سيرة
Maleni Chaitoo, a native of Chelsea, New York, has long been passionate about the performing arts. Her parents, immigrants from Trinidad and Tobago in the West Indies, introduced her to Indian and British-Caribbean cultures.
At two and a half years old, she became enchanted by a ballet performance at her older sister’s recital. This moment sparked her love for dance, as she found the physical movements and facial expressions similar to signing. Despite her mother’s doubts, due to Maleni’s deafness, she eagerly pursued dance classes. Encouraged by her ballet teacher, who placed her in the front row, Maleni quickly progressed. After several weeks of rehearsal, she performed on stage to enthusiastic applause, much to her mother’s surprise. This marked the start of her lifelong passion for the arts.
By age three, Maleni was actively participating in school theatrical plays and dance performances. She studied tap, modern, and jazz dance at The Hudson Guild Theater Arts After School Program and the National Institute of Dance. At eight, she starred as Dorothy in her school’s production of The Wizard of Oz, followed by the role of Tinkerbell in Peter Pan at nine. At eleven, she wrote and directed her first script, the sixth-grade production Pee Wee Goes to the Head of Class, broadening her involvement in directing, acting, and production.
Her dedication to the arts continued through high school. She spent a summer at Gallaudet University in the Young Scholars Program, studying performing arts and Native American culture. She earned second runner-up and accolades for her talent performance “The Root of Hate Will Melt Away” in the National Association of the Deaf Miss Junior Pageant. In her senior year at Lexington School for the Deaf, she played the lead role of Lucy in the school’s production of The Invisible Friend and received the senior theatre arts award.
In college, Maleni received special recognition for her role as the Minstrel in her university’s production of The Prince and the Pauper, awarded by the theatre arts department. She continued to thrive in performing arts throughout her time at Gallaudet University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration.
Beyond theatre, Maleni has gained experience in business, technology, media, art, and politics. Her diverse background has enhanced her ability to portray various characters and seize numerous rewarding opportunities in the performing arts.
