Raiz

The roots of Samir Calixto

In this intimate solo, one of the Netherlands’ leading independent choreographers shares his work in full glory. Full because it showcases his Brazilian raiz, or ‘roots’, more deliberately than ever before. Samir digs deep into his childhood, uncovering the Afro-Brazilian rituals he witnessed, ceremonies meant to reconnect people with their deepest origins. The richness of the rhythms and sounds shaped him as an artist and help him blossom as an artist on stage in RAIZ. 

More about Samir 

Born in São Paulo, Samir Calixto started his artistic career as an actor and theatre performer before gradually shifting his focus to dance. He studied drama and classical singing while developing his dance practice largely as a self-taught artist – earning him early recognition. Since moving to Europe in 2004, he has immersed himself in the Dutch and European dance scene, establishing himself as a freelancer and creative maker. He made a name for himself with productions at Korzo Theater and Danswerkplaats Amsterdam and gained wider acclaim with his own works, including Grondzaken and Beating Hollow. As house choreographer for Korzo Productions, he reached a wide audience with pieces such as Winterreise Tetralogy and 4 Seasons, earning him a nomination for the prestigious Zwaan Award. 

Today, he is recognised as one of the leading independent choreographers in the Netherlands. His body of work includes award-winning and internationally performed productions such as Paradise Lost, Summa, Die Schöne Müllerin, W, and IN FUGA I. In 2021, he co-founded Matter Affects with Stacz Wihelm, an initiative dedicated to developing dance in Overijssel and fostering international partnerships. It has resulted in productions such as Dido, Aeneas Us & All and La Noche Eterna, and his solo performance RAIZ (2025). Samir’s work is performed worldwide at festivals and stages across Europe, Asia, and Africa, captivating audiences with his distinctive and multidisciplinary approach to dance.