Chie Saito is a 2008/2009 Ovation Award Nominee for Acting Ensemble for her work in MODEL BEHAVIOR, i.e. THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE at 24th Street Theatre.
If you’d like to add a congratulatory message for Chie (or any other Nominee or Nominated Company), to the Ovation Awards commemorative poster (distributed to all nominees and all attendees at the Ceremony), click here!
As an Ovation Award Nominee, LA Stage asked Chie the following questions:
What was the moment that first inspired you to pursue working in the theatre?
I started Classic ballet when I was 6 year old. I stopped going to ballet school at 16, but I started to sing and came to U.S.A and learned Theater. I’ve been on stage almost my entire life. Although, when my mother told me that I went up on stage and started singing at the University festival by our house when was 3 or 4 year old, I thought that being on stage is the reason I was born.
What do you feel made the production you were nominated for particularly successful, either overall or for you specifically?
This production was really unique yet easily understandable. All of our cast members admired the directors and we really trusted each other. I respected everybody who was involved in Model Behavior and that was very important to keep connected during the play.
What project or projects are you currently working on?
“Herstory -A Woman’s Eye-”
as Creator, Choreographer, and Ama.
Pro. Beth Hogan at Odyssey Theater
“Does He Know” as Puppeteer and Dancer
“The Pink Dress” as Puppeteer
Written and Directed by Leslie K. Gray of Triumvirate Pi Theater
What do you love most about theatre in Los Angeles?
I don’t know much about theater in other places. Most of theater in Japan has norm system but Actors in Los Angeles are protected by the union.
What’s your dream project?
I want to form a theater company with all the artistic friends as Writer, painter, musician, costume designer, lighting designer, CG designer, actor etc. and tour the world. I would love to perform at parks, streets, and cafe to be able to show this art to the people who had no connection or chance to see any theater. I will preferably use the audience member too.
Biography: Chie Saito was born in Nagoya, Japan, and she received her ballet training at Sassa Ballet Academy in Japan. She attended college in Japan and majored in International Culture and studied Japanese Theatre. She came to the United States and entered the Los Angeles City College, Theatre Academy where she pursued her dream by participating in several stage productions. Ms. Saito made her acting debut in the student directed One-Act The Long Goodbye by Tennessee Williams as “Mother” at LACC. Her other stage appearances included The Women of Troy, the World Premiere musical The Brain of Planet X, Within Us, and The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel. Ms. Saito was invited to create a theater piece with Fulya Diners and Kate Whitney at The Odyssey Theatre Ensemble and wrote and performed A Woman’s Eye. Furthermore, Ms. Saito performed in Model Behavior presented by Theatre Movement Bazaar at Redcat Theater and 24th St. Theatre as well as in Does He Know? by Triumvirate PI Theatre at Electric Lodge. Ms. Saito has directed three Japanese Kyogen plays in varying styles in English, The Magic Fundoshi, The Magic Mallet of the Devil, and Literate Highwaymen.
For a full list of Ovation nominees, or for information about the Ovation Awards Ceremony on January 11th, click here!
