Godreau, Miguel, 1946-1996

Miguel Godreau (1946-1996) is best known for his work as a lead dancer and teacher at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, a modern dance company based in New York City. Though born in Puerto Rico, Godreau grew up in New York City. He started appearing in musical theater while he was still in high school. Godreau joined the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre in 1965 and performed with the group intermittently through the early 1970s. He also formed his own dance company in the late 1960s.

During his career, Godreau danced on Broadway and in London and Sweden, and also appeared in film and television. He danced the lead role of Hector Hippolyte in Geoffrey Holder's Prodigal Prince (1967), a role created for Godreau. Godreau's other dance credits include Flower Drum Song (1964), Dear World (1969), Ballets, Ballads, the Blues, and the Bible (1982), and the role of Munshi in the original 1978 Broadway production of Timbaktu!, a show for which he also worked as assistant choreographer. On film and television, Godreau danced in Billie (1965), Swashbuckler (1976), and Altered States (1981), and also appeared as "The Sheik" in For Ladies Only (1981). Additionally, Godreau worked as a choreographer, with his credits including 1979's On the Road to Babylon and Sancocho. Godreau also directed the 1986 Off Off Broadway musical De Obeah Mon.

Godreau died of AIDS in 1996 at age 49.

From the guide to the Miguel Godreau papers, 1964-1987, (The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.)