Kahlil Ashanti began his career as a teenager performing in community theater and open mic nights at comedy clubs throughout the midwestern United States. He then enlisted in the United States Air Force, winning the 1993 Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest which earned him the opportunity to tour with the elite Air Force Entertainment troupe Tops In Blue in 1994 and 1995 as a comedian/dancer/actor. This provided him the unique opportunity to perform for over 700,000 people in nearly 27 countries. After being honorably discharged in 1996 Kahlil performed his own magic/comedy dinner theater show at Caesar's Magical Empire, Caesar's Palace Las Vegas from 1997-2000 in Japanese as well as English. Upon his arrival in Los Angeles in 2001 he began writing his critically acclaimed one man show, 'Basic Training' which premiered Off Broadway on October 13, 2008. In addition to several rave reviews Basic Training recently became a NY Times Critics Choice and is in development as a book and television series as well as a feature film being shepherded by Kahlil Ashanti and produced by Barry Josephson .
Is of West African and Cherokee descent.
Discovered by Writer/Director Doug Atchison and Producer Barry Josephson during workshop performances of his one man show Basic Training in Los Angeles.
Named after famed poet and author Kahlil Gibran.
Lost every talent show he entered until he was almost 19. He finally won first place in the 1993 Air Force Worldwide Talent Contest and was awarded the Roger Award, the military equivalent to the Oscar.
Attended grades 1-4 in Sagamihara, Japan and learned Japanese. Kahlil later used this to his advantage by translating the Caesars Magical Empire show at Caesars Palace into Japanese and performing it nightly in both English and Japanese.
Well known in the Portola Middle School musical group, Portola Singers, in Los Angeles, California, as an excellent choreographer and friend.
(July 2009) Performing Basic Training to sold-out audiences on a 14 city tour of Australia until Aug 3.
(October 2008) Performing his one man show Basic Training Off Broadway at the Barrow Street Theatre, NYC.
(February 2007) Splitting his time between one man show rehearsals in NYC and filming in Canada
Vancouver, Canada: Appearing in N. American commercial ad campaign for Sharp Aquos Television
(March 2011) Los Angeles, CA USA : Basic Training optioned for television by Barry Josephson & Wendy Kram
(April 2005) In rehearsal for the UK & NYC Premiere of his autobiographical one man show, Basic Training.
(August 2006) In rehearsal for the NYC Premiere of his autobiographical one man show, Basic Training. Now represented by the William Morris Agency, New York.
(April 2010) Selected to perform with Cirque Du Soleil.
