Masazumi Chaya
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Masazumi Chaya is a Japanese American dancer and choreographer. He was the associate artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) from 1991 to 2020.[1]
Masazumi Chaya | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 21, 1947 |
| Occupations | Choreographer, dancer |
| Years active | 1972–present |
Early life
Chaya was born to a doctor and nurse[2] in Fukuoka, Japan, and trained in classical ballet.[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 in Tokyo.
He moved to New 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
Chaya 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 to Alvin Ailey before Ailey's death in 1989.[8] Chaya was named AAADT's associate artistic director in 1991 by Judith Jamison.[3] 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.[2] 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.[2] He's credited with providing continuity to AAADT over the years.[10][6][11]
Former director Judith Jamison referred to him as the "miracle of this company," who "can remember details and dances like no other."[5]
Ballet stagings
- 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
- 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