Celeste Lanuza

Performing & Creative Artist – Actress – Singer-Songwriter – Director/Choreographer – Professor

"Celeste Lanuza is extraordinary..."

— broadway world

"The Flamenco/Jazz dance stylization by Lanuza was intelligent in its use of space and light and an excellent addition to the evening’s contribution."

— LA Dance Chronicle

"She has an unusual and remarkable way of connecting to people and ideas through her work in the performing arts.   She is a catalyst."

— Donna Faye Burchfield Director of Dance, University of the Arts

"Her choreography and performance are exceptional, and her work is inspiring, moving, and skillfully crafted."

— Dr. Nancy Lee Ruyter

"I have mentored her creative visions and I speak to the excellence of her work."

— Donald McKayle

"Celeste is truly gifted and is a true renaissance woman."

— J. Bernard Calloway Broadway Star, Original Role of Del Ray in Memphis

"Ms. Lanuza helped me embody confidence, overcome public speaking insecurity, and find ease in presenting my scientific research."

— Dr. Villarreal-Ponce, NYU Plastic Surgery Scientist

"Celeste Lanuza is extraordinary..."

— broadway world

"She has an unusual and remarkable way of connecting to people and ideas through her work in the performing arts.   She is a catalyst."

— Donna Faye Burchfield Director of Dance, University of the Arts

"Her choreography and performance are exceptional, and her work is inspiring, moving, and skillfully crafted."

— Dr. Nancy Lee Ruyter

"I have mentored her creative visions and I speak to the excellence of her work."

— Donald McKayle

"Celeste is truly gifted and is a true renaissance woman."

— J. Bernard Calloway Broadway Star, Original Role of Del Ray in Memphis

"Ms. Lanuza helped me embody confidence, overcome public speaking insecurity, and find ease in presenting my scientific research."

— Dr. Villarreal-Ponce, NYU Plastic Surgery Scientist

Latest News!

Canvas Rebel

Celeste was recently interviewed at Canvas Rebel.

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Rhimes Family Foundation

Celeste dance film is screening at the Shonda Rhimes Performing Arts Center in LA.

'A New Age of Possibilities'

Celeste interviewed by Time Magazine about her work with AI and motion capture.

Dance Camera West

Celeste was selected for the Visibility Grant Program from Dance Camera West nominated by the city of Los Angeles with funding and mentorship for all of 2024 from top internationally acclaimed screendance experts to create a new dance film.

San Diego Latino Film Festival

Celeste curated a new Dance on Film event as a part of the San Diego Latino Film Festival which will be a continual addition to this annual festival beginning March of 2024.

Eco-Jewish Play Fest

Celeste will be acting in one of Oliver Mayer's new plays this Summer.

Guest Lecturer

Celeste was invited to be Guest Lecturer of Movement for UPenn's Theater production of Bernarda Alba by Garcia Lorca.

Carnival in Hollywood

Celeste was invited to present her work at Carnival in Hollywood at the Vermont Hollywood for the Choreographers Ball! She will be featuring 'her' ensemble of dancers and singing 'her' original music.

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USCD Theater and Dance

Celeste will be a new Lecturer at UCSD Theater and Dance Dept and Cal Poly Pomona Theatre and New Dance Dept

LA Dance Festival

Celeste was invited to perform original music and choreography at Cal State LA TV, Film, and Media Dept. event, as a principal dancer at LA Live in downtown LA, a choreographer and dance film director for LA Dance Festival, and had her dance film in the Southgate Museum exhibit called 'Flores Para Ti' which was accompanied by original music.

Revolución Latina

Celeste recently was given an Honorary Award by Broadways Luis Salgado with his Revolucion Latina organization as a stand out Latina performance artist for the Doreen Montalvo 'Do it Anyway' Fellowship

VooyageLA

Celeste was featured in the Voyage LA Cover story.

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San Diego Latino Film Festival

Celeste has been invited to perform with her band for the San Diego Latino Film Festival Sunday March 12th at 4pm outdoors for a free concert! ¡Celeste Lanuza & SiVa!

Upcoming Performances

Bread and Salt experimental center for the arts October 1st Saturday 2:30pm
‍
Chicano Park Saturday October 8th 2:30pm for the grand opening of the Chicano Park Museum

Shonda Rhimes Performing Arts Center/Debbie Allen Dance Academy

Celeste will be choreographing and guest teaching as a master instructor for the new Shonda Rhimes Performing Arts Center/Debbie Allen Dance Academy in Los Angeles this summer for their intensive.

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Huella

A short film Celeste choreographed called Huella is an official selection for the Sundance Film Festival 2022!

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The Desert Rose

December 19th 7pm San Diego Repertory Theater Private Showing
(contact for RSVP)
‍
As Co-writer, Co-composer, Co-lyricist and lead actress of the new original musical entitled, The Desert Rose was selected to join the NYC Fringe to premiere at the Kraine Theater in NoHo Manhattan. On Sunday October 27th, The Desert Rose performed to a sold out 99 seat theater receiving positive response and a night to remember with upcoming engagements to follow!
‍
Featuring a full cast of dynamic Mexican-American actors, The Desert Rose musical developmental world premiere, reveals the dangerous journey when assimilation compromises one’s identity. Challenging realities of multi-dimensional Latinx culture, are overcome through rediscovery of family, love and heritage. Featuring original live music, dynamic choreography and an English-Spanish narrative.
‍

Broadway WorldSan Diego Tribune

Kusi News

In this edition of World of Wonder, KUSI’s very own Dave Scott introduces performing and creative artist, actress, singer-songwriter, director and choreographer, and professor, Celeste Lanuza, to center stage.

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Root & Stem

Celeste was featured in an article about her work in Motion Capture as a choreographer. Ream more at the link!

More Info

Huella

Ms. Lanuza choreographic work is being featured in the film 'Huella', currently streaming on Amazon Prime!

Learn More

CD's Available

EP & Full Length Album of original music written by father daughter duo Celeste Lanuza and Federico Lanuza in the style of Latin Pop are available! Filled with upbeat, uplifting, and dance heavy songs, unforgettable melodies, and Spanish/English boleros.  
$10-$25 USD

50% goes to the organization Baja Ed, that funds education in Ensenada, Mexico to children from Kindergarten through Higher Education.

Contact Celeste

PhD Studies

Celeste Lanuza is currently attaining her PhD studies in Performance Studies from Texas Woman's University in their Low Residency Program under a Graduate Scholarship!

Read Celeste's MFA Thesis

Bio

Celeste Lanuza is a multi-faceted quadruple threat performing artist, that is recognized for her captivating presence on stage and her thought provoking eclectic creative work. She has made her mark as an actress, singer-songwriter, dancer and choreographer. Her artistry has been a passport to her performing internationally throughout Asia, South and North America in renowned theatres.

Award winning actress Ms. Lanuza is a proud member of performer unions; SAG-AFTRA, Actors Equity and AGMA. Celeste has held positions from lead actress, Assistant Director/Choreographer to featured dancer, and even professor.

As a visionary, Celeste is passionately committed to developing collaborative new works that integrate her writing, original live music and dance theatre featuring the beauty of Latin culture. She bridges the gap between concert, theater and commercial music and dance in her diverse approaches to re-identify perspectives of Latinx culture and Politics of Representation.

From the age of three, she trained and performed classical piano and dance which continues to elevate her career as a performer and creative. Originally from San Diego, California, Celeste Lanuza was raised in a Spanish-English bilingual household where the arts and education held equal importance.

Actress

  • Currently playing the lead role Rosalinda in the new musical The Desert Rose, also as co-writer/director.

  • She has played principal roles in musicals at professional union ran regional theaters such as Anita in West Side Story, Tiger Lily in Peter Pan, Amelia in Mother Road, and Duende in the opera Maria de Buenos Aires. Ms. Lanuza has obtained acclaimed Broadway World reviews among others.

  • Featured in productions at The Guthrie Theater, The Old Globe Theater, La Jolla Playhouse, San Diego Opera, Arizona Opera, San Diego Repertory Theater among others and on TV with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and the PBS Film Fuego.

download resume

Singer-Songwriter

— LA Music Award Nominee —
— NPR Tiny Desk Latinx Favorite —

Celeste has been an NPR Tiny Desk Latinx favorite Singer-Songwriter and released her single, “Shout Out Loud” as an anthem proclaiming the power everyone has to move any mountain towards overcoming all barriers. Her compositions are on all music platforms. Lanuza has had professional music videos produced for her in New York City. Having performed at Melrose Ballroom and Brooklyn Bazaar several times, she is continually projecting how proud she is to be a Mexican-American musician and LA Music Award Nominee.

Director/Choreographer

Celeste Lanuza is the choreographer for the film 'Huella' premiering at the Tribeca Film Festival in NYC 2021, has choreographed for the Guthrie Theater, Lula Washington Dance Theater, has worked collaboratively to produce choreography for the Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and premiered work for the Laguna Dance Festival. Ms. Lanuza has also produced a concept dance film with the Chicano Park Museum, premiered directorial and choreographic work at the NY and San Diego Fringe Festivals, as well as directed for the Fort Worth Opera. Highlights producing work in higher education include Washington & Lee University and the University of California Irvine. Her work has also been noted in the Dance Teacher Magazine where she restaged Donald McKayle's solo Angelitos Negros and additional choreography can also be seen on the Spanish TV show Tengo Talento Mucho Talento.

Writer/Professor

  • Celeste Lanuza holds a Master of Fine Arts in Choreography and Latino Studies from The University of California Irvine and a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theater and Dance Performance from The University of the Arts. Ms. Lanuza has also continued her Ph.D. studies completing one year in Dance Theory, with a focus on Representation of Latinas in the Performing Arts. Celeste's MFA written thesis can be found published online on ProQuest at that I have co written the book of the musical The Desert Rose as well as Co Lyricist.

    Celeste is a dedicated 'researcher' who applies her evolving discoveries to her creative work. She shares her insight and has taught at AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts as full time faculty for an academic year, Washington and Lee University as Visiting Assistant Professor, the University of California, Irvine as Guest Lecturer and Graduate Faculty for two years. She has guest lectured for single classes at Fullerton College, Grossmont College, Cal State University San Marcos, The University of the Arts, and Inter-American College. Conservatory and performing arts High School teaching include: Orange County High School for the Arts and Maple Conservatory of Dance. Guest artist credits include Los Angeles County High School for the Arts, Long Island High School of the Performing Arts, San Diego School of the Creative and Performing Arts, and Gibney Dance.

teaching philosophyteaching cv

Press

"Duende is a charismatic and protean actor. Celeste Lanuza shifted shapes, playing a range of characters, from a clown to tispsy prelate. Her El Duende was both comical and demonic."

— opera west

"Lanuza suffused several solo scenes with electric expectation, ample wit, and a deft touch with physical comedy. Celeste Lanuza’s vibrantly hued chasuble was riveting."

— San Diego Story

"Celeste Lanuza as El Duende was absolutely amazing."

— tggeeks

"The charismatic Celeste Lanuza is extraordinary as El Duende."

— bww

"Actress Celeste Lanuza gives quite a tour de force traversal of the role, morphing easily from one mischievous, meddling, scolding personage to another."

— opera today

"Anita is the spitfirerrific Celeste Lanuza, who brings the house down with her “A Boy Like That” then digs deep into her dramatic reservoir for “the scene at Doc’s."

— stage scene la

"Actress Celeste Lanuza is a charismatic and versatile trickster as El Duende."

— San Diego Union Tribune

"Lanuza compelled attention each time she reappeared."

— bww

"Some of the strongest movement is given to the Indian princess Tiger Lily, played by Celeste Lanuza. She is particularly graceful in a wordless sequence with other tribe members."

— talkin' broadway

"Celeste Lanuza’s Anita carries herself with an air of very feminine command, dances with expertise, and makes “America” the highlight it can be."

— STAGE STRUCK REVIEW

"Celeste Lanuza makes Anita earthy, feisty, and humane."

— bww

"Celeste Lanuza and Waldemar Q. Villanueva brought the yellow brick house down."

— bww

"Celeste Lanuza has energy and grace as Pan’s Indian friend Tiger Lily."

— chicago Tribune

"Celeste Lanuza’s choreography captivated audiences with a unique work of poetic expression of life in LA, and in the early 1900s of the process of overcoming discrimination as a Mexican-American."

— yonhap News

"The power of our song [Shout Out Loud!] is tremendous but her stage power is unmatched!!!"

— Latin Billboard's Toby Sandoval

"A perfectly marvelous Duende..."

— arizona opera

"Celeste Lanuza makes Anita earthy, feisty, and humane."

— broadway world

"Celeste Lanuza is extraordinary..."

— broadway world

"Celeste Lanuza Dance Company's passionate tribute to dance legend Jose Limon, and it's got everything–dance, a live band … Lanuza thinks. “Solo y Juntos” is a deeply researched piece that celebrates the brilliant modern dance pioneer Jose Limon (1908-1972). The half-hour dance theater piece features breathtaking, complex choreography performed by a strong eight-dancer ensemble, live original music by a five-piece band (with rocking violin from David Morales-Boroff), and spoken word from Limon’s unpublished memoir."

— sd story

"Celeste Lanuza makes Anita earthy, feisty, and humane."

— broadway world

"The power of our song [Shout Out Loud!] is tremendous but her stage power is unmatched!!!"

— Latin Billboard's Toby Sandoval

"Celeste Lanuza’s choreography captivated audiences with a unique work of poetic expression of life in LA, and in the early 1900s of the process of overcoming discrimination as a Mexican-American."

— yonhap News

"A perfectly marvelous Duende..."

— arizona opera

Celeste has worked alongside the following companies

Media

— singer-songwriter —
— Dance  —
— Theatre  —
— Director/choreographer  —
— Portfolio  —
— professor  —

Contact

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Representation:

Theatrical:
Go 2 Talent Agency
Management: Trinity Artists International Management Company
New York Live Arts Fiscal Sponsor
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Listen to
my new single
"Shout Out Loud!"