Kisha Tikina Burgos

Born in Barranquitas, Puerto Rico. Her educational background includes: MFA in Dramatic Writing with concentration in Screenwriting from TISCH School of the Arts in NYU, a BFA in Theater from The University of Puerto Rico, Graduate Studies in the Acting Department of Mason Gross School of the Arts in Rutgers University, New Jersey (Sanford Meisner Technique) and Screenwriting Workshop in the International School of Film and TV in San Antonio de los Baños, Cuba, among others. Kisha is the screenwriter, producer, and actress of the independent feature film Under My Nails (2012) winner of Best Feature award at the HBO New York International Latino Film Festival and screened on HBO & HBO Latino in 2013 and 2014. This 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". The film also had great success at the Havana Film Festival winning a Special Award given by the Festival President. "Under My Nails" went on a Film Festival Tour that included 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. The film won a Special Jury Mention at The Santo Domingo International Film Festival-Dominican Republic and Kisha won the Best Individual Peformance at Cine Las Americas International Film Festival-Austin, TX. "Under My Nails" was also screened in the commercial cinemas all around the island of Puerto Rico. Kisha is also 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). Currently she is part of The University of Puerto Rico faculty where she teaches Acting and Film. She was also part of CUNY Faculty in The Visual and Performing Arts Department at Hostos Community College, Bronx, NY (2010-2012). In the year 2000 Kisha founded in Puerto Rico The Theater Company Baobabs, Inc. with which she successfully produced her plays, "Anoche soñé que me comías" (2001), "De mala muerte" (2003) and "Nívea del Encanto" (2005). With close to twenty years of experience in the professional theater she has represented Puerto Rico in renowned Theater Festivals around the world: FILO, Londrina, Brazil, FIT, Cádiz, Spain and Santo Domingo International Theater Festival in Dominican Republic among others. Her most recent plays are: "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. 7 Days, 7 Plays staged by Boundless Theater Company at Teatro Círculo, NYC. Her acting performances in New York include: "Más que un foreclosure" (PAM) IATI Theater, NYC and "Chain Reaction" at the Hostos Cummunity College in NYC. LLC. "Chain Reaction" she portrayed the community leader and the first Latino recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom, Antonia Pantoja. In the past year, Kisha worked as the artistic director of LA BECKETT Café Teatro y Cine an independent and experimental Cultural Project dedicated to develop the contemporary arts. Kisha Tikina is a Founding Member & Artistic Director of La Teta Productions and Currently her film Antes que cante el gallo (2016) has won the Yellow Robin Award, is official selection of various film festivals including Rotterdam International Film Festival and recently premiered in commercial theaters.