Charissa Kroeger '15

Charissa Kroeger’s chameleon-like versatility shines through in her performances and creations. A So-Cal native, Charissa has made her imprint on the Los Angeles landscape and beyond ——creating movement for Lancome, Coach, Miley Cyrus, Lorde, Zendaya, Valentino, Chanel and Skims. She has crafted cinematic magic as both performing artist and creative for Emmy, Oscar, and Grammy nominated productions led by luminaries such as Paul Thomas Anderson, Nicole Kidman, Francis Ford Coppola, Harmony Korine and Olivia Wilde. Charissa is the 2024 recipient of the Cannes Lion Young Director Award in “Video Art” for her film SPAGHETTI which she Directed, Choreographed, and Produced.

What creative projects are you currently involved in? 

Many beautiful things are cooking! Currently I’m in talks with the city of Los Angeles to develop a public art installation of my film, SPAGHETTI —- and just wrapped up Creative Movement Directing a campaign for Selena Gomez’s Rare Beauty line. 

What is something you gained from the LMU Dance Program that is still with you today?

LMU is where I fell in love with dance, and I carry my university education with me every day. I often return to LMU’s motto, “education of the whole person,” as a reminder to seek balance in my work. I can still hear former Dance Department Chair Judy Scalin’s words—“mind, body, spirit”—resounding beautifully in my ears.

At LMU I was exposed to, and thoroughly educated in, a wide range of dance vernacular. Versatility has remained an asset throughout my career as a Performance Artist, Creative Movement Director, Choreographer, and Filmmaker.  

The network I built at LMU connected me to the Los Angeles dance community and helped launch my professional career. The LMU studios hosted a myriad of Contemporary Dance companies, allowing me to build connections with both established companies and art makers in the experimental scene. Meeting Choreographers through the weekend jazz intensives was invaluable and ultimately led to signing with my first commercial agent.

Just as importantly, LMU taught me to value each person and the individual path they are on. In a Liberal Arts setting, there is no single, “cookie-cutter” road to a dance career. We can find fulfillment and success as Performers, Choreographers, Directors, Educators, Physical Therapists —- even if someone steps away from dance professionally, the dancer card is forever in their back pocket!

Whatever our path, we remain champions of the art of movement—educated in its history, diversity, and power to transform, heal, and connect.