Carlos Acosta

Carlos Acosta achieved early international acclaim, earning the Gold Medal at the prestigious Prix de Lausanne in 1990 and the Grand Prix at the 4th biennial Concours International de Danse de Paris in the same year. After receiving his diploma with maximum qualifications and a gold medal from the Cuban National Ballet School in June 1991, Acosta began touring globally with various companies. He joined the English National Ballet for the 1991/92 season, making his debut in the ‘Polovtsian Dances’. From 1992 to 1994, he served as a member and then a principal dancer with the National Ballet of Cuba, before joining the Houston Ballet as a principal dancer in November 1993, where he performed lead roles in productions such as ‘The Nutcracker’ and ‘Swan Lake’.

In a significant career evolution, Acosta was appointed Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet in January 2020. As Director, he has revitalized the company’s repertoire and public engagement, initiating new productions and collaborations, including the widely praised ‘Curated by Carlos’ festival. In 2021, he premiered the evocative film ‘Empty Stage’ with BRB, featuring an original score by Benjamin Scheuer, further demonstrating his innovative artistic vision. Acosta continues to lead Birmingham Royal Ballet, driving its artistic direction and fostering its position as a leading international ballet company.