MEET KIESHA
Choreographer – Educator – Leader – Motivator
Inspiration in Action
As a Choreographer, Kiesha Lalama has created more than 50 works to date. Kiesha choreographed feature films, The Perks of Being a Wallflower and Sorority Row, hit television documentary Broadway or Bust (PBS), and television series Outsiders (WGN). Theatrical credits include Jimmy Awards (Broadway), All Shook Up (North Shore Music Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (Kansas City Starlight Theatre), Into the Woods (Arsht Performing Arts Center) and First Date, Judge Jackie Justice, Ruthless! The Musical and A Grand Night for Singing (Pittsburgh CLO). Concert dance highlights include Shed (DCDC), Alegria (Giordano Dance Chicago), Catapult (Dance Kaleidoscope) and Torque (August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble). Full-evening works include The Bench, Journey into Love, HeartShakes, and Bound in Before.
Lalama’s first full-length dance theater work, The Bench- Journey into Love is in development for future productions. The Bench received rave reviews and was awarded Best Theatrical Event, Best New Show, and Best Choreography by Dayton’sMostMetro.com, Saluting Dayton’s 2018-2019 Theatrical Season. The Bench was also awarded as the Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s “Best of Dance” Top Ten list in both 2009 and 2010. Bound in Before was recognized as Best Feel-Good Show in Pittsburgh Post Gazette’s “Best of Dance” list in 2019.
Lalama has also choreographed works and events for diverse companies such as, Ballet Arkansas, Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, Jazz Dance World Congress, Missouri Contemporary Ballet, the Youth American Grand Prix, TEDx Pittsburgh, Opening events for PNC Park, Pittsburgh CLO Guild Ball, WQED Elsie Awards, Richard Rogers Awards and Tech 50 Awards.
In 2009, Kiesha Lalama was named one of Dance Magazine’s “25 to Watch” and has been awarded a Leo’s Award for choreography at the Jazz Dance World Congress. The Youth American Grand Prix has twice named Lalama to the coveted “Top 12” and honored her with numerous Outstanding Choreography Awards.
As an Educator, Kiesha serves as a Professor in the Point Park University Dance Department and as the Director of Community Engagement for the Pittsburgh CLO. She has taught master classes and workshops for Cirque Du Soleil, Dance Kaleidoscope, DCDC, Houston Metropolitan Dance Company, Eisenhower Dance Ensemble, Oakland University, Carnegie Mellon University, Wright State University, Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet, San Antonio’s Trilogy, Booker T. Washington H.S. for the Performing and Visual Arts, Dance Masters, and Dance Educators of America.
As a Podcast Host, Kiesha brings real stories from real people to help guide listeners on their path to perform at their very best in any field. The Pathways to Perform podcast helps to inspire, educate, and motivate young adults who dare to chase their dreams. Guests include Broadway veterans, educators, leaders, professional athletes, executives, creatives, and rising stars. Pathways to perform is available on YouTube and any major podcast platform.
As a Guest Speaker, Kiesha guides people to further explore their intellectual curiosities while better understanding the value and benefits of owning their assets. Kiesha offers Key Note inspiring speaking engagements and Q&A sessions for audiences ranging from young adults to seasoned professionals.
Kiesha Lalama graduated with an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College and has her BA in Dance from Point Park University. Kiesha is a proud member of SDC. Kiesha’s inspiration, courage and strength are summoned through her proudest accomplishment, her two sons: Jake and Jax.