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Bio
Kiyano La'Vin hasn't always expressed his strength and faith in God. In fact, it wasn't until he received a 3.80 bullet to the back of the head, during a drug deal gone bad, talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time, that he re-evaluated his life. He realized that he had been spiritually guided towards acting since the age of 12, or maybe even five, where his first exposure to acting occurred.
As a kid growing up in the tough streets of South Philadelphia back in the 70s, or, as anyone from there would say, "Philly", Kiyano got into an indescribable amount of trouble. Mischievous energy as a youth could, if not curbed, most certainly turn into criminal behavior. Raised by his mother, grandparents, aunts, uncles and older siblings (it takes a village was the mindset back then) he would eventually elevate above the shootings, drugs, and other unnatural ways of life to a better place - a place he is now. But, it would be decades before said changes would take place.
In those early formative years, Kiyano was sent down south with family or to a summer camp, all in an attempt to mitigate the potential of what would eventually befall him. It was during those long-ago years in a Christian summer camp, 'Camp Nazarene', that his behavior would experience a whole new level of discipline. But, even in camp the temptation for conflict followed him. Upon hitting another kid in the head with a rock that was large enough to have hospitalized the child, he tried running away from camp - which is exactly when the first change began.
Kiyano's discipline came in three parts: 1) his mother whooped his ass in front of the entire camp for assaulting the other child, and trying to runaway 2) she made him stay in camp for the rest of that summer, and 3) it was a Christian camp, and they put on plays every night that were taken from bible scripture. So, Kiyano was not only made to memorize scripture, but was made lead in every play when the camp supervisors recognized his gift of memorization. Which, in turn, kept him busy and out of trouble.
As Kiyano grew older he avoided acting as he associated acting on stage with punishment, and not as a calling. So, Kiyano set out on many different paths, even becoming a locally accomplished model. Yet, he was unable to settle on any of these interests, as everything brought him right back to the thing he was trying to avoid - acting. Kiyano temporarily made peace with this inner-conflict, and decided he would start taking acting a bit more seriously. He eventually went on to study and train at the famed Freedom Theatre in Philadelphia, and other drama schools, where he would go on to
appear in numerous Theatre projects; Romeo & Juliet, Sure Thing, Colored Museum, In The Garden, Love, Drugs, & War, Six Degrees Of Separation, Othello and so many more.
But, even after years of Theatre mixed with a moderate successful modeling career, the allure of the hustle and Philly street-money eventually won him over - which damn-near claimed another youth with potential. For the second and final time, Kiyano turned his back on his passion, and took to that dark and dangerous path of street hustling again, which, as earlier stated, proved to be a damn-near fatal decision.
After lying in a hospital bed in Trauma for four days, he had a true coming-to-God moment when the doctors informed him that if the bullet had been off-center of impact just millimeters, it would not have deflected off his thick and stubborn skull - it would have killed him. It was then and there that the calling set in, and Kiyano made a promise to himself and God that his days on the streets were over, and if God would give him just one more chance, he promised to steer the course and pursue acting.
Later on, and along side his best friend, Kiyano kept his word and moved to Los Angeles to pursue said dream. But, sometimes old habits die hard. In a police stop, Kiyano was found in possession of a loaded gun, which, in LA County, per bullet, could have found himself with accumulated years in state prison. Once again, and by the grace of God, Kiyano found himself escaping a most certain "artistic- death" jail sentence. He instead found himself on probation - which was still no easy task.
His struggles, which were compounded by lack of culpability, eventually led him to two bouts of homelessness. The first was eight months in which he slept in the only possession he had - the car he came to LA with - and where he was forced to wash up in gas station bathrooms. He kept all of this from his family for nearly a year because he refused to go back to Philly a failure. But, through blood, sweat many tears, and continued coming-to-God moments, he steered the course, dug his way out of living out of his car, and slowly found his way not only back on his feet, but back on stage.
His presence has been felt in some of the most prominent theaters in Los Angeles: the Century City Playhouse, The Hollywood Palladium, The Tamarind Theatre, Stage 52, The Wilshire E-bell, The Cast Theatre and The Los Angeles Theater Center. Too, the NAACP recognized his abilities while in a ensemble cast, being jointly nominated as best ensemble for his portrayal in the critically acclaimed play The Bachelorette Party, directed by the incomparable Donald B. Welch, which starred Grammy award-winning Ginuwine.
Being equally gifted as a film and television actor, his body of work has been shown at the AFI Film Festival, Toronto Film Festival, and Hollywood Black Film Festival, along with being seen on some of the most popular TV shows. Kiyano has shared screen time with the likes of Cliff Curtis, Samuel L. Jackson, Emilio Rivera, Will Smith, Jim Pickens, Damon Wayans, Cleo King, John Wesley, Sarah Silverman, Hill Harper, Forest Whitaker, Michael Douglas, John Corbett, Bernie Mac, Jamie Foxx, Michael Beach, Rob Lowe, Christian Slater, Michael Madsen, Ron Perlman, Malcolm McDowell, and many more. While giving a riveting guest starring performance in the highly rated television show, CSI-NY he was personally acknowledged by the executive producers via a certified letter, and also received an email from the director thanking him for his stellar performance and overall professionalism.
Whether on set or on stage, Kiyano's dynamic presence and knowledge of the craft, along with his story of personal struggles, have been a source of inspiration for many of his industry peers. Because of this trait, many have continuously sought him out not only as talent, but also as a coach, and to share his insights into the business and art of acting. Throughout his journey, Kiyano has grown to a place were he's living the dream God intended all along, and he would like to welcome you into this enlightening journey, to his world of Swagger Movement Productions, and to his first-time producing, and co-creation of the series, and short film Under The Radar (UTR), which has garnered five awards including a platinum Remy award from Houston Working Fest and a award of merit for best leading actor, to add to other awards and nominations.
Lastly, Kiyano would like to say it is a blessing for him to be able to, not only sow his artistic seed, but also sow an unparalleled understanding of struggle into any project. He expresses gratitude to everyone involved in his life for believing in him, and to those who endowed him with opportunity. Kiyano gives thanks and all praises to God for the Gift: a gift of life, multiple second-chances, his acting talent, and everything else He has breathed life into.
