Katherine "Lashe" Neslund
Actor, burlesque performer, model, producer, geek and benevolent dictator.
MUAH/Photography: Kelly Wiley of Pinup Girl Cosmetics, Costumes by DeeDee Chmielewski
Heads by Shane Morton
Katherine Neslund was born in Knoxville, TN on March 31st. She took ballet classes at the Knoxville School of Ballet Arts and took a summer clown and mime workshop at The Oakridge Playhouse. In 6th grade, she moved to Chattanooga, TN with her father. After discovering a love of performing at a very early age through dance classes, theater classes, school plays, talent shows, etc... it was no surprise that she would audition for the theater program at the Chattanooga High School for Padeia and Performing Arts Pheonix III, which is now the Centre for Creative Arts. Once she arrived and read for her audition it was noted that she had been in the chorus at her middle school and was asked to sing for the musical theater department. Shortly there after she was accepted and began her freshman year as a musical theater major.
During her time at the performing arts high school she was in dance, voice, scene study and other movement classes. With regular productions and touring shows, Katherine was able to spend a great deal of time on stage and develop her craft. Her love of theater also evolved into her helping with the lighting, sound and costuming on many productions for the dance and theater departments. Katherine's ability to sew was noticed by the head of the performing arts department which led to an internship at The Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Association as a dresser and costuming assistant. Around this time she was also becoming a regular at the Chattanooga Little Theater, which is now the Chattanooga Theater Center.
Once a student of the Chattanooga Theater Centre summer camps, Katherine became a regular on their stage as well as a camp counsoler and teacher for their younger actors. She also served as an assistant director and costume assistant on many of their productions for their youth theater series. Moving from the student stage to the adult theater with the production of Romeo and Juliet, Katherine followed her love of the stage while juggling both her school shows and the community theater shows before moving to Atlanta to persue her dream.
Since moving to Atlanta she has been in multiple television shows, movies, theater and stage productions. She was introduced to the glitz and glamour of burlesque by opening for Dita von Teese in 2003 with a local performance art group. After that Katherine was hooked! In 2007 she helped found Syrens of the South Productions. Since it's inception, she has been performing as burlesque star Katherine Lashe, teaching burlesque and producing shows all over the country in addition to her regular film and theater work. Katherine was the 2008 #1 Fan Choice to be picked to compete for Miss Viva Las Vegas 2008, the same year she competed at The Burlesque Hall of Fame. Since then she has competed and been featured in burlesque festivals and shows all over the country. Katherine is currently enjoying an amazing on stage and behind the scenes career for many Atlanta productions.
During her time at the performing arts high school she was in dance, voice, scene study and other movement classes. With regular productions and touring shows, Katherine was able to spend a great deal of time on stage and develop her craft. Her love of theater also evolved into her helping with the lighting, sound and costuming on many productions for the dance and theater departments. Katherine's ability to sew was noticed by the head of the performing arts department which led to an internship at The Chattanooga Symphony and Opera Association as a dresser and costuming assistant. Around this time she was also becoming a regular at the Chattanooga Little Theater, which is now the Chattanooga Theater Center.
Once a student of the Chattanooga Theater Centre summer camps, Katherine became a regular on their stage as well as a camp counsoler and teacher for their younger actors. She also served as an assistant director and costume assistant on many of their productions for their youth theater series. Moving from the student stage to the adult theater with the production of Romeo and Juliet, Katherine followed her love of the stage while juggling both her school shows and the community theater shows before moving to Atlanta to persue her dream.
Since moving to Atlanta she has been in multiple television shows, movies, theater and stage productions. She was introduced to the glitz and glamour of burlesque by opening for Dita von Teese in 2003 with a local performance art group. After that Katherine was hooked! In 2007 she helped found Syrens of the South Productions. Since it's inception, she has been performing as burlesque star Katherine Lashe, teaching burlesque and producing shows all over the country in addition to her regular film and theater work. Katherine was the 2008 #1 Fan Choice to be picked to compete for Miss Viva Las Vegas 2008, the same year she competed at The Burlesque Hall of Fame. Since then she has competed and been featured in burlesque festivals and shows all over the country. Katherine is currently enjoying an amazing on stage and behind the scenes career for many Atlanta productions.
