Rishi Sharma

🪔 About

Rishi Sharma is a multifaceted Indian classical dance figure, contemporary performer, choreographer, actor, filmmaker, and educator, recognized for his innovative approach to movement and storytelling. He received rigorous training in Mayurbhanj Chhau, a centuries-old Indian martial dance form, for over twelve years, which forms the foundation of his practice. Additionally, he trained in contemporary dance under Santosh Nair, jazz and contemporary at Danceworx under Ashley Lobo, and ballet at Imperial Fernando Ballet Company. Sharma gained national recognition as a Top 12 finalist on "So You Think You Can Dance India" and performed with the Brahmaputras on "India's Got Talent." His career in India saw him working extensively in the entertainment industry, including assisting leading choreographers like Vaibhavi Merchant, Ganesh Hegde, and Shakti Mohan on major Bollywood productions such as "Shamshera," "Prithviraj," "The Archies," and "Bunty Aur Babli 2." He has also trained renowned actors for films and reality shows. As a senior company artist at Sadhya and a faculty member at Shriram Bhartiya Kala Kendra, he played a pivotal role in training underprivileged children. Sharma is the Artistic Director of CentreStage Dance Company, where he bridges tradition and experimentation. He is currently pursuing a dual MFA in Choreography and Film/Video at the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in Los Angeles, where he also teaches contemporary dance and his self-developed movement training system, "Flow & Fortitude." His dance thesis, "KATHA: The Charioteer's Code," is a trilingual dance-theatre work rooted in Indian epic narratives. Sharma's international performances include appearances in the USA, Canada, Hong Kong, Brazil, and Peru. Awards & Honours: Top 12 Finalist.