Ricardo Viviani

Choreographer, Oral Historian, Researcher

Ricardo Viviani is an experienced dancer, choreographer from São Paulo, Brazil. He began his dance studies at the Ballet Stagium in São Paulo, before moving to New York to attend the Joffrey Ballet School. He then returned to Brazil to study Theater Direction at the Universidade de São Paulo and later, Cultural Sciences at Fernuniversität in Hagen, Germany. He worked as a dancer for the Balé da Cidade de São Paulo, Grupo de Dança Cisne Negro and the National Theater of Germany in Weimar. He also performed as an actor in musicals in productions such as “A Chorus Line” in Brazil and on Broadway.

Ricardo has also established a successful career as a choreographer in the independent scene, as well as in contemporary opera and musicals. As a choreographer, Ricardo is known for his creativity and ability to create dynamic and engaging performances that connect with the audience on a deep level. He understands the importance of clarity and eloquence in the transformation of ideas into action and works closely with artists to help them reach their audiences in the most effective way possible. He has a deep understanding of the art of composition passed down from great masters like Rolf Gelewski and Bessie Schoenberg, and is able to create visually impactful and emotionally powerful pieces.

Ricardo Viviani is also a highly skilled educator, with deep knowledge of the creative process and the ability to transform ideas into theatrical events. He possesses the skills necessary to turn raw ideas into fully realized performances. He has taught modern dance technique and choreography at the State University of New York, Dutchess College in Poughkeepsie and at Folkwang University for the Arts. His understanding of the creative process is further highlighted by his work as a researcher and oral historian at the Pina Bausch Foundation, where he has the opportunity to document and analyze the work of other renowned choreographers and dancers. He brings this wealth of knowledge and experience to his work as an educator, helping students develop their own unique perspectives and find their place in the world of dance and theater. In addition, Ricardo is a sought-after speaker and has presented lectures and workshops on choreography, composition and the creative process at various universities and cultural institutions. His work is widely recognized as a valuable contribution to the dance and theater world and continues to inspire the next generation of dancers and choreographers.

About

Recent Lectures, Research and Publications:

    • Oral History for Dance Heritage
      Intensive Workshop in the National Art Museum of Ukraine implemented by Impulse Transformation Platform – Viktor Ruban and supported by Goethe Institut Ukraine
      Kyiv, Ukraine – 01.-06. December 2025
    • A Oralidade na Dança
      Workshop at SPED São Paulo Escola de Dança
      São Paulo, Brazil – 07.-28. October 2023
    • Tracking the History
      Presentation at IETM Belgrade Plenary Meeting 2022
      “WORK HARD, LIVE HARDER!“
      Belgrade, Serbia – 29. September -02.1 October 2022
    • Dancer Knowledge Management
      Presentation of an ontology for Oral History documents
      Produire la mémoire en danse :
      histoire orale et mnémotechniques
      Université Côte d’Azur Nice – November 2021
    • Stories that Matter
      Online presentation at Roundtable on epics, performance and dance
      Harvard University CHS Athens – April 2021
    • Finding Your Own Voice
      Semester Seminar Folkwang Universität der Künste – OH Juan Allende-Blin and Activating the archive „Euphorie und Aufbruch“ –
      Essen-Werden, Germany Winter Semester 2020/21
    • Euphorie und Aufbruch
      Historisation Project NRW 1959-1969
      www.euphorie-und-aufbruch.de Germany – 2020/21
    • Common Dance, Uncommon Stories
      Presentation of Oral History epistemology for dance in Dancing in Common
      Northwestern University Evanston, Illinois US – August 2019
    • The Material and Immaterial of the Archive
      Presentation in “The Whole Life: Archives and Reality” – Pina Bausch Foundation / Haus der Kulturen der Welt https://www.hkw.de/de/app/mediathek/video/75958
      Dresden – May 2019.
    • Documentary Film „Pina and New York“
      Writer and Researcher – An Oral History; Documentary in association with cable channel Arte1 (Brasil) in a collaboration between the Pina Bausch Foundation and Producing Partners NYC for the series „Geografia da Arte“
      Chicago, New York, Wuppertal, Essen, Brasil – 2017

 

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