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Deborah Jinza Thayer

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Deborah Jinza Thayer
Born
Deborah Jinza Thayer
Occupation(s)choreographer, dancer, artistic director, somatic movement educator
Years active198? - Present
Career
Current groupMovement Architecture
Websitemovementarchitecture.com

Deborah Jinza Thayer is an American choreographer, dancer, and artistic director, located in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Early life

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As an infant, Jinza Thayer lived in Japan and Southeast Asia.[1][2] Her family moved to the United States,[3] and she was raised in Brooklyn, New York.[1][4]

She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins University[1][2][4][5][6] and received her Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance from George Mason University.[1][2][4][7]

Career

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Jinza Thayer presents her work as Movement Architecture, and serves as the company’s artistic director and primary choreographer.[1][2][8]

Jinza Thayer is a registerd Somatic Movement Therapist and Movement Educator (ISMETA)[9][10] and maintains an individualized training practice in St. Paul.[1] She also conducts group movement therapy workshops at Tofte Lake Center in Ely, Minnesota.[11] For more than two decades, Jinza Thayer has been on the faculty of Zenon Dance Company and School (Minneapolis), where she teaches dance and movement.[1][2][9]

In 2013, Jinza Thayer was featured in “Minnesota Original,” an award-winning public television show that celebrates the artists of Minnesota. [12]

In 2016, Jinza Thayer and Rosy Simas performed together at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, that was the final performance of Simas' multi-city dance tour.[1][13]

In 2023, Jinza Thayer was a Visiting Artist at MANCC, Florida State University School of Dance. As part of her residency, she worked with creative collaborators and students on her new work, "From Tokyo to Brooklyn: A Jagged Journey."[14]

In 2024, Jinza Thayer was an artist-in-residence with Rosy Simas Danse’ three thirty-one space. As part of her residency, she previewed “From Tokyo to Brooklyn.”[15]

Productions

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Jinza Thayer has created more than 60 original works.[2][9] The following is a partial list of her notable productions.

  • “From Tokyo to Brooklyn” (2024) Choreographer: Deborah Jinza Thayer.[15][16][3]
  • “All Hail the Queen” (2018). Choreographer: Deborah Jinza Thayer. Text: Melissa Birch. Composer: Janika Vandervelde. Installation: Amelia Biewald. Dancers: Julia Davidson, Non Edwards, Erika Hansen, Christine Maginnis, Sharon Picasso, Eve Schulte, Erin Thompson, and Roxane Wallace.[10]
  • “Itch” (2013). Choreographer: Deborah Jinza Thayer. Composer: Janika Vandervelde. The Southern Theater, Minneapolis, MN.[17]
  • “Diana Takes A Swim” (2012). Choreographer: Deborah Jinza Thayer. Composer: Janika Vandervelde. Red Eye Theatre, Minneapolis, MN.[17]
  • “Ode to Dolly” (2009). Choreographer: Deborah Jinza Thayer. Music: Matthew Smith. Costumes: Lisa Axell and Laura Adams. Set design: Bryan Axell/3 Ring Scenic. Dancers: Rachel Barnes, Penelope Freeh, Sarah Jacobs, Christine Maginnis, Deidre Murnane, Sharon Picasso, Kimberly Richardson. New California Gallery, Minneapolis, MN.[18]
  • “All That Glitters” (2007). Choreographer: Deborah Jinza Thayer. Music: Tom Scott. Costumes: Lisa Axell. Set design: Bryan Axell. Cello: Michelle Kinney. Dancers: Penny Freeh, Joanna Furnans, Sarah Jacobs, Ariel Linnerson, Christine Maginnis, Debra McGee, Kimberly Richardson, Rosy Simas. The Southern Theater, Minneapolis, MN.[19]

Personal life

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In 2012, Jinza Thayer and Rebecca Surmont were eating together at an outdoor restaurant in St. Paul, Minnesota, when a car crashed into the bistro. Jinza Thayer suffered several injuries, including a partially collapsed lung, cracked vertebrae, and fractured ribs.[20]

Awards and Honors

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  • Minnesota State Arts Board, Creative Support for Individuals grant recipient, 2022[3]
  • McKnight Fellowship for Choreography, 2019[2]
  • Minnesota State Arts Board, Grant recipient, Fiscal 2018[1][2][21]
  • Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, Grant recipient, 2017[2]
  • American Composers Forum, Grant recipient, 2014[1][2]
  • Minnesota State Arts Board, Grant recipient, Fiscal 2014[1][2][22]
  • American Composers Forum, Grant recipient, 2011[1][2]
  • Blacklock Nature Sanctuary Fellowship, 2010[2]
  • SAGE Award for Choreographic Concept, 2010[1][2]
  • Minnesota State Arts Board, Grant recipient, 2009[1][2]
  • American Composers Forum, Grant recipient, 2006[1][2]
  • Associate Artist Residency at Atlantic Center for the Arts, 2006[2]
  • Jerome Foundation, Grant recipient for three-week residency at the Atlantic Center for the Arts, New Smyrna Beach, Florida, 2006[23]
  • McKnight Fellowship for Choreography, 2004[1][2]
  • Minnesota State Arts Board, Grant recipient, 2002[1][2]
  • Semi-finalist, Rencontres chorégraphiques internationales de Seine-Saint-Denis (Bagnolet, France), 2001[2]
  • Minnesota State Arts Board, Grant recipient, 1999[1][2]
  • Semi-finalist, Rencontres chorégraphiques internationales de Seine-Saint-Denis (Bagnolet, France), 1999[2]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r Carleton presents A Shared Evening Of Dance: This special performance features acclaimed Twin Cities dancers Rosy Simas and Deborah Jinza Thayer. News. Carleton College. May 22, 2016. https://www.carleton.edu/news/stories/carleton-presents-a-shared-evening-of-dance/
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v Jinza Thayer. 2019 Choreographer Fellow. McKnight Fellowships for Dancers and Choreographers. http://www.mcknightdancechoreo.org/fellows//deborah-jinza-thayer
  3. ^ a b c From Tokyo to Brooklyn: A Jagged Journey. Movement Architecture. Twin Cities, MN. 2024. https://www.movementarchitecture.com/fromtokyotobrooklyn
  4. ^ a b c "Green River Dance for Global Somatics". Archived from the original on July 11, 2011. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved October 31, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ "Instructors". Zenondance.org. Archived from the original on 2016-06-02. Retrieved 2016-06-01.
  7. ^ "Dance - George Mason University". Archived from the original on July 10, 2010. Retrieved October 31, 2010.
  8. ^ Movement Architecture. https://www.movementarchitecture.com
  9. ^ a b c Deborah Jinza Thayer as Special Guest on Studio Stories this Week. Dance MN. https://dancemn.org/submissions/deborah-jinza-thayer-as-special-guest-on-studio-stories-this-week/
  10. ^ a b All Hail the Queen. Illusion Theater. Center for the Performing Arts. 2018. https://www.illusiontheater.org/all-hail-the-queen
  11. ^ 2024 group retreats. Shifting the Paradigm of Movement Training for Dancers. Deborah Jinza Thayer. August 21–27, 2024. https://www.toftelake.org/2024-group-retreats
  12. ^ Deborah Jinza Thayer. Minnesota Original. Season 4. Episode 11. Twin Cities PBS. 2013. https://www.pbs.org/video/Deborah-Jinza-Thayer-607060H-1/
  13. ^ ArtZany!-Radio for the Imagination | Dance Artist Deborah Jinza Thayer. KYMN Radio. May 20, 2016. https://kymnradio.net/2016/05/20/artzany-radio-imagination-dance-artist-deborah-jinza-thayer-05202016/
  14. ^ From Tokyo to Brooklyn: A Jagged Journey. Visiting Artist. MANCC, Florida State University School of Dance. March 21 - April 3, 2023. https://mancc.org/artists/jinza-thayer/
  15. ^ a b Artist-in-Residence: DJinza Thayer. Rosy Simas Dance. https://rosysimasdanse.com/news/artist-in-residence-djinza-thayer
  16. ^ Tiger Balm. Process Dance Process. Red Eye Theater. January 17, 2024. https://www.redeyetheater.org/tiger-balm-jan-2024
  17. ^ a b Janika Vandervelde. Catalog of Works. Hothouse Press. https://janikavandervelde.com/catalog.html
  18. ^ Lefevre, Camille. In Our Own Image: Movement Architecture’s “Ode to Dolly.” MN Artists. December 9, 2009. https://mnartists.walkerart.org/in-our-own-image-movement-architectures-ode-to-dolly
  19. ^ Darst, Lightsey. Movement Architecture: Verve and Cringe. Review. MN Artists. October 8, 2007. https://mnartists.walkerart.org/movement-architecture-verve-and-cringe
  20. ^ Staff reporting. Local news and views for 6/8: A dancer recovers; trading the Fine Line for the Cabooze. Minneapolis Star Tribune. June 7, 2012. https://www.startribune.com/item-world-local-news-and-views-for-6-8/157853675
  21. ^ FY 2018 Grantees. Artist Initiative. Minnesota State Arts Board. https://www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/2018/2018-awarded-ai.htm
  22. ^ FY 2014 Grantees. Artist Initiative. Minnesota State Arts Board. https://www.arts.state.mn.us/grants/2014/2014-awarded-ai.htm
  23. ^ Past Grantees. Jerome Foundation. 2006. https://www.jeromefdn.org/past-grantees?grant_type=20&discipline=4&from=1%20January%201986&to=&region=All&program=12&keys=&page=3
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