Kiesha Lalama, interim Dean of Theatre, Film, and Animation at Point Park University and Executive Producer of the Pittsburgh Playhouse, is a celebrated leader, educator, and artist whose influence spans over 30 years in the performing arts industry. With a passion for bringing people together, Kiesha fosters collaboration, inspires innovation, and empowers communities through her multifaceted contributions.

As co-creator and choreographer of the Jimmy Awards® (Broadway), Kiesha has spent 15 years shaping the nationally recognized program that impacts more than 140,000 students annually. In her leadership role at the Pittsburgh Playhouse, she has driven exceptional growth by expanding organizational engagement by over 300% through the launch of annual fundraising exceeding $400,000, the establishment of eight new community partnerships, and the creation of five new arts education initiatives. Under her leadership, the Playhouse also achieved a more than 200% increase in patrons, while adding 80 donors and 12 corporate sponsors. Her visionary approach continues through groundbreaking projects, including the upcoming world premiere of ASCEND.

Kiesha’s choreography credits include feature films “The Perks of Being a Wallflower” and “Sorority Row”, PBS documentary series “Broadway or Bust”, critically acclaimed television series “Outsiders” (WGN), and “American Rust” (Showtime). Her internationally recognized concert dance works, including Shed (DCDC), Catapult (Dance Kaleidoscope), and Alegria (Giordano Dance Chicago) have been performed across six countries in Europe and Asia. National choreography highlights include Kinex (Joyce Theater NYC), Aftermath (Dance Kaleidoscope), Wish (Missouri Contemporary Ballet), Jolt and Unsung Moment (Houston MET Dance Company), and Vicious Cycle (Eisenhower Dance Ensemble). Kiesha has also created three critically acclaimed full-length dance theater productions: The Bench: Journey into Love, HeartShakes, and Bound in Before.

Her choreography work in regional theater includes All Shook Up (North Shore Music Theatre), Jesus Christ Superstar (Kansas City Starlight Theatre), and Into the Woods (Arsht Center). Additional credits include Shrek, Big Fish, Sweeney Todd, and Ragtime (Lincoln Park Performing Arts Center), as well as Judge Jackie Justice, Ruthless! The Musical, First Date, and Grand Night for Singing (Pittsburgh CLO).

Kiesha’s creative direction and production expertise have elevated events such as the Pittsburgh Steelers Fashion Show, Children’s Hospital 125th Anniversary Gala, Shadyside Hospital 150th Anniversary Gala, the G20 Summit Colcom Celebration of Peace, the Gene Kelly Awards (18 years), Pittsburgh Botanic Gardens, Howard Hanna Real Estate, PNC Park SkyBlast events, and Violins of Hope project.

Her achievements have been recognized with numerous accolades, including awards from the Pittsburgh Business Times Women of Influence, Honorary Jimmy Award, Dance Masters of America President’s Award 2026, Jazz Dance World Congress, Youth America Grand Prix’s Top 12, Dance Magazine’s “Top 25 to Watch,” and the prestigious Edward Caton Award from Point Park University’s Dance Department. Kiesha’s influence extends through her guest artist residencies, teaching, and speaking engagements, which include TEDx Pittsburgh, the Broadway League Conference, Dance Masters of America, Dance Educators of America, APAP, Broadway Dance Center, and international programs such as In Motion (Bermuda).

Kiesha is the visionary behind transformative educational initiatives at Point Park University. Her work includes the innovative three-year accelerated BFA in Performance and Creative Industries, the Choreography Collective, the MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts program, the Fall into Dance Festival, the Spring into Theatre Festival, the ARTfully UPlifting sensory-friendly project, and a newly established exchange partnership with the University of York in the UK. She holds an MFA in Interdisciplinary Arts from Goddard College.

Above all, Kiesha cherishes the unconditional love and support of her two sons, Jacob and Jaxon, and her husband, Dr. David Schmidt, who inspire her every day.