Carlos Acosta

What Carlos Acosta does

Carlos Acosta is a Cuban dancer, choreographer, artistic director, author, and actor operating as a personal brand with commercial, creative, and philanthropic activities spanning live performance, film, publishing, and dance education. The brand is commercially anchored by Pines Art Productions (UK) Limited, a UK private limited company, and encompasses Acosta Danza (a Havana-based dance company founded 2016 combining classical and contemporary genres with Cuban influences), the Carlos Acosta International Dance Foundation and the Acosta Danza Academy (a three-year training program in Havana opened September 2017), and Carlos's directorship of Birmingham Royal Ballet, effective January 2020. Core artistic products include touring productions such as 100% Cuban, Tocororo, Curated By Carlos, and the new Nutcracker in Havana (debuting 2024/2025), as well as his autobiography No Way Home and debut novel Pig's Foot (Bloomsbury/HarperCollins), and the biographical film Yuli (distributed via BFI and BBC Two).

The business operates a B2B2C model with diversified revenue streams: live performance ticket sales via tier-1 UK venues (Royal Opera House, Sadler's Wells, Royal Albert Hall, Birmingham Hippodrome) and international touring across 19+ countries; consumer merchandise (T-shirts, caps, tote bags, programmes) priced in GBP through an online shop; book royalties via Amazon and Waterstones; film/media royalties on Yuli; and speaking engagements. Distribution leverages theater partnerships, PR and earned media, broadcast (BBC Two), streaming (BFI), social media, and email newsletters. Customer segments are concentrated in ballet and dance enthusiasts as primary, with digital audiences and philanthropy/education as secondary segments.

There is no proprietary technology, no software platform, and no AI/ML component to the business; the underlying capability is human artistic talent, choreographic IP, and a multi-decade personal brand. The company is privately held, privately funded, with no external investors and no disclosed revenue. Owner-operator Carlos Acosta retains full creative and operational control across all sub-brands headquartered in Havana, London, and Birmingham.

Name

Carlos Acosta

Legal name

Pines Art Productions (UK) Limited

Website

https://carlosacosta.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1973

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Carlos Acosta is a Cuban-born dancer, choreographer, and artistic director operating a personal brand spanning Acosta Danza (Havana-based dance company), Birmingham Royal Ballet directorship, published books, film (Yuli), merchandise, and a dance foundation and academy. The brand serves global ballet and dance audiences through live touring, streaming, publishing, and conservatory training.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts / Ballet and Dance Services

NAICS

Dance Companies (711120), Dance Companies (71112), Agents and Managers for Artists, Athletes, Entertainers, and Other Public Figures (7114)

akta.pro primary industry

Classical Ballet (Full-Length & Repertoire) (MPAGADAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Contemporary & Modern Dance (MPAGADAB), Dance Performances (THAJAFAD), Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH)

Keywords

• Ballet performances
• Contemporary dance
• Live dance tours
• Ballet education
• Autobiographical publications

Headquarters

HQ city

Havana

HQ country

Cuba

HQ region

Latin America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Live Performance and Touring: Revenue from live ballet performances through ticket sales at venues including Royal Opera House, Sadler's Wells, Birmingham Hippodrome, and international touring to cities across UK, Europe, Asia, and the Americas
2. Merchandise Sales: Online shop selling branded merchandise including T-shirts (£15), baseball caps (£10), tote bags, posters, and programmes
3. Book Sales: Sales of published works including autobiography 'No Way Home' and debut novel 'Pig's Foot' through retailers like Amazon and Waterstones
4. Film Distribution: Film 'Yuli: A Carlos Acosta Story' available on BFI streaming platform and BBC Two broadcast
5. Speaking Engagements: Carlos conducts talks and speaking engagements such as '60 Minutes With Carlos Acosta' at venues like China Exchange

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Carlos Acosta is a Cuban dancer, choreographer, artistic director, author and actor who sells live classical and contemporary ballet performances through his dance company Acosta Danza and as Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet. He also sells autobiographical and fiction books (No Way Home, Pig's Foot), the biographical film Yuli, branded merchandise (T-shirts, caps, tote bags, programmes), speaking engagements, and operates a charitable foundation and dance academy (Acosta Danza Academy) in Havana.

Product overview

Carlos Acosta is a Cuban dancer, choreographer, artistic director, author, and actor. His professional offerings consist of multiple artistic ventures including his own dance company Acosta Danza (founded 2016), his role as Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet (from 2020), authored books ('Pig's Foot' and 'No Way Home'), the biographical film 'Yuli', classical dance performances, merchandise, and the Carlos Acosta International Dance Foundation with its Academy. This is not a unified tech product but rather a portfolio of personal artistic brands, performances, and educational initiatives.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Acosta Danza A dance company founded by Carlos Acosta in Havana in 2016, producing performances that combine classical and contemporary dance genres with Cuban musical and dance influences. The company tours internationally across the UK, US, Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
• Birmingham Royal Ballet Directorship The Birmingham Royal Ballet is the UK's leading classical ballet company, of which Carlos Acosta serves as Director from January 2020, overseeing programming, new works (including Curated By Carlos triple bill), and digital initiatives.
• No Way Home: A Cuban Dancer's Story Carlos Acosta's autobiography published by HarperCollins UK and Scribner US, documenting his journey from poverty in Havana to international dance stardom. Available through retailers such as Amazon and Waterstones.
• Pig's Foot

Quantifiable outcome

• Sell-out performances at Royal Albert Hall (2016) and Sadler's Wells (Tocororo)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered major, minor and core.

• Nutcracker in Havana Production PartnersmajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024New production bringing Nutcracker to Havana with Acosta Danza. Combines Cuban culture with traditional ballet. Debut tour 2024/2025 across UK venues including Southbank Centre London, Norwich Theatre Royal, and others.
• ImpermanenceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Association with Impermanence for digital film project Empty Stage, Birmingham Royal Ballet's first major digital commission during pandemic.
• Birmingham Royal BalletcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Carlos Acosta appointed as Director of Birmingham Royal Ballet from January 2020. He leads the company in building on classical traditions while expanding repertoire, reaching new audiences, and embracing digital advances. The partnership includes triple-bill programming like Curated By Carlos and new commissions.
• Birmingham Repertory TheatremajorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Partnership for productions including Curated By Carlos triple bill and Lazuli Sky, the only large-scale ballet commissioned during the pandemic. Co-produced digital streaming of performances.
• Carlos Acosta International Dance FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017Foundation inspired by Carlos's journey from disadvantaged Havana neighbourhood to international stardom. Provides opportunities for talented young people to follow their dreams. Connected to Acosta Danza Academy opened September 2017.
• Acosta DanzacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Carlos's own dance company created in Havana to develop young Cuban dance talent. The company combines classical and contemporary genres with Cuban influences. First performance was at Gran Teatro de la Habana Alicia Alonso in April 2016.
• Yuli Film ProductionmajorOthers · 1 January 2015Film based on Carlos's autobiography 'No Way Home', directed by Iciar Bollain and written by Paul Laverty (I, Daniel Blake). Released April 2019.
• Valid Worldwide LimitedcoreOthersProfessional management company representing Carlos Acosta. Manager Rupert Rohan handles professional enquiries at Aberdeen House, South Road, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, RH16 4NG, UK.
• BBC TwomajorGTM or Marketing PartnerBroadcast partner for Yuli film television premiere.
• BFI (British Film Institute)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerStreaming platform partner for Yuli film distribution.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• English National Ballet: English National Ballet is the UK's other major classical ballet company where Carlos was once the youngest principal dancer; it competes for the same touring audiences, venues (e.g., Sadler's Wells, Mayflower), and arts council funding as Acosta Danza and Birmingham Royal Ballet.
• Houston Ballet: Houston Ballet is one of Carlos's former principal companies and a leading US classical ballet institution; it competes for international guest dancers, choreographers, and touring revenue in the same global classical ballet market.
• Paris Opera Ballet: Paris Opera Ballet is one of the oldest and most prestigious classical ballet companies globally; it competes with Acosta Danza in the international touring circuit and for elite dancer and choreographer talent.
• Bolshoi Ballet: The Bolshoi Ballet is one of the world's preeminent classical ballet companies and the venue where Carlos won his Benois de la Danse for Spartacus; it competes for prestige commissions, international tours, and elite dancer talent at the top of the global classical ballet market.
• San Francisco Ballet: San Francisco Ballet is America's oldest professional ballet company and a leading international touring ensemble; it is comparable to Acosta Danza as a mid-sized independent classical ballet company with strong repertoire and international reach.
• Royal Ballet: The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House is Carlos's former principal company and the UK's flagship classical ballet institution; it remains a direct peer in repertoire, audience, and venue competition, and the Royal Opera House is also a Carlos Acosta performance venue.
• New York City Ballet: New York City Ballet is one of the most prestigious ballet companies in the world and a benchmark for international touring, repertoire development, and brand-led programming — directly comparable to Carlos Acosta's portfolio ambition as Director of BRB.
• Cuban National Ballet: Cuban National Ballet (Ballet Nacional de Cuba) is Cuba's flagship classical ballet company founded by Alicia Alonso; it is the most direct peer to Acosta Danza in terms of Cuban repertoire, dancer training pipeline, and Havana-based identity.

Emerging players

• Rambert Dance Company: Rambert is the UK's leading contemporary dance company; it overlaps with Acosta Danza's contemporary repertoire work and shares the UK touring and Sadler's Wells performance circuit, though it is positioned as a contemporary-focused peer rather than classical.
• National Dance Company Wales: National Dance Company Wales is a publicly funded UK dance company that shares touring venues, festival appearances, and contemporary-classical crossover programming with Acosta Danza, making it a comparable independent UK dance company at smaller scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/carlos-acosta

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Carlos Acosta