Artist. Attorney. Advocate.
As a civil rights lawyer and a lifelong thespian, I have learned from and worked in the unique space between these seemingly distinct worlds. By analyzing theatre from a legal perspective, I aim to highlight the ways in which both the arts and the law reflect – and can ultimately shape – our society.
I am passionate about using my legal expertise to empower theatre community members to stand up for their rights and create truly safe and equitable spaces, while bringing attention to artistic narratives that can open minds, change perspectives, and bring human faces to complex legal or political challenges.
Through my social media outlets, such as my rising TikTok (@kaiyalyonsesq), I have created a warm and welcoming space for theatre artists to learn about their rights as employees and creators, receive breaking theatre news alerts from a legal perspective, and understand the importance of comprehensive complaint resolution procedures in all levels of theatre.
Kaiya Lyons currently serves as Vice Chairperson of the Board of Directors of Monumental Theatre Company and on the Board of the American Constitution Society D.C. Lawyer Chapter. She has been a staff attorney at the American Association for Justice since the fall of 2019. She received her Juris Doctor from the University of Minnesota Law School in 2016 and her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the George Washington University in 2013.