KANOA SIMS
wings unfurling boulders on my back fall to the floor I breathe expand
about me.
I don't see the world, I feel it. My art reflects my neurodivergence. I am now leaning in.
I believe the macro reflects the micro, so I zoom in to zoom out. Perception is reality. Awareness a reflection. The "yes and" is my friend, and I use it often.
INFJ. Aquarius moon and rising. Leo sun. I read the Enneagram book, but still don't know which one I am. Maybe someone will tell me one day.
I enjoy exploring shades of meaning and uncovering the whys. I love to laugh and laugh at myself often : "chronicles of a ridiculous human".
Welcome. I'm glad you're here.
updates in progress. thank you for your patience.
about my work.
Formerly known as Alexis Sims, Kanoa (she/they) is a multi-hyphenate, Black creative storyteller from Birmingham, Alabama. She began performing at age 4, and has continued creating in various capacities ever since.
After high school, Kanoa completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Michigan’s prestigious musical theatre program. In 2014, she continued her acting training at the Matthew Corozine Studios in New York City and has been seen on national and international stages and screens.
Kanoa began expanding her artistic expression in Fall 2023 through writing and then visual art in Fall 2024. This expansion and self-inquiry ultimately led to her chosen name - Kanoa, "the freed one".
Weaving vocal and acting technique, visual art, imagery, poetry and music, Kanoa's work encourages movement from the mind to heart-led spaces of connection. She describes her works simply as collage; and, is particularly interested in how the micro of personal healing leads to the transformative healing of the collective.
Broadway: for colored girls who have considered suicide/ when the rainbow is enuf. Regional (select credits): Hamlet (Gertrude) and the world premiere of Kudzu Calling (Wanderer) at the Alabama Shakespeare Festival , Cinderella (Ella) at Geva Theatre Center, Sugar in our Wounds (Mattie) at
Penumbra Theatre Company, Constellations (Marianne) at Forestburgh Playhouse, Dreamgirls (Deena) at Dallas Theatre Center, The Prince of Egypt (Tzipporah) at Tuacahn Amphitheatre. International: Cirque du Soleil’s Banana Shpeel (Vocalist). TV: Blue Bloods (CBS), Law and Order, SVU (NBC), Love Life (HBO). Kanoa is the founding Associate Artistic Director for the Obsidian Theatre Festival (OTF) in Detroit, Michigan.