Carlos Acosta Quesada

Carlos Acosta, born in La Habana in 1973, trained at the National Ballet School of La Habana, Cuba. After winning a succession of awards, including the 1990 Prix De Lausanne, Carlos continued dancing professionally with the most prestigious companies in the world, with his participation in the Royal Ballet of London standing out, this company becoming his home.

Carlos retired from classical ballet in 2016, after 28 years, having performed almost all classical roles from Spartacus to Romeo.

Carlos created many award-winning productions throughout his ballet career, including "Tocororo," and "Carlos Acosta and Friends of the Royal Ballet." He also choreographed Royal Ballet Productions of Don Quixote and Carmen, as well as the latest production of Guys and Dolls for the West End. He has also written two books, which include a work of fiction "Pigs Foot" and his other very honest and sincere autobiography "No Way Home". 'Yuli', which served as the basis for creating a screenplay for a film inspired by his life, which premiered at the San Sebastián, La Habana, and Berlin Film Festivals with great critical success with the London Premiere in April 2019. Carlos was nominated for a Best Supporting Actor award at the 33rd Goya Awards Ceremony held in Sevilla in February 2019.

Carlos's extraordinary contribution to dance continues to this day, he was recognized on the Queen's New Year Honors List in 2014, when he received a CBE. In 2018, Carlos received the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award from the Royal Academy of Dance in recognition of his supreme position.

He is considered one of the most influential figures in current dance. His athleticism, the joy of dancing, and his tremendous ability to convey emotions inspired a generation of dancers worldwide. His moving story and the obstacles he has overcome speak for themselves.

The culture and history of Carlos's homeland have been important influences throughout his career and will continue to be, as he has not only established his own dance company, Acosta Danza in 2016. The company tours the world with its vibrant combination of classical and contemporary ballet, fused with Cuban elements of dance.
In 2017 Carlos opened the Carlos Acosta International Dance Foundation. The Foundation provides young dancers with the same opportunities he himself benefited from by offering a three-year dance training program, free at the time of delivery in an inspiring environment.

Carlos has been named Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet and will begin this role in January 2020. He has been a student of Ramona de Sáa, among other distinguished teachers. In June 1991 he graduated with highest honors and received a gold medal. In 1991 he joined the National Ballet of Cuba, where he reached the category of Principal Dancer in 1994.

He has been part of the cast of the Balelt of Teatro Nuovo in Turin, Italy, where he performed alongside Luciana Savignano; he has also been part of other companies such as the English National Ballet, of England, and the Houston Ballet, of the United States of America. He has also been a guest artist at the Teresa Carreño Theater of Caracas, Venezuela; of the Ballet of Santiago de Chile, as well as the Gala of Stars of World Ballet, presented in the most important theatrical venues in the world. He has performed in numerous countries in Europe, Asia, and America. His repertoire includes the main roles of the great romantic-classical tradition, as well as contemporary choreography, both Cuban and foreign.

He has received important national and international awards, in the Youth Ballet and Dance Competitions of the National Union of Writers and Artists of Cuba (UNEAC), as well as the Grand Prix of Lausana, Switzerland (1990); the Grand Prix of the Biennial of Dance in Paris (1990); the "Vignale Danza" Award, Italy (1990); the Merit Award in the Competition for Young Talents of Positano, Italy (1991); and the Young Artists Award "Princess Grace Foundation," of the United States (1995).

From 1989 to 1991 Carlos performed in various companies including the Compagnia Teatro Nuovo di Torino in Italy, where he danced alongside Luciana Savignano, and the company of the Teresa Carreño Theater of Caracas Venezuela.

By invitation of Ivan Nagy, Carlos danced with the "English National Ballet" in London in the 1991/92 season. Dancing Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor and Cinderella, with Eva Evdokimova and Ludmila Semenyaka, Le Spectre de la Rose, Les Sylphides and as Prince in Ben Stevenson's The Nutcracker.

In 1992 and 1993 he was a member of the National Ballet of Cuba under director Alicia Alonso, being Principal Dancer in 1994. In October 1993 and September 1994 he toured with the company to Madrid, Spain, where he danced the roles of Albrecht in Giselle, Basilio in Don Quixote, and Siegfried in Swan Lake.

He has been a permanent member of The Royal Ballet since 1998 and in 2003 was promoted to principal guest artist, a position that reduced his commitment to The Royal Ballet, allowing him to concentrate on a growing agenda of international guest appearances and tours.

In November 1993 he was invited by Ben Stevenson, artistic director of the Houston Ballet, to be principal dancer, with his debut being the Prince in The Nutcracker. A role which was followed by among others: Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake, Solor in La Bayadère, Basilio in Don Quixote.

In 1998 Carlos danced in The Royal Ballet, Covent Garden, under the direction of Anthony Dowell. Some of the roles he performed were: Jean de Brienne in a Rudolf Nuréyev production of Raymonda Act III, Siegfried in Swan Lake.

He has also ventured into the field of choreography, notably the Ballet Tocororo.

In 2009 he ventured into cinema acting in the film New York, I Love You.

He is currently a guest artist with prestigious companies, such as the Royal Ballet of London, the American Ballet Theater of New York, and the Kirov Ballet, of San Petersburg, among others.

Director in Cuba of the Acosta Dance ballet company.

Appointed as director of Birmingham Royal Ballet as of January 2020, a position he will alternate with the direction of the Cuban company.

Awards
Gold Medal of the Prix de Lausanne (1990),
Grand Prix of the 4th Biennial International Dance Competition of Paris (1990),
Vignale Danza Award in Italy (1990),
Frédéric Chopin Award, awarded by the Polish Artistic Corporation (1990),
Merit Award in the Young Talents Competition, Positano, Italy (1991),
Osimodanza Award, Italy (1991),
Grand Prize by the Union of Writers and Artists (UNEAC) (1991),
Princess Grace Foundation Dance Award, U.S.A. (1995).
Nominated for an Olivier Award in 2004.
Olivier Award in 2006
Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire 2014. Award given by Queen Elizabeth II of England.
Award from the British Critics' Circle for Services to the Arts of 2018