Leesa Castaneda
Latest News on Leesa Castaneda:
Photo Flash: Orlando Shakes Presents IN THE HEIGHTS! (Aug 23, 2018)
IN THE HEIGHTS At Orlando Shakes Stars Local And National Latinx Talent (Jul 20, 2018)
Lineup Announced for 2018 Orlando Fringe Winter Mini-Fest (Oct 30, 2017)
Photo Flash: Orlando Shakes Presents IN THE HEIGHTS! (Aug 23, 2018)
IN THE HEIGHTS At Orlando Shakes Stars Local And National Latinx Talent (Jul 20, 2018)
Lineup Announced for 2018 Orlando Fringe Winter Mini-Fest (Oct 30, 2017)
BIO
Leesa Castaneda is an actor, singer, director, playwright and producer. She has performed with various theatres including Garden Theatre, CFVA, Theatre Downtown, Greater Orlando Actors Theatre, Orlando Shakespeare Theater and St Luke’s Theater. Some of her favorite roles are; Blanche-A Streetcar Named Desire, Diana-Next to Normal, Lady-Orpheus Descending, Camilla -In The Heights and her most recent role as Gloria Fajardo in On Your Feet. Leesa wrote and performed the one-woman show, "La Reina Yolanda", at the 2017 Orlando Fringe Festival for which she won the Critics’ Choice award for Best Female Performance. At Orlando Fringe 2022 she directed, The Mockingbird News for which she won a Critics Choice award for Best Director. Leesa studied at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York and has numerous film and television credits. She is a member of SAG/AFTRA and AEA.
News
Photo Flash: Orlando Shakes Presents IN THE HEIGHTS!
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 23, 2018
Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF's production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights runs from September 5 - October 7, 2018. Tickets (starting at $30) are available now by phone (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 23, 2018
Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF's production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights runs from September 5 - October 7, 2018. Tickets (starting at $30) are available now by phone (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).
IN THE HEIGHTS At Orlando Shakes Stars Local And National Latinx Talent
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 20, 2018
Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF's production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights runs from September 5 - October 7, 2018. Tickets (starting at $30) are available now by phone (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).
by A.A. Cristi - Jul 20, 2018
Orlando Shakes in partnership with UCF's production of Lin-Manuel Miranda's In the Heights runs from September 5 - October 7, 2018. Tickets (starting at $30) are available now by phone (407) 447-1700 ext. 1, online at orlandoshakes.org, or in person at the John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center (812 East Rollins Street).
Lineup Announced for 2018 Orlando Fringe Winter Mini-Fest
by BWW News Desk - Oct 30, 2017
This afternoon the Orlando Fringe released the names of each of the 26 shows that will be appearing at their upcoming Winter Mini-Fest in January.
by BWW News Desk - Oct 30, 2017
This afternoon the Orlando Fringe released the names of each of the 26 shows that will be appearing at their upcoming Winter Mini-Fest in January.
Award-Winning LA REINA YOLANDA Comes to United Solo
by Julie Musbach - Oct 8, 2017
The greatest journeys are ones in our own mind. Follow Yolanda, a fierce Puerto Rican woman, from childhood to old age as she confronts multiple obstacles, culminating with Alzheimer's disease. A personal, emotional voyage voiced by the daughter who experienced it. When who we are begins to disappear piece by piece, how do we hold on to what defines us?
by Julie Musbach - Oct 8, 2017
The greatest journeys are ones in our own mind. Follow Yolanda, a fierce Puerto Rican woman, from childhood to old age as she confronts multiple obstacles, culminating with Alzheimer's disease. A personal, emotional voyage voiced by the daughter who experienced it. When who we are begins to disappear piece by piece, how do we hold on to what defines us?
BWW Review: Visiting Jersey with THE TOXIC AVENGER
by Kimberly Moy - Jan 24, 2017
Fridays are normally my bad movie night. I traded bad movie night in for bad musical night. (Not that THE TOXIC AVENGER was executed poorly.) I found it thoroughly enjoyable and well casted. This show doesn't take itself seriously and that made this bad movie into a bad musical totally work. I can see why THE TOXIC AVENGER has a cultish following. The plot plus rock music by Bon Jovi's David Bryan makes for a night of laughs and good music.
by Kimberly Moy - Jan 24, 2017
Fridays are normally my bad movie night. I traded bad movie night in for bad musical night. (Not that THE TOXIC AVENGER was executed poorly.) I found it thoroughly enjoyable and well casted. This show doesn't take itself seriously and that made this bad movie into a bad musical totally work. I can see why THE TOXIC AVENGER has a cultish following. The plot plus rock music by Bon Jovi's David Bryan makes for a night of laughs and good music.
GOAT Producing Central Florida Premiere Of THE TOXIC AVENGER THE MUSICAL
by BWW News Desk - Jan 13, 2017
Orlando Actors Theatre is bringing this hilarious musical comedy to the stage. Come see the Central Florida premiere of The Toxic Avenger, the musical. The show runs January 13,14,15,19, 20, 21 & 22, 2017 at 8pm in the Lowndes Shakespeare Complex in the Mandell Theatre 812 E Rollins St. Orlando, Fl. 32803.
by BWW News Desk - Jan 13, 2017
Orlando Actors Theatre is bringing this hilarious musical comedy to the stage. Come see the Central Florida premiere of The Toxic Avenger, the musical. The show runs January 13,14,15,19, 20, 21 & 22, 2017 at 8pm in the Lowndes Shakespeare Complex in the Mandell Theatre 812 E Rollins St. Orlando, Fl. 32803.
Greater Orlando Actors Theatre Presents JEKYLL & HYDE This Fall
by BWW News Desk - Sep 9, 2016
Greater Orlando Actors Theatre will be reviving their critically acclaimed longest running GOAT show (with an all-new cast) to the CFCArts Theatre stage on September 9, 2016 to run until September 25, 2016 for a total of 10 performances. Performances will take place at Central Christian Church 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd. Orlando, FL 32804.
by BWW News Desk - Sep 9, 2016
Greater Orlando Actors Theatre will be reviving their critically acclaimed longest running GOAT show (with an all-new cast) to the CFCArts Theatre stage on September 9, 2016 to run until September 25, 2016 for a total of 10 performances. Performances will take place at Central Christian Church 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd. Orlando, FL 32804.
Greater Orlando Actors Theatre Presents JEKYLL & HYDE This Fall
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 2, 2016
Greater Orlando Actors Theatre will be reviving their critically acclaimed longest running GOAT show (with an all-new cast) to the CFCArts Theatre stage on September 9, 2016 to run until September 25, 2016 for a total of 10 performances. Performances will take place at Central Christian Church 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd. Orlando, FL 32804.
by A.A. Cristi - Sep 2, 2016
Greater Orlando Actors Theatre will be reviving their critically acclaimed longest running GOAT show (with an all-new cast) to the CFCArts Theatre stage on September 9, 2016 to run until September 25, 2016 for a total of 10 performances. Performances will take place at Central Christian Church 250 SW Ivanhoe Blvd. Orlando, FL 32804.
BWW Review: Remarkable IN THE HEIGHTS is Revelatory, Can't-Miss Theatre
by Matt Tamanini - Jun 11, 2015
'Home' means many different things to many different people. For some, it is the physical structure in which they grew up; for others it is a town, state, or region; for others it is with the people that they care about most. No matter how you define the word, everyone is looking to find, maintain, or return to the 'home' that allows them to feel safe and loved and be the best version of themselves. In one way or another, all of the characters in Lin-Manuel Miranda's bi-lingual, hip-hop infused musical IN THE HEIGHTS, are striving to get 'home.' Set in Miranda's beloved New York City neighborhood of Washington Heights, this cutting-edge show won four Tony Awards in 2008, including Best Musical. Now, the Greater Orlando Actors Theater and Baggy Pants Theater have collaborated on the Central Florida premiere of this deceptively challenging show, running through June 14th at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. While this engaging production never achieves the crispness of the Broadway original, the heart and love that makes IN THE HEIGHTS special is evident from the first note; this passionate ensemble has created a work that should be the example for what Orlando's professional theatres strive to achieve in musical storytelling.
by Matt Tamanini - Jun 11, 2015
'Home' means many different things to many different people. For some, it is the physical structure in which they grew up; for others it is a town, state, or region; for others it is with the people that they care about most. No matter how you define the word, everyone is looking to find, maintain, or return to the 'home' that allows them to feel safe and loved and be the best version of themselves. In one way or another, all of the characters in Lin-Manuel Miranda's bi-lingual, hip-hop infused musical IN THE HEIGHTS, are striving to get 'home.' Set in Miranda's beloved New York City neighborhood of Washington Heights, this cutting-edge show won four Tony Awards in 2008, including Best Musical. Now, the Greater Orlando Actors Theater and Baggy Pants Theater have collaborated on the Central Florida premiere of this deceptively challenging show, running through June 14th at the Orlando Shakespeare Theatre. While this engaging production never achieves the crispness of the Broadway original, the heart and love that makes IN THE HEIGHTS special is evident from the first note; this passionate ensemble has created a work that should be the example for what Orlando's professional theatres strive to achieve in musical storytelling.
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