Leah Flores

I first became aware of the multi-talented Leah Flores when she played Connie in A Chorus Line in 2019. After that, I started to notice her name popping up everywhere as a choreographer as well as an actor. Leah has a real eye for movement and creates some of the best choreography on the DFW stages. Her recent work on Legally Blonde at NTPA was exceptional, one phenomenal dance number after another. Whether she’s performing or creating, Leah Flores is a winner. Take a few moments to learn more about Leah

When was your first time on stage?

The first time I was on stage as an actor was 2017. I was cast as Marty in Grease. I was surely terrified auditioning but, that’s the reason I wanted to. It was to face my fear of singing on stage. I wasn’t expecting to get anything. I ended up getting cast as a Pink Lady and I was so elated to be there and to learn something new.

When did you realize you have a gift for choreography as well as acting?

I was fifteen when I choreographed my first solo and I performed in my school’s talent show. It was to “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga, of course. Throughout high school, I just kept making dances and I would perform them for my sister in my room. Later, I asked my dance director at the time, if I could set dances on some of the younger dance classes. She surprisingly said yes. I realized when the people in those classes were so excited and happy with the movement, I was setting on them-how fun it was to share what I was making.

When it comes to acting, I fell in love with it around the same time, when I was 15-16 years old. I took theatre in high school, and I loved getting to be completely different than I was. It was something about the pressure of memorizing lines and getting to take on a whole new personality, in a new place, a different time. Something was and is so exciting about that.

When did you know you wanted to be an actor/choreographer?

I knew I wanted to be a choreographer 100% when I was in my senior year of high school. I just kept making dances and I wanted to keep exploring that. I went to my local community college and took a lot of dance classes and started professionally training with companies in the area. I started to get serious about dance. In college, I had dances selected for the American College Dance Festival and I was consistently growing. It just kind of clicked when I saw my dancers on stage one day and thought “this is what I want to keep doing. I want to make this my life.”

Who is your greatest mentor?

My biggest mentor is Brandy Niccolai-Belfi. She was my professor at Tarrant County College Southeast Campus. She was someone who pushed me and genuinely believe in me for years. She pushed me to go to a university- which is something I didn’t think I could do. She completely believed in my dance making ability, pushed my performance range, and challenged me to always try something new. Her teachings have stuck with me and will stick with me for the rest of my life. I am so thankful for her.

What role have you enjoyed the most in your career so far and what show have you most enjoyed choreographing?

My favorite role I have played is Connie Mackenzie in A Chorus Line. That was such a beautiful experience working with Michael Serrecchia. Hearing his stories from the creation of A Chorus Line. I learned so much about myself during that process. I was extremely nervous because I had never done something that big before. I learned that I am capable of a lot more than I thought I was. That show opened a lot of doors for me.... My favorite show to choreograph was In the Heights, to have that as my first musical to make movement for- it was such a gift. It was the first show I really saw myself in and I was in love with the story. I wanted to give my all to that one. I spent months on that choreography and filled a 150-page journal with every movement. I wanted it to be so perfect. I was so nervous because it was my first project out of college. When the audience clapped for close to 2 minutes or so after the opening number. I knew I had to have done something right.

Do you have a dream role as an actor, or a dream show to choreograph?

I have so many dreams roles but my top three must be Lola in ‘Damn Yankees, Vanessa in In the Heights, and Velma in Chicago.

What person(s) would you like to be on stage with?

When it comes to sharing a stage with someone. I want to share the stage with everyone I can. Meeting new people and getting to learn from tons of different people is something I love about this profession.

What performances have you seen that impressed you and are there choreographers you admire?

The four choreographers that I admire the most and are most influential to me as an artist are Pina Bausch, Galen Hooks, Ian Eastwood, and Parris Goebel. I look up to all these creators so much. Their works have really shaped how I work, what I want to create and how I perform. They have such a wonderful ability to tell stories through their movement and that’s something I admire most about them.

What are your career goals?

In my career, I, of course want to perform all over, tour and dance everywhere I can. I have lots of little goals but, I think my biggest is that I just want to create meaningful art and tell stories through movement and performance. However, I can do that, and maintain a creative/ happy place for myself and the people I work with- that means the most to me.

What would people be surprised to learn about you?

I honestly don’t know what people are surprised to know about me. I’m open, I’d love to hear it from their point of view.