schools of interest:

  • Transfer schools of interest:

  • Majors of interest:

    • Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
    • English Language and Literature, General
    • Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs, Other
  • Not planning to go to medical school
  • Career

    • Dream career field:

      Performing Arts

    • Dream career goals:

      Playwright, Writer, Journalist, Actor, Documentarian

    • Phi Eta Sigma

      Phi Eta Sigma Member
      2026 – Present4 months
    • Carpentry Crew, Set Crew, Sound Crew

      Ohio Wesleyan University Performing Arts Department
      2026 – Present4 months
    • Office Staff

      OMSA (Office of Multicultural Student Affairs, OWU)
      2025 – Present1 year
    • Recreation and Park Aide

      AJRP (Apps Jobs Readiness Program)
      2025 – 2025

    Sports

    Softball

    Club
    2015 – 2015

    Volleyball

    Junior Varsity
    2019 – 20201 year

    Basketball

    Junior Varsity
    2021 – 20221 year

    Arts

    • Ohio Wesleyan University English Department

      Theatre
      "Praise", Literary debut script
      2026 – Present
    • Ohio Wesleyan University Performing Arts Department

      Theatre
      Into the Woods
      2026 – Present
    • Ohio Wesleyan University Performing Arts Department

      Acting
      Macbeth
      2025 – 2025
    • Fort Hayes Metropolitan Education Center

      Visual Arts
      2023 – 2025

    Public services

    • Volunteering

      House of Prayer, Hope, and Deliverance — Serving food and dishing school supplies for the people who need it, directing people to the food (free) that was located at our church.
      2023 – 2023

    Future Interests

    Advocacy

    Entrepreneurship

    Justin Burnell Memorial Scholarship
    Growing up as a small Black girl, it was already difficult to get a glimpse of POC representation without the stereotypes and disposable-black-peoples archetype. Even as I was coming up, seeing a black girl reflected in towering European structures, thrones, corsets and Victorian Era dresses -- I could see myself in the power, but not the narrative. Now, as a transmasculine Black man in university who also happens to identify as gay and aroace, this has become increasingly difficult. It isn't uncommon to see the average White enemies-to-lovers relationship on TV or bursting on social media. But as I grew further and further closer to my identity then, I realized I personally had never seen a written or filmed story of two trans Black men in love. It is already difficult to find proper trans representation that does not treat the central trans character as a individual that revolves around the lives of other characters, a fetish, or as a problem that needs to be resolved. But on that note, the same story is eerily reflected onto my life. My family is not supportive. I have been constantly misgendered, invalidated of my identity, interrogated, and on occasion breached of my privacy and disrespected outright. As I become and am in the becoming of being a trans man; I decided to take the task upon myself. I realize my passion lies in writing stories for the minoritized - ones who've felt seen yet unseen as they watch an "all inclusive" queer show that happens to have a predominantly White cast or centered around a White love story. What I also happen to see are Black love stories revolved around promiscuity and/or sexual behavior. I want to show that Black queer love can be slow, comfortable, soft, and fulfilling. I want to show that not all Black women have to be shoved into the "Angry/Loud-Black-Woman" stereotype, or that the Black gay male doesn't always have to be feminized or vulnerable for simply proclaiming who they love. I want to show that my writing is not an overwhelming act of advocacy, or that I'm taking a step that has not already been carved by my ancestors and Black and Brown peoples before me. I want to write about queer love that isn't ostracized in our own communities, with that being the Black, Brown, and LGBTQIA2S+ community itself. I want to be able to perform in a show that I personally feel comfortable in because there is at least one other originally Black trans man written into the cast, and not see myself as a stepping stone. I want to create more spaces where Black queer love isn't seen as a stepping stone or a colossal movement of expression. Eventually, my ultimate wish is to begin a non-profit theatre organization dedicated to encouraging, casting, and commemorating POC LGBTQIA2S+ youth interested in writing or acting productions or pieces in the performing arts. I feel these are the spaces desperately needed for intersectionality and representation. This is what I yearned to have growing up as a young Black trans queer activist.