Esie Mensah
Esie Mensah
Creating art...
differently
to make an impact
to tell stories
to heal
differently to make an impact to tell stories to heal
Director
Choreographer
Spiritual Advisor
Speaker
Dancer
I create art with the intention to bring more healing and empathy into the world, hoping that it will ignite conversations of action and change”
Esie Mensah
AS SEEN ON
An award-winning choreographer & multifaceted artist whose mastery in storytelling is as diverse as her experience
Esie Mensah is an award-winning choreographer, director, dancer, movement director, educator, and TEDx speaker. A member of the Canadian Guild of Stage Directors and Choreographers as well as a two-time Dora nominated artist who has worked with megastars like Rihanna, Drake, Janelle Monae, Nelly Furtado and Arcade Fire to historic brands like Holt Renfrew, Coca-Cola, TIFF, Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto Raptors, and more. Esie uses her voice and art to explore healing through storytelling.
In theater Mensah has worked on Russian Play, Victory, 1837: The Farmers’ Revolt (Shaw Festival), Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom (Soulpepper)… read more ➔
The work and voice of Esie Mensah embodies the critical conversations that speak to our history, present and evolving future”
-Nicole Inica Hamilton, Turnout Radio
Esie Mensah’s Work
Most Recent Works
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ZAYO 2024
Zayo is returning to the stage in April 2024. GRAB YOUR TICKETS
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TREEMONISHA
Scott Joplin’s Treemonisha: A Musical Reimagining
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SERVING ELIZABETH
Written by Marcia Johnson, presented by Theatre Aquarius…
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THE CALL
Commissioned by Canada’s National Ballet, presented at Assemblee…
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(INNER) Beings - Ballet Kelowna
Piece presented at Ballet Kelowna’s Reflections program…
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ESOMAR Congress 2022
Closing Keynote: The Complexities of Shadeism at ESOMAR Congress
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GIANTS OF AFRICA
Toronto Raptors Giants of Africa Halftime Show 2022: Black Stars Collective.. read more ➔
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TOOK ME FROM MY ROOTS
Holts Renfrew partnered with R.I.S.E. for Black History Month…
read more ➔
Original Works
Esie Mensah Creations
Keynote Speaker
Esie's unique keynote will leave audiences with a new perspective on the importance of activism in art.
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This talk is centered around how we can transform the difficult situations in our life to our advantage
Includes:
- Talk + Q&A
- Screen TESSEL (optional)*Please note that the length is determined by both parties.
Please email info@esiemensah.com for a quote. -
Esie speaks about the hardships she experienced and how that inspired her to create her production Shades
Includes:
- Talk + Q&A
- Screen an excerpt from SHADES (optional)*Please note that the length is determined by both parties. Please email info@esiemensah.com for a quote.
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This is where you are able to request a specific topic that you would love Esie’s perspective on.
Topics Esie has spoken on previously (but is not limited to) include Inclusion in the workplace, Inclusion in the Dance industry, Shadeism, Turning Pain into Power, Pivoting your Career, A Career in the arts
*Please note that the length is determined by both parties. Please email info@esiemensah.com for a quote.
WATCH FULL TEDx TALK
Spiritual Hub
Spiritual hub is a space to gain knowledge about resources to inspire people to do their self work.
Episode: Maya Angelou & Dave Chappelle
Podcast: Oprah Winfrey - A Vision for Success
People of the Community: Who impacted me
Interview: Finding Black Joy through Movement
Press Items
In the Media
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CBC INTERVIEW: Tessel brings Black dancers together to explore global discourse on race
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CURRENTLY IN DANCE PODCAST: Hosted by Esie Mensah
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CTV Your Morning: Shadeism in Canada
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Breakfast Televsion: A Space for Black Artists To Tell Their Stories
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Interview on Q with Tom Power: Tessel a Dance Film
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TORONTO STAR INTERVIEW
ON TESSEL -
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CBC Listen: Daybreak South with Chris Walker
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Chatter that Matters: Movement Matters to Esie Mensah
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CAHOOTS Blackstage Pass: Powered by Purpose
