An 11:11 Experience: Telling Stories That Change the Conversation

An 11:11 Experience is not just a production company. It is a creative force rooted in the belief that storytelling has the power to shift perspectives, ignite emotion and promote real social change. Conceived by writer, director and producer Michael Leoni, the company is a reflection of his deep commitment to using both theater and film as tools to challenge audiences and open important conversations about society’s most pressing issues.
From its earliest days, An 11:11 Experience has stood apart by creating work that aims to connect, not just entertain. The name itself reflects a sense of synchronicity and purpose, grounded in the idea that certain moments carry deeper meaning. This philosophy is evident in every project the company chooses to develop. Its work often centers around individuals and communities whose voices are often overlooked. By giving a platform to these stories, the company does more than produce content. It builds bridges of empathy and understanding.
The company’s first major breakthrough in Los Angeles was the stage production of The Playground. This music-infused play was inspired by the lives of homeless youth and teenage runaways. The raw and emotionally charged narrative resonated strongly with audiences. The Playground ran for six successful engagements and drew the attention of both the theater community and advocates for homeless youth. It was not just a show. It was a call to action. This project laid the foundation for what An 11:11 Experience would become known for. Its dedication to meaningful, brave storytelling.
Following the success of The Playground, the company continued its journey with Elevator, a sharply written comedic stage play that takes place in an elevator with seven strangers. The show ran for ten months and was well received by critics and audiences alike. It earned Critic’s Choice from the Los Angeles Times and secured eleven nominations from Broadway World, including Best New Work. While different in tone from The Playground, Elevator still reflected the company’s knack for character-driven stories that explore human complexity and relationships in unexpected ways.
Theater remained an essential part of the company’s work, but its storytelling extended into the world of film as well. An 11:11 Experience produced several impactful film projects that maintained its core values of social awareness and emotional truth. One of its most widely recognized films is American Street Kid, a documentary that offers an unfiltered look at the lives of homeless youth in the United States. The film, now available on Amazon Prime, iTunes and Google Play, received multiple awards and praise for its honesty and compassion. It gave a face and voice to a crisis that often goes unseen, further establishing the company’s reputation for bold, human-centered storytelling.
In 2021, the company released #WhenTodayEnds, a narrative feature exploring teen suicide through the stories of four young people who post their final messages online. The film approached a deeply sensitive topic with care, shedding light on the internal struggles many teens face. It served as a reminder of the power of film to not only reflect reality but also reach those in need of connection and understanding. By dealing with issues like mental health and emotional isolation, the company once again showed its commitment to subjects that matter.
Another striking production from An 11:11 Experience is Famous, a hybrid project that blends elements of live theater with narrative filmmaking. Famous dives into the dark side of Hollywood and examines issues of sexual abuse and manipulation in the industry. It follows the psychological unraveling of Jason Mast, a celebrity who sets out to expose the truth behind a night that changed many lives. The production ran for a year at the 11:11 Theatre in West Hollywood and was praised for its innovative direction and haunting performances. Like many of the company’s works, Famous did not shy away from discomfort. Instead, it leaned into the difficult questions surrounding fame, power and responsibility.
The company was also a member of the producing team for Shakespeare’s Othello, contributing to a broader collaboration. The production featured acclaimed actors Jake Gyllenhaal and Denzel Washington and was performed on Broadway, showing the company’s ability to take risks even with well-known material.
Another major theater production includes the Broadway premiere of Call Me Izzy, starring the celebrated actress Jean Smart. The company is ready to add another layer to the company’s theatrical success, with its upcoming Broadway staging of Waiting for Godot starring Keanu Reeves.
An 11:11 Experience has also expanded into television with its series in development titled St. Mark’s Academy for Boys. The show is described as a dark coming-of-age story set in an elite all-boys school in the United States. With themes of identity, pressure and institutional control, it promises to continue the company’s tradition of addressing social themes in a deeply human way.
Currently, the company is preparing for production on its newest project, The Fear Project: Part One – Trauma. This upcoming work is expected to delve into the complexities of trauma and the human capacity to process and confront pain. Staying true to the company’s mission, the project aims to explore the emotional layers of fear and resilience with honesty and artistic courage.
Throughout its body of work, An 11:11 Experience has demonstrated a consistent commitment to courage in storytelling. Whether through film, theater or television, each project is designed to spark dialogue and inspire empathy. The company’s productions are not created just for applause or awards. They are crafted to move people, to challenge them and to change the way they see the world.
Michael Leoni’s vision has turned An 11:11 Experience into a unique voice in the entertainment landscape. While many companies focus on trends and profits, An 11:11 Experience is rooted in purpose. It remains dedicated to telling stories that matter, stories that can heal, awaken and connect. In a time when so much of media is saturated with surface-level content, this company continues to dig deeper, to ask harder questions and to listen more closely to the unheard.
By choosing art as its medium and humanity as its message, An 11:11 Experience reminds us that storytelling is not just about entertainment. It is about truth. It is about empathy. And most of all, it is about the power of a story well told to change the conversation.