MAYA BLUEPRINT

What is the story behind your stage name?

Maya is a tribute to African American poet Maya Angelou, who embodies strength and profound creativity. In English, Blueprint refers to a master plan or architectural drawing, evoking my structured and logical mind.

What is your history with dance?

I am originally from Kansas City, Missouri, in the heart of the United States. I was so energetic that my mother enrolled me in dance classes when I was four years old. The school was run by an African American woman like us, and she became a role model for me as I grew up, especially as I remained there until I was eighteen.

From the age of seven, dance became something serious for me. I took many hours of classes and travelled from one competition to another. At eighteen, I chose to study dance management, combining dance classes (ballet, jazz, tap, musical theatre and partner dancing) with courses in marketing, business law and management. This career choice seemed completely crazy, as everyone in my family works in the legal profession. But I graduated and went on to pursue my life as a dancer on cruise ships, in Las Vegas, London and Germany, where some colleagues encouraged me to try my luck at Crazy Horse Paris. I attended my first audition in Paris. It went well, but nothing concrete came of it. From that first moment on the Crazy Horse Paris stage, I had only one thought in my mind: to return.

Three years later, I auditioned again and, thank you, universe, it worked!

What kind of woman are you when you dance on the Crazy Horse Paris stage?

I am a bold and powerful woman, but also sensitive and charming. Above all, I am very playful with the audience. It is important to me that each person feels seen and feels as though they are part of the show, that they feel they are sharing a unique moment with me and leave with butterflies in their stomachs. The audience is different every night. That unpredictability makes every performance unique. I play with the energy they give me and return it to them, filled with joy, confidence and lightness.

What have you discovered about yourself since becoming a Crazy Horse Paris dancer?

In my previous experiences, I danced for the whole audience, projecting my energy towards the back of the room. Here, the venue is so intimate that you can almost have a conversation with each individual spectator. I have learned to look people in the eye, to play and interact with them. Crazy Horse Paris has given me the confidence to do that.

What message would you like to convey to the audience when you dance on the Crazy Horse Paris stage?

A message about letting go. When people come to see the show, they can leave their worries outside and enter a liberated, artistic world. I would like them to understand that it is not necessary to take everything in life so seriously. We can allow ourselves to have a good time, play with our charm, embrace a sense of lightness… or even explore our power of seduction or our sensuality!

What do the Crazy Horse Paris dancers represent to you?

They represent women who are so strong and self-assured that they are no longer afraid to reveal themselves as they truly are, with their sensitivity, vulnerability and immense sensuality. Crazy Horse Paris dancers offer the audience the intimacy of their emotions without fear, because their self-confidence makes them untouchable. I still find it difficult to believe that I am now part of this troupe. It is a tremendous source of pride to inherit the legacy of the women who came before me over the past seventy-five years. I shaped this dream by drawing inspiration from their tastes, personalities, confidence, artistic talent and strength, and today I can carry that legacy in my turn… It means everything to me.

What attracts you so much to this profession?

Freedom. When I dance, I forget everything else. The stage is the only place where I devote my body and soul entirely to the present moment. Dance is also an emotional outlet for me. No matter what I am going through, it is always there, accessible, to make me feel better. Dance also means a life filled with travel and discovery…that is very important to me. The world is so vast, and there is so much to learn from other cultures. Being able to turn my passion into my profession is extraordinary.

Which female icons inspire you?

Misty Copeland is incredibly inspiring. She grew up in Missouri, just like me, and became the first African American principal ballerina at the New York City Ballet. She broke conventions and paved the way for many women, particularly artists.

Can you tell us about the act But I’m a Good Girl, which you have been entrusted with in the show The Dubai Edition?

But I’m a Good Girl is the most iconic Crazy Horse Paris act for me. There is so much life and personality in this number! It conveys the energy of a woman who is both playful and commanding, and who knows exactly what she is worth. It is also an act that allows me to showcase both my dance technique and my spontaneous, charming side. It is an absolute delight to perform.