Get to know Leslie Hankins ahead of The Creative Ball
Imagine this: You are center stage in front of 25,000 people. Your arms are outstretched, your back is arched, and music is playing. 8 counts are repeating in your head as you move to the beat of the rhythm, and all eyes are on you.
Is your adrenaline pumping yet? For me, this is a “palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy” kind of moment... *cue the Eminem track*
However, for Leslie Hankins, this is where she finds her happy place. “It’s the best feeling in the world—being on stage. There is absolutely nothing like it.”
From Louisville, Kentucky, Leslie paved the way to her dreams with thanks being given to her mom. “I was 11 years old when my mom got a flyer at a small-town fair that was advertising a dance class. She suggested I try it out, and the rest is history.”
However, despite her true passion being dance, she went on to attend Western Kentucky University with the intention of becoming an architectural engineer... Until the opportunity of a lifetime came knocking on the door to her dreams: a cattle call for a gig with Paramount Studios.
So, off she trekked to Cincinnati where she landed the role and never looked back. Leslie said sayonara to the so-called ‘stability’ of pursuing a ‘normal’ job and hello to the passion of pursuing her dreams, and THAT is what catapulted her professional career.
“It’s about Risk vs. Reward. Is the payoff worth it to you or not? That’s what it boils down to.” From then on, her life became a revolving door of professional performances. Leslie isa true ‘Jackie of all trades’ with a colorful career history.
Her list of accomplishments includes performing on different cruise lines, being a magician’s assistant, being a showgirl, performing in musicals and choruses off-Broadway, backup dancing, and many more feature performances.
Through her experience, Leslie was even able to become a part of the Actors’ Equity Association (AEA) and The Screen Actors Guild–American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG–AFTRA)—this greatly increased her credibility and benefits as a performer.
This lifestyle has also given Leslie the opportunity to travel and reside in places all over the world. She has done mainstay shows in Atlantic City, Las Vegas, New York City, Los Angeles, Miami, and Shreveport, to name a few, and she has gone on tour around the US, Central America and China.
Today, you can find Leslie teaching dance for fun—lookout for the “Red in Motion” class coming soon—and doing odd jobs in the entertainment industry from time to time; however, her path has led her to new and different avenues of success.
“My heart will always be for performing, but I have always been open to new experiences and willing to push myself in a different direction when necessary.”
For the past 14 years, Leslie has been successfully selling real estate in the Shreveport/Bossier area, but with 20 years of event and entertainment experience under her belt, she was able to spot a need in this region for a service that she could provide: planning and promoting events.
Thus, La Rousse Events was born! With La Rousse, Leslie is able to combine her passions of planning and performing into a beautiful system that benefits this area greatly. And after partnering with Hemingway West, La Rousse is now, essentially, a ‘one-stop shop’ for all events, promotions, marketing, productions, etc.
As a certified member of the City of Shreveport Fair Share Program, La Rousse is able to comply with Shreveport’s policies while also enhancing economic development in this area.
“I truly love the SBC! There is so much to offer here, and there are so many opportunities for industries to grow. I believe that one day it will all come together, and I just want to do my part to make this city all it can be!”
Upon meeting Leslie, I truly was blown away. To see such an independent and strong woman who has accomplished all her goals and remain as humble as she is, it makes one wonder—how does she do it?
I asked her what her mantra has been that has kept her going, and this is what she said: “My parents have been such a rock for me, and something they have always said has stuck with me through the years: ‘use wisdom.’ It sounds really simple, but it is very profound. I feel that any struggle in life can be solved by using wisdom. I have trusted God above all else to get me where I need to be. He has brought me here, and I know that everything happens for a reason. I am beyond thankful for all the opportunities I have had in my life, and I know that life is short, so we need to LIVE IT. At 42 years old, embracing all that life has to offer has become the centerfold of my success. Also, having Sarah Lemoine Grantham as my hair dresser and therapist doesn’t hurt...”
Stay tuned for more from Leslie—I have a feeling this fiery, red-head is nowhere near done making strides towards even more greatness.
For more information on La Rousse, please visit her website www.LaRousseEvents.com
You can also follow following platforms: Facebook: La Rousse Instagram: @LaRousseEvents
Know before you go
The Creative Ball 2024 will be May 18 at Horseshoe Casino and Hotel.
Tickets are on sale for $75 and are available at www.eventbrite.com.
To learn more about The Creative and The Creative Ball visit www.thecreativemag.net.
This article is republished through an agreement with The Creative Magazine.
The Times is a sponsor of The Creative Ball.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Learn about Leslie Hankins ahead of The Creative Ball in Shreveport
