Fellowship dates: from 5-16 January & 2-13 february
Rigo Saura is an internationally recognized Cuban-born dancer, choreographer, and educator with a distinguished career in contemporary dance. After training at the National School of Modern and Contemporary Dance in Havana and performing as a soloist with Danza Contemporánea de Cuba and the National Ballet of Ecuador, Rigo developed a rich artistic practice spanning performance, creation, and teaching. In 2025, Rigo Saura was awarded the prestigious Carlos Acosta Choreographic Fellowship by the Acosta Dance Foundation, an international programme that provides emerging choreographers with mentorship, funding, and opportunities for creative development. This fellowship not only recognises Rigo’s growing impact as a creator in contemporary dance but also allows him to bring his artistic vision and professional experience directly to students at the Acosta Advanced Training Hub, enriching their training and inspiring the next generation of dancers.
About his dance piece concept: Festo is an expressive exploration that embraces contradictions like celebration and difficulty, fostering resilience. It combines elements of Surrealism, Baroque excess, and cultural authenticity, shaped by individuals in constrained environments, expanding both their physical and inner landscapes.
What Rigo Has to Say: “When I received the news of being accepted as a winner of the choreographic fellowship, I feel very honored and a huge responsibility that comes with it.” “The creation process with the dancers is being very rich, spontaneous, and dynamic. I really enjoy every time like they came with new ideas and they try to fulfill my expectations and also the work expectations.” “My time at Acosta Dance Foundation is being amazing. I’ve been feeling very welcoming, very warm, very joyful. And I feel very, very grateful to spend time here.”
