Kisha Tikina is a multifaceted artist born in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico, with a rich educational background that includes an MFA in Dramatic Writing with a concentration in Screenwriting from TISCH School of the Arts in NYU, a BFA in Theater from The University of Puerto Rico, and Graduate Studies in the Acting Department of Mason Gross School of the Arts in Rutgers University, New Jersey, as well as Screenwriting Workshop in the International School of Film and TV in San Antonio de los Baños, Cuba, among others.
As a screenwriter, producer, and actress, Kisha has made a name for herself in the independent film industry. Her feature film, Under My Nails, won the Best Feature award at the HBO New York International Latino Film Festival and was screened on HBO & HBO Latino in 2013 and 2014. The film premiered at The San Juan International Film Festival, winning the Grand Jury Award and the Best Actress Award for Kisha's performance in the leading role, "Solimar". Under My Nails also had great success at the Havana Film Festival, winning a Special Award given by the Festival President.
The film went on to screen at numerous film festivals, including San Diego, Dominican Republic, Toulouse and Marseille in France, Chicago, Austin, TX, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Guatemala, Brussels, Geneva, and The Cleveland International Film Festival. Under My Nails won a Special Jury Mention at The Santo Domingo International Film Festival-Dominican Republic and Kisha won the Best Individual Performance at Cine Las Americas International Film Festival-Austin, TX.
Kisha's work has also been recognized on the stage. She is the author of the play Elephant's Memory (La memoria de los elefantes),published by "Editorial Educación Emergente" and staged in Puerto Rico (2012-2013). She has also taught Acting and Film at The University of Puerto Rico and was part of CUNY Faculty in The Visual and Performing Arts Department at Hostos Community College, Bronx, NY (2010-2012).
In addition to her work in film and theater, Kisha is the founder of The Theater Company Baobabs, Inc. in Puerto Rico, with which she produced several plays, including "Anoche soñé que me comías" (2001),"De mala muerte" (2003),and "Nívea del Encanto" (2005). With nearly twenty years of experience in the professional theater, Kisha has represented Puerto Rico in renowned Theater Festivals around the world, including FILO, Londrina, Brazil, FIT, Cádiz, Spain, and Santo Domingo International Theater Festival in Dominican Republic, among others.
Her most recent plays include "Oh De Sea" produced by The Internationalists Company for the Theater Festival: Which Direction Home with venue at La Guardia Performing Arts Center in NY, and 7 Days, 7 Plays staged by Boundless Theater Company at Teatro Círculo, NYC.
As an actress, Kisha has performed in several productions, including "Más que un foreclosure" (PAM) IATI Theater, NYC, and "Chain Reaction" at the Hostos Community College in NYC. In "Chain Reaction", she portrayed the community leader and the first Latino recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Antonia Pantoja.
Kisha is also the artistic director of LA BECKETT Café Teatro y Cine, an independent and experimental Cultural Project dedicated to developing the contemporary arts. She is a Founding Member & Artistic Director of La Teta Productions and has recently worked on her film Antes que cante el gallo (2016),which has won the Yellow Robin Award and is an official selection of various film festivals, including Rotterdam International Film Festival. The film premiered in commercial theaters.
