Deborah Jinza Thayer

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

Early life

As an infant, Jinza Thayer lived in Japan and Southeast Asia. Her family moved to the United States,

She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Johns Hopkins University and received her Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance from George Mason University.

Career

Jinza Thayer presents her work as Movement Architecture,

Jinza Thayer is a registered Somatic Movement Therapist and Movement Educator (ISMETA) 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.

In 2024, Jinza Thayer was an artist-in-residence at Rosy Simas Danse. As part of her residency, she previewed “From Tokyo to Brooklyn.” She also appeared in the "52nd Choreographers' Evening" at the Walker Art Center.

In 2018, Jinza Thayer premiered "All Hail the Queen" in the Goodale Theater at the Cowles Center in Minneapolis, MN. This work examined the historically censored anatomies of women, specifically the voice and the vagina.

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.

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

Productions

Jinza Thayer has created more than 60 original works, Primary Dancers: Stephanie Battle, Erika Hansen, Anne Lentz, Jinza Thayer. Additional Performers: Lelis Brito, Giuliana Ciabo, Kavya Chirayil, Dane Cree, Alejandra Iannone, Masanari Kawahara, and Tumelo Khupe, Starla Larson. Production Manager/Stage Manager: Daniel Grove. Assistant Stage Manager: Jillian Holstad. Installation Design: Lelis Brito. Projection Design: Boo McCaleb. Sound Design: Janika Vandervelde & Rhonda Lund. Costume Design: Anju Kataria. Lighting Design: Josh Wabaunsee. Northrop at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN. 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. Itch (2013). Choreographer: Deborah Jinza Thayer. Composer: Janika Vandervelde. The Southern Theater, Minneapolis, MN. Diana Takes A Swim (2012). Choreographer: Deborah Jinza Thayer. Composer: Janika Vandervelde. Red Eye Theater, Minneapolis, MN. 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. My Little Cyborg (2002). Choreographer: Deborah Jinza Thayer. Set design: Ron Albert.

Personal life 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.

Awards and honors Minnesota State Arts Board, Creative Support for Individuals grant recipient, 2022 Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, Grant recipient, 2017 American Composers Forum, Grant recipient, 2011 McKnight Fellowship for Choreography, 2004 Minnesota State Arts Board, Grant recipient, 2002 Semi-finalist, Rencontres chorégraphiques internationales de Seine-Saint-Denis (Bagnolet, France), 2001 Minnesota State Arts Board, Grant recipient, 1999 Semi-finalist, Rencontres chorégraphiques internationales de Seine-Saint-Denis (Bagnolet, France), 1999