Masazumi Chaya is aJapanese Americandancer,choreographer and was the associate artistic director ofAlvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) from 1991 to 2020.[1]
Masazumi Chaya | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1947-02-21)February 21, 1947 (age 78) |
| Occupation(s) | Choreographer,dancer |
| Years active | 1972–present |
Early life
editChaya was born and trained in classical ballet inFukuoka,Japan,[2] to a doctor and nurse.[3] He found his way into theater as a dresser in his teenage years, and later as a musical theater dancer on stage and on television inTokyo.
He moved toNew York City in December 1970,[4] after questioning whether he was getting work in Japan for being a male, instead of for his ability.[5]
Career
editChaya performed with AAADT for fifteen years beginning in 1972, becoming rehearsal director after retiring from dancing in 1987[6][7] and also serving as choreographic assistant toAlvin Ailey before Ailey's death in 1989.[8] Chaya was named AAADT's associate artistic director in 1991 byJudith Jamison.[2] From 1991 to 2020, Chaya served as Associate Artistic Director of the Company.[9]
Chaya has staged and re-staged various Ailey works, rehearsed dancers, and taught company class for AAADT.[3] He primarily teaches Ailey dances that he has performed.[6]
Chaya has focused on maintaining the spirit of Ailey's dances with today's performers, who have generally not experienced the same life challenges as Ailey's dancers of the past.[3] He's credited with providing continuity to AAADT over the years.[10][6][11]
Former directorJudith Jamison referred to him as the "miracle of this company," who "can remember details and dances like no other."[5]
Ballet stagings
edit- Alvin Ailey's Flowers for the State Ballet of Missouri 1990
- Alvin Ailey's The River for the Royal Swedish Ballet 1993, Ballet Florida 1995, National Ballet of Prague 1995, Pennsylvania Ballet 1996 and Colorado Ballet 1998
Ballet re-stagings
edit- The Mooche for AAADT
- The Stack-Up for AAADT
- Episodes for AAADT
- Bad Blood for AAADT
- Hidden Rites for AAADT
- Urban Folk Dance for AAADT
- Witness for AAADT
- The River for North Carolina Dance Theatre and Julio Bocca's Ballet Argentina
- Blues Suite for AADT
- Judith Jamison's Hymn for AADT
References
edit- ^Kourlas, Gia (8 July 2019)."Alvin Ailey's Associate Artistic Director to Step Down".The New York Times. Retrieved10 August 2023.
- ^ab"Masazumi Chaya Celebrates 35 Years with Alvin Ailey Dance". Broadway World. 12 November 2017. Retrieved23 March 2019.
- ^abcDunning, Jennifer (8 December 2002)."DANCE; An Aide of All Trades Who Keeps Things Moving".The New York Times. Retrieved23 March 2019.
- ^"Masazumi Chaya".Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. 9 February 2010. Retrieved23 March 2019.
- ^abWright, Frankie (26 April 1991)."Keeping Ailey on Its Toes : Choreography: The dance company is staying true to its late founder's vision, but it is also fostering the new".The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved23 March 2019.
- ^abcBleiberg (17 February 2006)."Dance: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater keeps the faith". Orange County Register. Retrieved23 March 2019.
- ^"Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: 50 Years Cultural Ambassador to the World". Library of Congress. 8 May 2008. Retrieved23 March 2019.
- ^"Masazumi Chaya: Biography". The Kennedy Center. Retrieved23 March 2019.
- ^"Masazumi Chaya". Retrieved21 March 2021.
- ^MacMillan, Kyle (27 March 2008)."With 50 years under its feet, Alvin Ailey stays true to tradition of branching out". The Denver Post. Retrieved23 March 2019.
- ^Dunning, Jennifer (21 December 2007)."Ailey Family Celebrates One of Its Own".The New York Times. Retrieved23 March 2019.
External links
edit- Masazumi Chaya, Celebrating 35 Years
- Masazumi Chaya, Associate Artistic Director, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
- Directors: Masazumi Chaya
- Masazumi Chaya in Alvin Ailey's dance production Revelations