Photo by Steve Korn
Lisa Kwak is a performing artist whose professional experiences expand across an array of dance and theater genres: from experimental, immersive, durational performance art, to golden age musical theatre, to contemporary concert dance, dance improv, and more. Lisa is a constantly curious artist and loves building and expanding community through art.
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Lisa has performed with companies and theaters including 5th Avenue Theatre, Alana O Rogers Dance, Chamber Dance Company (Dir, Hannah C Wiley, Rachael Lincoln), dani tirrell & the Congregation, Gansango Dance Company (Dir. Etienne Cakpo), The Guild Dance Company (Dir. Alex Ung), PRICEarts (Dir. Noel Price-Bracey and Tessa Banales), Ronald K Brown/EVIDENCE Dance Company, the Three Yells (Dir. Veronica Lee Bek), and the Village Theatre. She’s been hired to in dance festivals including the Seattle International Dance Festival (SIDF), STG presents DANCE this, TINT Dance Festival, Converge Dance Festival, Intersections Festival, and NextFest NorthWest produced by Velocity Dance Center.
As a dance maker, Lisa was selected as a 2021 Village Theatre Northwest Creator Resident, and has been commissioned to create works for numerous festivals and companies. Her most recent work was seen at Show 6 produced by CO- Seattle, BOOST Dance Festival produced by eXitSPACE, and PORTALS produced by Velocity Dance Center. Her dance films have been presented at the Strictly Seattle Dance Festival, Local Sightings Film Festival, and Fuselage Dance Film Festival. Lisa was the associate choreographer of Chicago (Ballyhoo Theatre), and has been rehearsal assistants for Alethea Alexander, Etienne Cakpo, and Ronald K. Brown.
Lisa holds a BA from the University of Washington with majors in dance and international studies. Her academic achievements include the University of Washington Dean's Medal for the College of Arts & Sciences division of the Arts (2018), the George and Barbara Akers Scholarship (2017), the Jackson School of International Studies Undergraduate Book Award (2018), the Dance Program Scholarship Award (2017), the Purple and Gold Scholarship (2014 - 2018), membership to Phi Beta Kappa, and her presence the Annual Dean's List (2014-2018). While at the UW, she studied abroad for one quarter each in San Sebastián, Spain, Rome, Italy, and New York University.
Lisa has also studied at the Ronald K. Brown/ EVIDENCE Dance Company Summer Intensive as a Beth Young Scholarship recipient, the Doug Varone Winter Intensive, Hubbard Street Summer Intensive, San Francisco Conservatory of Dance Summer Intensive, Strictly Seattle (Dance Film Track), and Seattle Festival of Dance Improv.
Lisa is born of mixed Korean, Japanese, and American heritage. Born and raised in the international-school community of Tokyo, Japan, Lisa has a multicultural background that informs her perspective. At the heart of Lisa's practice, is the belief that dance and theater have the power to inspire positive change and is a tool of resilience for individuals and communities. She works to perform and create art that will celebrate the human condition in all its pain, joy, and beauty.