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Saki Masuda is a performer based in NYC. After seeing a production of Peter Pan at a young age, Masuda fell in love with the arts and quickly enrolled in ballet classes. After graduating from Kyoto Women’s University, she began pursuing theatre in the U.S., enjoying 15 years (and counting!) of performing professionally. Now, her resume boasts credits such as The King And I, Cats, The Bodyguard, Elf The Musical, The Little Mermaid, The Little Prince, Sayonara (a staged reading), as well as work with the General Mischief Dance Theatre, Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, Heidi Latsky Dance, and Catskill Ballet Theatre – but you can catch her inA Christmas Carolas an associate choreographer this season!Masuda’s advice to young artists? “Learn and take opportunities from as many people as much as you can, and connect!” Read on to learn more aboutSaki Masuda and what makes her an Amazing Asian in the Arts!
Name: Saki Masuda
Heritage: Japanese
Hometown: Sakurai city, Nara Prefecture, Japan
Current City: New York City
Current project: A Christmas Carol (associate choreographer)
What are some of your favorite credits/projects:
Dance companies:
Musical Theatre:
Any advice for young people getting into the arts?
Learn and take opportunities from as many people as much as you can, and connect! Be a person who wants to work again.
How did you get your start?
My parents took me to see the musical Peter Pan in Japan when I was around 5. I fell in love and I told my parents that I wanted to be Peter Pan! They put me in the local ballet school, and the rest of the history.
Do you have any favorite moments in your career that you'd like to share?
I really love and enjoy working as a team. Cast, musicians, stage crews, costumes and wigs department, sounds, lightings, box office and user crews… we can’t put the show without them!
What have you found is the biggest challenge in your career?
Being a non-native English speaker trying to pursue my career in U.S. – it never gets easier, but I’m learning everyday and I love the challenge!
Do you have any mentors?
My dance teacher, Debbie Roshe. I took her dance class for the first time when I arrived in NYC as a student 17 years ago, and now I’m working as her assistant/associate choreographer/dance captain for her shows. I wouldn’t be here if I hadn’t met her.
Did you always want to be in the arts or did you have another path before you got here?
I used to be a competitive swimmer when I was younger. I was doing both swimming and ballet classes for a while, but then I realized I don’t like to compete with people. And also I just love dancing, so I chose ballet. But I have to say that swimming gave me a lot of stamina and immune system in my body. I don’t get sick easily to this day!
When did you know you wanted to have a career in the arts?
I’m so lucky and fortunate that I discovered what I wanted to do for my career at a young age. Since my parents took me to Peter Pan and put me in a local ballet class, there was nothing else I wanted to do. I’m really thankful for my supportive parents.
Is where you are now where you thought you’d be?
After 15 years of performing professionally, as much as I love performing as an actor/dancer, I also enjoy being a part of creative. I’ve been fortunate to work as a dance captain for the last several productions and I’m an associate choreographer as well for this current production (A Christmas Carol). So I would love to keep working as part of the creative team more in the future. It’s really fulfilling to get deeper and connect with what you are working on. I would also love to try the TV /film world!
Did you have any interesting “odd jobs” you worked at between gigs to pay the bills?
It’s nothing odd about my jobs outside the theatre, but I do work as a server at the restaurant and also as a nanny between the projects to survive. I’m very proud of my survival jobs!
Do you have any other “special skills?”
I’m a dancer who likes to count when I dance, so I think I’m good at breaking down the dance steps with counts! It comes in handy when I work as a dance captain.
If you come from parents who aren’t in the arts, what parts of them do you see in yourself that have helped you succeed in the business?
My parents are both school teachers, nothing related to what I do now. They are always grounded and don't get affected by social media or any other distractions. I used to get so distracted and affected by what people said or what I heard, but as I get older, I feel more calm and grounded. I feel like I can control myself better – huge thanks to my parents!
If you could go back in time, what would you tell your younger self?
Don’t compare yourself to others. Always have a wider vision, not only the things right front of you. Don’t be afraid to try. Be patient.
What skills did you find to be the most helpful in your career?
Be kind to others. It’s ok to not be perfect.
Where did you study at?
Kyoto Women’s University (Japan) and Steps on Broadway (NYC).
What are some goals you hope to achieve?
Working on Broadway (as an actor and/or a part of a creative team), and to be a part of a dance film.
What do you love most about what you do?
To have a show family in each production.
What helped you most to rebound from what you considered your biggest failure or mistake in your career?
Take a break and rebuild yourself mentally and physically. When I injured my ankles, I took a long break to do physical therapy, beginner ballet classes and Pilates. And I watched many movies!
How do you deal with performance anxiety?
I love being at the theatre very early, I’m usually the first person in the theatre to have time to put on makeup and stretch in the space. I love a quiet theatre before the curtain. It calms me down.
Do you have any self care practices you do to stay focused and sane? What was your self care routine before the pandemic and how has that (as well as your views of self care) changed throughout the pandemic?
I love stretching in general. I’ve been enjoying taking yoga classes for a while in addition to my dance class – so I took yoga teacher training and got certified on Zoom during the pandemic! It was a crazy and hard experience taking Zoom classes for the first time, but I’m so glad I did it. It helped me stay focused and grounded.
What do you think is the greatest asset a dancer can have?
Their community (and a foam roller)!
How do you think your creative process has changed over time?
Since I started being a dance captain for shows, I started to look at the show as a whole and not just my parts, specifically the dance numbers. It was actually really helpful for me as a performer.
If you are a choreographer, how do you go about putting together a dance piece?
If I became a choreographer, I'd study the show and listen to the music a lot! I love dancing with music and lyrics when I perform, so I’d like to honor the music and lyrics when I get to choreograph one day!
What inspires you?
People.
Is there anything else you would like to share about yourself?
I just love being in this community. I think it's a very special thing that we get to inspire so many people – and get inspired ourselves by doing what we love.
To find out more onSaki Masuda, please visit her at:
Website: https://www.sakimasuda.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sakinyc/
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Photo by Keita Okuda and Nobuteru Hirata
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