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Miguel GodreauDancer originally from Puerto Rico
Country:
 USA |
Content:
- Biography of Miguel Godreau
- The Black Nureyev
- Work with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater
- Personal Life and Legacy
Biography of Miguel Godreau
Early Life and CareerMiguel Godreau was born in 1947 in Ponce, Puerto Rico, and grew up in New York City. As a teenager, he decided to pursue a career in dance and attended the High School of Performing Arts, the Joffrey Ballet school, and the School of American Ballet in New York City. During his school years, Godreau began performing in musical theater and later on Broadway and in London. Some of his notable works in musical theater include the 1964 project "Wonderworld" at the New York World's Fair, directed by Michael Kidd, and the 1969 musical "Dear World" with Angela Lansbury, where Godreau played a deaf-mute. He also landed dance roles in films and television, including "Billie," "Ladies Only," "Swashbuckler," and the horror fantasy film "Altered States" in 1980, where he portrayed a monstrous alter-ego of William Hurt.
The Black Nureyev
Godreau, a flexible and petite dancer, captivated audiences worldwide with his passion and deep sensuality. He earned the nickname "the black Nureyev" for his extraordinary talent. He performed in musicals until joining the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater in 1965. Godreau's mastery of dance mesmerized audiences, especially when he took on the leading role in choreographer Geoffrey Holder's "Prodigal Prince" in 1967, which was specifically created for him. In this acclaimed number, Godreau portrayed Hector Hippolyte, a Haitian folk artist who believed he was inspired by voodoo gods.
Work with Alvin Ailey Dance Theater
Godreau found his greatest recognition as one of the leading dancers in the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. He began working with choreographer and dancer Alvin Ailey in 1965 and intermittently performed with the company until the early 1970s. Furthermore, Godreau choreographed and rehearsed dance numbers on cabaret stages in Europe and Japan. His final works were staged in 1993 and 1994, collaborating with the contemporary circus company Cirque de Soleil. Additionally, Godreau taught at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Broadway Dance Center, and other dance studios in the 1980s and 1990s.
Personal Life and Legacy
Miguel Godreau was married to Judith Jamison, the artistic director of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater, from 1972 to 1974. Their marriage was annulled. On August 29, 1996, at the age of 49, Godreau passed away in a Manhattan hospital. His friend Penny Frank stated that the dancer's death was directly related to AIDS. Godreau is survived by his mother Norberta Torres, sister Carmen Alicia Cambrelea, and brother Roberto.
