Awash

Awash was the first commission for FLTPK, an crowdfunded experiment in digital dance presentation that I started during the early days of the Covid pandemic. This film is a collaboration between L.A. based choreographer Mike Tyus, director Joy Isabella Brown, and dancer Nick Lanzisera. It was so exciting that Mike, a stranger to me at the time, made something so thoughtful and moving as a first venture.

Mike Tyus is a dancer, choreographer, and creative director from Los Angeles California. He has been performing and creating dance for the stage, print, and screen for over 15 years. Tyus has worked with Cirque Du Soleil, Pilobolus Dance Theater, Danny Elfman, Sidi Larbi Cherkoui, W Magazine, The Broad Museum, and Jacob Jonas The Company. Community and Creation are at the core of Tyus’ mission and continue to drive his efforts in crafting work that feeds the human spirit and reflects the times in which we live.

Joy Isabella Brown is a movement artist and filmmaker based out of Los Angeles. Joy’s background as a dancer, acrobat, and content creator with Jacob Jonas the Company has given her a unique perspective on how to capture dance on film. Her work has been featured on Nowness, Stance Elements, Somewhere Magazine, and Visual Atelier. She recently co-directed a film for The Broad Museum and works in partnership with Mike Tyus in the creation of dance performances and dance films throughout the year.

Originally from Colorado Springs, CO, Nick Lanzisera moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in dance. With a strong background in ballet, jazz, hip-hop and contemporary, Nick quickly found himself a niche within the competitive industry. He has appeared in a number of films including High School Musical 2 & 3, Fame, Footloose, and No Strings Attached. He has also worked on numerous music videos, national commercials, television series, and awards shows including the Oscars, VH1’s Divas Live, The Grammys, and the MTV Video Music Awards. Some of Nick’s favorite credits include dancing for Britney Spears on her Femme Fatale Promo Tour, Jennifer Lopez at the American Music Awards, and HBO’s television series True Blood. Most recently Nick has been dancing along side one of his favorite artists Sia for her world tour.

In addition to being a working dancer, Nick enjoys teaching his unique approach to movement. He has been on staff for 8 years as a resident instructor at two of the most prominent dance studios in Los Angeles: Edge Performing Arts Center and Millennium Dance Complex. He has also had the opportunity to travel around the globe, teaching at conventions and studios across the U.S. and internationally. As a choreographer, Nick has been exploring his creative voice on projects including the ABC Family series Baby Daddy, Guys With Kids on CBS, and feature films Love True and The Light Beneath Their Feet.