Photographer: Jeremy Fokkens
LISA LA TOUCHE
(proud tap dancer, choreographer, director and mom)
As a proud Canadian and New Yorker, Lisa’s credits are world renowned. She was an original cast member in Broadway’s Shuffle Along, choreographed by Savion Glover and Directed by George C. Wolfe, where she received both the Fred Astaire Award and the Actor’s Equity Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus. Her TV credits include the 70th Annual Tony Awards and Amazon’s Original “Z, The beginning of everything”. Previous highlights have also included touring with the Savion Glover production, Stepz, and also performing with both New York's Off-Broadway and the North American touring casts of STOMP. Since 2010 she has run her own performance company Tap Phonics and has been commissioned to present for such organizations such as The Brooklyn Museum, 92Y, Gibney Dance and Fall For Dance North. As an educator and Professor she has taught for PACE University, NYU, The School of Jacob’s Pillow, University of Calgary, Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, Rosie’s Theater Kids and member of the creative council for the American Tap Dance Foundation. Her most recent endeavor has been writing and directing her debut film TRAX encompassing her journey back to Alberta while discovering important local black history. Above all, her proudest achievement greatest inspiration, is the gift of being a mom.
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A STATEMENT FROM LISA
I am a Tap Dancer. To practice this art form, know its people, and be one of many representatives of such a rich and resilient legacy, is a high honor. It is the lens that I look through in all my artistic endeavors. Adding to this, as a Black woman, cultural context and meaning making are held up at the highest integral value as I continue to research, express, educate, share and simply ENJOY the journey of LIFE as it is a process. My heart beats as my passion pushes me towards greater purposes all stemming from the simplicity of curiosity. I want to hear stories, dig into crates, sharpen my skills and circle up and just dance until infinity. Therefore, as a performing artist and fellow creative, I delight in connecting and engaging with humanity through rhythm, storytelling and community development initiatives leading us towards us all as We: The People.
While I have been blessed with a successful career and considered a leader, I believe I am here to simply serve and do my part in the great works that must get done. To me, Freedom is the fearlessness of expression, existence and knowledge of which we all deserve.