Damiano Ottavio Bigi

Born in Rome, Italy, Damiano Ottavio Bigi is a choreographer, dancer and performer whose artistic journey spans classical ballet, contemporary dance, dance theatre and interdisciplinary performance. He began his career at the Opera of Rome before collaborating with several French contemporary dance companies, including the CCN de Nantes under the direction of Claude Brumachon, and with Greek director and choreographer Dimitris Papaioannou.
In 2005, he joined Tanztheater Wuppertal under the direction of Pina Bausch, becoming a member of the company and performing an extensive repertoire while participating in new creations. In 2010, he took part in Wim Wenders’ film Pina. His long-standing relationship with the work of Pina Bausch continues through his collaboration with the Pina Bausch Foundation as a rehearsal director.
Throughout his career, encounters with diverse artistic languages and creative processes have shaped his approach to movement, composition and performance, informing both his choreographic research and his pedagogical practice. His choreographic works include the solo Ciudadela, presented internationally, and Signs, created for the Teatro Massimo in Palermo. He also curated the movement for Parlami Terra, winner of In Viva Voce / Teatro Ragazzi, and for Sophocles’ Oedipus at Colonus, directed by Giorgios Skevas and presented at the Athens Epidaurus Festival in 2023.
In 2016, he received the Premio Capri Danza International, followed in 2020 by the Premio Sfera d’Oro per la Danza.
In 2020, Damiano Ottavio Bigi co-founded Bigi Paoletti / Fritz Company with Alessandra Paoletti, actress, author and director working across dance theatre and contemporary dance. Their artistic collaboration began in 2013 working for the Istanbul Municipal Theatre.
Through the company, Bigi develops a shared artistic practice that brings together creation, research, pedagogy and site-specific projects, in dialogue with artists from diverse cultural and geographical backgrounds. The company's work explores the intersections of dance, theatre and visual arts, investigating compositional, dramaturgical and kinaesthetic structures, often inspired by scientific principles.

(Information as of November 2026)