ESIE MENSAH | Dancer | Choreographer, director, dancer, movement director, educator
City: Hamilton/Toronto
Instagram: @esiemensah
Previous work: “Shades”, “Serving Elizabeth”, “Treemonisha: A Musical Reimagining”, “The Call”, “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom”
Esie Mensah stands as a remarkable force in the world of performing arts, an award-winning choreographer, director, dancer, movement director, educator, and TEDx speaker. With a multifaceted career that spans across genres and mediums, Mensah’s contributions have left an indelible mark on the global stage.
As a proud member of the Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers, Mensah’s prowess as an artist has earned her widespread recognition and accolades. Her creative brilliance has been acknowledged with two Dora nominations, a testament to her exceptional talent and dedication.
Mensah’s artistic journey has woven her into the fabric of iconic projects and collaborations. She has graced the world’s most illustrious stages and worked alongside megastars like Rihanna, Drake, Janelle Monae, Nelly Furtado, and Arcade Fire, infusing her unique dance touch into their performances. Her artistic vision has also resonated with historic brands such as Holt Renfrew, Coca-Cola, TIFF, Art Gallery of Ontario, and the Toronto Raptors, underscoring her ability to seamlessly blend movement with storytelling and branding.
Her imprint can be felt in acclaimed productions like “Russian Play,” “Victory,” and “Farmers’ Revolt” at the prestigious Shaw Festival. Her contributions extend to Soulpepper’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” Musical Stage/Obsidian’s “Dixon Road,” Canadian Stage’s “New Monuments,” and Theatre Aquarius’ “Serving Elizabeth.” In each endeavor, Mensah’s artistry breathes life into narratives, adding layers of emotion and depth to the storytelling.
Her original creations stand as a testament to her innovation and artistry. Works like “ZAYO”, the Dora-nominated “Shades”, and her foray into the world of film with “A Revolution of Love” and “TESSEL” underscore her boundless creativity and versatility.
Mensah’s influence has even reached the hallowed halls of Canada’s National Ballet School. She was commissioned for the groundbreaking Assemblée International” collaborating with Robert Binet to co-choreograph the world premiere of “The Call”, This Afrofusion and Ballet masterpiece showcased her ability to bridge diverse movement styles, creating an unforgettable experience for both local and international students.
One of her standout achievements was her role as the choreographer for “Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha: A Musical Reimagining”, presented by TOLive, the Luminato Festival, and Volcano Theatre. This production exemplified Mensah’s ability to breathe new life into classics, infusing them with her distinctive artistic vision.
In the tapestry of the performing arts, Esie Mensah‘s name shines brightly, her contributions forever etched in the annals of creativity and expression. As a choreographer, director, dancer, and educator, her impact radiates far beyond the stage, inspiring generations to come.
More about Esie Mensah
What is your biggest professional achievement?
“My two biggest professional achievements would be choreographing for Scott Joplin’s historic opera Treemonisha: A Musical Reimagining which took place this year. The second one would be delivering my first TEDx talk in 2019.”
What obstacles/challenges have you had to face to get to where you are today?
“The biggest challenge that I had to face was my willingness to persevere. I navigated a lot of doubt due to the challenges that I went through in my career like I was told that I was too dark to be casted in performance opportunities. Many doors closed but my talent would be the reason why some remained open. I knew this wasn’t the career I had dreamed of when I was younger. My spirit recognized that these obstacles could not be the end but a new beginning. I had to learn to dig deep within myself to fight for the vision that I felt inside. New pathways began to open and more obstacles arose however as the situations became clearer I knew I had what it would take to make my dreams become reality. What I am standing on now is in direct relationship to what I worked to overcome. It was not easy but it molded me to carve out a path that is a true reflection of my authentic self.”
What’s something people should know about you?
“That I am a silly person at heart. I love to laugh and be around good company. Family and close friends mean the world to me.”
