New managing and artistic director named for Pittsburgh Playhouse
Kiesha Lalama, a professor of dance at Point Park University, has been appointed managing and artistic director of the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
鈥淭he Pittsburgh Playhouse is a crown jewel of the University and Downtown Pittsburgh. I鈥檓 thrilled to be able to work with artistic partners, colleagues, and community stakeholders to create programming that befits the Playhouse鈥檚 iconic reputation and to take a leading role in continuing to build and revitalize our city鈥檚 vibrant downtown,鈥� she said.
In her new role, Lalama will lead efforts to further develop and engage in community and artistic partnerships, usher in new immersive experiences for audiences, and identify artistic endeavors enabling inter-disciplinary efforts across the university.
As an internationally recognized artist who has created works for stage, film, and television, Lalama has choreographed feature films such as 鈥淭he Perks of Being a Wallflower鈥� and 鈥淪orority Row鈥� as well as the documentary series 鈥淏roadway or Bust,鈥� and television series鈥� 鈥淥utsiders鈥� and 鈥淎merican Rust.鈥�
She has also created three full-length dance theater productions including 鈥淭he Bench: Journey into Love,鈥� 鈥淗eartShakes鈥� and 鈥淏ound in Before.鈥� Lalama recently celebrated 15 years as a professor of dance at the Conservatory of the Performing Arts at Point Park, where her other roles include director of the Jazz Unit and founder and director of the Choreography Collective.
鈥淜iesha鈥檚 creative vision is a recognizable brand in Pittsburgh and we believe her energy, focus and creative know-how will be a tremendous asset to the Pittsburgh Playhouse,鈥� said Ted Black, senior vice president of institutional advancement and strategy at the university.