Lelund Durond on Clubhouse

Bio

I’m Lelund Durond Thompson, founder of Lelund Durond Studios. I enjoy using my skills as an actor, acting coach, photographer, writer and director to tell stories that heal and capture people in their best light.
After studying acting at North Carolina A&T State University (BFA) and Case/Cleveland Play House (MFA), I started my career as a professional actor in New York while also working regional, off-Broadway and international shows in theaters and venues like Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, Actors Theatre of Louisville and the Sons d’Hiver Festival in Paris (with iconic American artist Melvin van Peebles).
In 2010, I discovered my passion for photography. Since then, my photos have been featured in publications like The New York Times, LA Times, People Magazine, GQ and Playbill. I’ve enjoyed capturing artists from Ricky Martin to Sting, Daniel Radcliff to Danielle Brooks, Cynthia Erivo, Corey Hawkins, and many of New York’s and Hollywood’s most talented artists.
One of my favorite survival jobs was as the “on-camera guy” at one of the biggest talent agencies in New York (for minimum wage). I combined my love for coaching and videography to help many of their clients book their dream roles in theater, television, and film. After being denied a raise and told that I should be happy to work for the agency, I chose to launch my own company.
In 2016, the world famous Apollo Theater (in collaboration with The Classical Theatre of Harlem) premiered “The First Noel”, an original holiday musical I wrote with Special Tony Award recipient, Jason Michael Webb (“Respect”, Executive Music Producer). Jason and I are currently writing a new musical, “WiLDFLOWER”, being developed by National Black Theater in Harlem, New York.
In 2014, I founded Lelund Durond Studios, attracting and securing clients/projects
like Diane Guerrero and Joivan Wade (“Doom Patrol”, HBO Max), Radha
Blank (Sundance 2019 Directing Award Winner for “The Forty Year Old Version”,
coming to Netflix) and "Respect", the upcoming MGM feature film about the life
of Aretha Franklin (featuring clients Jennifer Hudson and Marlon Wayans).