Masazumi Chaya

Masazumi Chaya is a Japanese American dancer, choreographer and was the associate artistic director of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (AAADT) from 1991 to 2020.[1]

Masazumi Chaya
Born (1947-02-21) February 21, 1947
Fukuoka, Japan
Occupation(s)Choreographer, dancer
Years active1972–present


Early life

Chaya was born and trained in classical ballet in Fukuoka, 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 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.[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 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

References
  1. Kourlas, Gia. "Alvin Ailey's Associate Artistic Director to Step Down". nytimes.com. The New York Times. Retrieved 10 August 2023.
  2. "Masazumi Chaya Celebrates 35 Years with Alvin Ailey Dance". Broadway World. 12 November 2017. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  3. Dunning, Jennifer (8 December 2002). "DANCE; An Aide of All Trades Who Keeps Things Moving". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  4. "Masazumi Chaya". Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. 9 February 2010. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  5. Wright, 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. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  6. Bleiberg (17 February 2006). "Dance: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater keeps the faith". Orange County Register. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  7. "Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: 50 Years Cultural Ambassador to the World". Library of Congress. 8 May 2008. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  8. "Masazumi Chaya: Biography". The Kennedy Center. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  9. "Masazumi Chaya". Retrieved 21 March 2021.
  10. MacMillan, Kyle (27 March 2008). "With 50 years under its feet, Alvin Ailey stays true to tradition of branching out". The Denver Post. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  11. Dunning, Jennifer (21 December 2007). "Ailey Family Celebrates One of Its Own". The New York Times. Retrieved 23 March 2019.


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