Agudo Dance Company
Agudo Dance Company, was founded by Artistic Director – Jose Agudo and Creative Producer – Claire Cunningham. With over 40 years combined experience working in the dance sector, the company create ambitious, evocative and thought-provoking dance productions for the international stage. Our vision is to take people on a journey through the senses. We invite spectators and participants alike to be moved in every sense – physical, emotional, and cerebral. In choreography and performance, we connect people to the cathartic experience of dance, where creativity, good health and wellness are the essence of being alive.
The inaugural production ‘Silk Road‘ was inspired by the people, dances and rituals along the nomadic silk routes from China to the Iberian Peninsular, and it has toured with live music since 2017 to critical acclaim. In 2019, the company created and performed the opening ceremony for the Davis Cup tennis championships in Madrid, which was televised worldwide.
The company has recently created a stunning new production of Prosper Merimee’s classic novella – Carmen, with an incredible cast of 7 dancers, which will tour from summer 2021.
Jose is touring internationally with his solo Hero since and in 2025 will embark in a new creation of Don Quixote in collaboration with G5A.
Jose Agudo
Jose started his career in Andalusia where he began performing as a Flamenco dancer. Slowly the world of contemporary dance became more visible as he worked throughout Europe performing with Metros, Charleroi/Danses, Ballet de Marseille, T.R.A.S.H, Shobana Jeyasingh Dance and Akram Khan Company.
As assistant choreographer and rehearsal director. Jose has worked on several creations for Akram Khan Company from 2010 to 2017. Including the Olympics 2012 Opening Ceremony.
In 2010, Jose started to study Kathak under Akram’s guidance. Finding many parallels between this training and his early studies of Flamenco, Jose reconnected with his roots and began to explore traditional forms in a contemporary context. As a result, he created Agudo Dance Company in 2017. Creating Silk Road, which has toured in 6 countries to date, Carmen that tour in UK and France and Hero that it’s touring world wise.
Jose’s independent choreographic commissions include Phoenix Dance Theatre, Norrdans, ZfinMalta National Dance Company, Cape Dance Company, ACE Dance and Music, Rambert School of Ballet and Contemporary Dance, English National Ballet School, BODHI Project SEAD, The Place, London Studio Centre, Area Jeune Ballet, Festival International de Musica y Danza de Granada, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, MAP University of Chichester and collaborations with London Mozart Players and Subrang Arts.
Since 2019 Jose has embarked in a new adventure diving into the world of the musical theatre, publicity and commercial. First as an Associate Choreographer for Cabaret at the Kit Kat club. Then choreographing the flamenco scene and performing as the character of Rico at Strictly Ballroom the musical by Baz Luhrmann in the UK and in Denmark.
Jose choreographed and performed at the Opening Ceremony of the Davis Cup 2019 by Rakuten in Madrid. And he was part of the Madrid Tourism Publicity Campaign during 2024.
His last collaboration during 2024 was as Assistance Director and Movement Director in the immersive physical theatre experience ‘Journey of a Refugee’. Directed by Sue Buckmaster and produce by Theatre Rites and Agudo Dance Company.
He is a guest choreographer, teacher and lecturer in many of the leading dance institutions around the world. Bringing Indian and flamenco art into a contemporary context. Jose is a Yoga Teacher by Yoga Alliances and he hold a Distinction Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Dance by Kent University.
He is listed in the new edition of 50 Contemporary Choreographers, an international publication by Routledge.
During 2025 Jose will be in residency at the G5A in Mumbai creating a new solo base in the story of ‘Don Quixote’
To read more about Jose’s work please click here.
Claire Cunningham
Claire started her career as dancer, touring and performing with Wayne McGregor:Random Dance, Rui Horta, Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Theatre Rites and Charles Linehan. She was also rehearsal director for McGregor, Cherkaoui, Clod Ensemble, Shobana Jeyasingh, Enrique Cabrera and Hélène Blackburn.
Claire has made a significant contribution to health and well-being for dancers, writing and leading the Yoga for Dancers module at London Contemporary Dance School, teaching company classes and working with young dancers at The Prix de Lausanne.
Since leaving the stage, Claire trained in cultural leadership and creative producing. In 2015, she produced the award-winning and much-loved family work, Chotto Desh for Akram Khan Company. Her passion for producing works for young and family audiences has lead to several creations and one year at Sadler’s Wells Theatre as a Young Audience Programme Consultant.
In 2017, Claire established Agudo Dance Company with Artistic Director/Choreographer Jose Agudo, to produce the company’s first two works. Firstly, Silk Road, which was warmly received by critics and audiences alike in 6 countries, and most recently a stunning adaptation of Carmen.
