Saki Masuda performs in the Ensemble of A Christmas Carol – The Musical, playing at The Argyle Theatre in Long Island, NY, this holiday season. She also plays the Ghost of Christmas Future. Plus, she’s the show’s Dance Captain and Associate Choreographer. So, that’s four hats for one production. Let’s just say Masuda will be quite busy until January 6, 2025.
“But it’s actually so much fun!” she says enthusiastically. “Once the show starts, we don’t stop backstage. We are constantly quick changing into next scenes and characters. Whole body changes sometimes, too – shoes, costumes, wigs, makeup!”
Masuda started as a classical ballet dancer, training at the local ballet school in her small hometown of Nara, Japan, starting at five years old. Her passion for the performing arts grew quickly, and in 2007, she relocated to New York City to continue pursuing her dreams. She was accepted on full scholarship to study ballet, jazz, modern and musical theater at Steps on Broadway. There, she found herself studying with some legendary dance educators – David Howard, Debbie Roshe, Suzi Taylor, Karen Gayle, Michael Owens, Milton Myers and more.
The passionate and versatile dancer was soon invited to join the Steps Ensemble, and has since performed with Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company, Catskill Ballet Theatre, Heidi Latsky Dance, The King and I national tour, in musicals Cats, The Bodyguard and Elf: The Musical, and as a back-up dancer for Weird Al Yankovic at Radio City Music Hall.
Along her performance journey, Masuda also found herself working closer and closer with Debbie Roshe, a former Broadway dancer and now choreographer and prominent dance teacher in NYC. “I’ve known Debbie since 2006,” Masuda recalls. “I took her class at Steps on Broadway for the first time when I just came to visit NYC for two weeks as a tourist. I didn’t speak English at all then! I got a student visa from Steps and came back in 2007. That’s when I started taking her classes consistently, and she asked me to be her assistant for her kids’ program. Seventeen years later, now Dance Captain and Associate Choreographer for her shows?! I feel very lucky and grateful. Never give up!”
Working with such an icon has enriched Masuda as a performer, educator and even audience member herself. “I think Debbie knows how to make something so powerful, especially in ensemble pieces. She also gives everyone the chance to have their moments to shine. Even small details of the timing and angles of the arms or heads make a huge difference. It’s so satisfying to do and witness! I never get tired of it and am still learning.”
This year marks Masuda’s second season with A Christmas Carol – The Musical. She was a part of the production two years ago at a different theater and with a different director and cast, but still with choreography by Roshe.
It’s a wonder, with having to wear as many hats as Masuda, how one manages it all, mentally and physically — needing to be ready to jump in at any moment to teach a swing or help backstage, but also having to focus on yourself as a performer.
“Since I became a Dance Captain, I started seeing the dance numbers as a whole picture, not just focusing on each step,” she says. “That helps me find the best solution when things happen or needs to be fixed. And, of course, I communicate with stage management all the time because they know the show inside and out!”
Masuda adds, “I always try to be calm, available and check in on everyone to see if they need help. I love to be at the theater very early. I love quiet time in the theater to get ready and warm up physically and mentally for myself before others get here. So that I’m ready for everyone when needed.”
She says she likes the challenge of having so many roles. It’s busy, hard work, but it forces her to fully commit to the show and to be present. “I love it because I get to connect and work with the cast and backstage crews even more,” Masuda explains. “I love that I get to know the show more deeply rather than just doing my parts. I adore this Christmas Carol company! Everyone genuinely loves to be in the show, and that’s a gift! Please come us and celebrate the holidays with us!”
A Christmas Carol – The Musical runs through January 5, 2025, at The Argyle Theatre in Babylon, NY. For tickets and more information, visit www.argyletheatre.com/achristmascarol.
By Laura Di Orio of Dance Informa.
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