Samir Calixto

Samir Calixto was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 1978.
Before embracing the dance career he followed other paths on performing arts. At the early age of 14 he was already involved with theatre groups as a performer, touring around his country, while his interest in other art fields grew due his contact with inspiring figures crossing his way. At the age of 17 he got his professional status as an actor. In a later stage, on the search for a deeper understand of his skills, he received his education in different art disciplines. These studies included drama at EAD (Dramatic Art School) at São Paulo University and classical singing at the Conservatory of São Paulo City. In the dance field, he gained much of his education as an autodidact, exploring different techniques in smaller studios around, supported by many great artists along his way. In 1999 he won the first prize at Nascente/ Abril Festival with the dance solo Eros.
Moving to Europe in 2004, Samir made the definitive switch to the dance career, getting in touch with the rich Dutch as well as European dance scene, meeting important figures who would be decisive on his future steps. Establishing then his freelancing status as a dancer, he had in 2005 his solo “Wash Me Up” placed as a finalist at the Best Dance Solo Competition in Leipzig (coordinated by Alain Platel). Since then Samir has worked in productions by Korzo Theatre, Danswerkplaats Amsterdam and others as a freelancer. Among the choreographers he has worked with are Jerome Meyer and Isabelle Chaffaud, Gabriella Maiorino, Amos Ben-Tal, Ederson Rodrigues Xavier, Karine Guizzo, Neel Veerdorn, François Chirpaz and Kristen Cere, and others. In parallel to his works as a dancer, Samir has been dedicated to develop his own works, between them ‘Grondzaken’ (2007), in collaboration with the visual artist Wilma Marijnissen, ‘Beating Hollow’ (2009) - performance nominated for the Jur Naessens Prijs - and Névé (Winterreise- Part 1) for Korzo Productions –. His latest tour experiences include performances in festivals and theatres in Holland, Italy, France, Spain, Germany and Norway.