LISA LA TOUCHE | Tap dancer
City: Calgary/New York
Instagram: @lisalatouche
Previous work: “Shuffle Along” on Broadway, Tap Dance Legacy Concert, 70th Annual Tony Awards, and Amazon Original “Z”, Stepz, TRAX
Lisa La Touche, a dynamic artist hailing proudly from both Canada and New York, is a luminary in the world of dance and performance. Renowned for her exceptional talent, Lisa’s journey has been punctuated by remarkable achievements.
An integral member of Broadway’s groundbreaking production “Shuffle Along”, choreographed by Savion Glover and directed by George C. Wolfe, Lisa’s brilliance earned her accolades including the Fred Astaire Award and the Actor’s Equity Award for Outstanding Broadway Chorus. This was merely the prelude to her ongoing success.
Lisa’s artistry transcends stages and screens. From her electrifying appearances at Harlem’s iconic Cotton Club alongside Dormeshia Sumbry, to her contributions in the Off-Broadway and North American touring casts of STOMP, her footprint in entertainment is indelible. She’s graced the illustrious Tony Awards stage and enriched Amazon’s “Z, The Beginning of Everything”.
A paragon of versatility, Lisa established her own performance company, Tap Phonics, captivating audiences worldwide. Her pedagogical prowess shines through as she imparts wisdom to eager minds at institutions like PACE University and the University of Calgary. Lisa’s commitment to preserving tap’s heritage is evident in her co-curation of the Tap Dance Legacy Series, fostering cultural appreciation.
Lisa’s creative reach extends beyond performance. She ventured into filmmaking with her debut documentary TRAX, which chronicles her journey back to Alberta while unearthing local black history. Amidst all her accomplishments, Lisa treasures her role as a mother, a testament to her boundless inspiration.
More about Lisa La Touche
What is your biggest professional achievement?
“Performing in Shuffle Along on Broadway. Yes, sure, it was “Broadway”… but for me, it was spending 2 years learning and embodying the Black pioneers on Broadway from 1921 who were mostly forgotten about and bringing that history back in the lime light. Nevertheless, I got to do this with the Direction of George C. Wolfe and with Savion Glover as our choreographer and shared the stage and experience with Audra McDonald and Billy Porter among other incredible and iconic artists. That show changed my life.”
What obstacles/challenges have you had to face to get to where you are today?
“Being an Artist can be challenging… the lifestyle and the stigma. Now add the fact that my artistry is Tap Dance. It can be hard to wrap ones brain around making a living from Tap Dancing. But the doors keep opening!! I’d say that the biggest challenge I’ve experienced as a Tap Dancer is simply pushing through what the outside world things it is. This art form is so hip and so sacred and VERY sophisticated. It ain’t goin anywhere… I just can’t anymore with “isn’t that a dying art form”… the lack of consciousness can be frustrating and tiring. But the fun is in simply exposing everyone to it. Everyone loves Tap Dance!! They just gotta see it!”
What’s something people should know about you?
“I’m a mom :). And it’s my favorite role in the world. I learn more and more that we are borrowing this precious earth from our children. Caring for them means doing our part in ushering a little more kindness, reverence, and safety within our immediate environments. It’s taught me so much on the importance of advocating for genuine and sincere inclusivity and demonstrating a sprit of compassion. And as an artist… it’s deepened what I have to express and made my time that I spend with my art that much more sacred.”
