Master Class with dance theater artist Michael Sakamoto
Saturday December 9, 2017
1:30-3:00 PM
Working from elements inspired by butoh and hip-hop dance practices, Michael leads students through a series of movement and image exercises in order to demonstrate his unique blend of intercultural identity and contemporary dance.
Michael Sakamoto is an interdisciplinary artist active in dance, theatre, media and photography and one of the leading butoh-based performers in the USA. Dedicated to nurturing intercultural dialogue and cultural sustainability through performative and visual methodologies, Michael creates choreographic and narrative performances, media works and photo essays designed to challenge audience assumptions and reveal diverse experiences across geography, language and social boundaries. His works have been presented in 14 countries throughout Asia, Europe and North America, including at REDCAT, Vancouver International Dance Festival, Dance Center of Columbia College (2016), TACT/Fest Osaka, UCLA Fowler Museum and many others. He is currently touring: “Flash”, a butoh/hip-hop duet with acclaimed choreographer Rennie Harris; “Soil”, a dance theater trio with Southeast Asian dancers; and “blind spot”, an intermedia solo performance exploring intellectual property censorship and corporate militarism. Michael is also writing a book project, “An Empty Room: Butoh Performance and the Social Body in Crisis” for Wesleyan University Press.
