When it comes to her dance career, Ida Saki lets intuition lead the way. “I try to follow whatever I’m interested in at the present moment,” she says. “Every job opportunity has opened up another door for me and shifted my career in ways I never could have imagined.” Originally from Dallas, Saki, a graduate of New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, began her professional career with Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet in 2011, and has performed as Lady Macbeth in Sleep No More, on Broadway in Bob Fosse’s DANCIN’, and in music videos for Coldplay and Lola Kirke. She’s currently a “Prologue Dancer” and the dance captain of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club at the August Wilson Theatre.
Saki is an immensely present performer, with an electric movement quality that radiates both ease and complexity. And as she continues to navigate each new chapter of her career, she is committed to trusting the process: “I remind myself that what is for me will not pass me,” Saki says. “Always wondering ‘What’s next?’ was an amazing vehicle to get me to where I am, but now I just want to enjoy the ride.”
A Constant Refresh
“I love the constant stimulation of newness and readjustment that comes with a freelance career. My whole lifestyle shifts with each new job, from the music I listen to to the way I take care of my body. I always find out something new about myself, from how I relate to other people to how I approach dance.”
No Two Alike
“What I love about my role in Cabaret is that, as a performer, I receive instantaneous feedback from the audience—they often react back, whether it’s with laughter, a smile, or a wave. All the jobs I’ve said yes to in my career provide differentiation between each performance. Every single show is always fresh and new.”
Taking It as It Comes
“Once I was able to let go of everyone else’s perceptions of me, I found myself. I continue to trust the path and follow what’s in front of me without putting too much pressure on the future, which has been a big relief.”
