Arthur Pita is Portuguese and was born in South Africa and studied dance in Johannesburg. He came to London in 1991 where he trained at London Contemporary Dance School, gaining a masters degree. Arthur was a member of Adventures in Motion Pictures from 1997-2003 and performed principal roles in Cinderella, The Car Man, Nutcracker, Swan Lake and Spitfire. Arthur has choreographed work for Johannesburg Dance Umbrella, Resolution! and Spring Loaded at The Place, the Royal National Theatre (Mappa Mundi) and Almeida Theatre (Caledonian Road). Arthur was an Associate Artist at The Place from 2002-2004 and it was there in 2003 that he launched Arthur Pita Open Heart with the double bill BoomShe SheBoom and Bugger, A Fairy Tale. In 2004 he choreographed La Boheme directed by Francesca Zambello at the Royal Albert Hall, Idomeneo with Placido Domingo for Los Angeles, Frankenstein for Derby Playhouse and presented the premiere of Camp at The Place. In 2005 he choreographed a new production of LaForza del Destino for the Lithuanian State Opera. With Arthur Pita Open Heart he presented a three-week run of Camp at The Place, before a tour of the UK. As well as the commission for Phoenix to be premiered in March 2006, he will also choreograph the new opera production of Carmen for the Royal Opera House. www.arthurpita.com