Adriano Popolo Rubbio is an Italian choreographer, dancer, teacher and costume designer active in the field of contemporary dance and performance research. His artistic practice explores the body, memory, gesture and relationship, developing an intense physical language that brings together choreographic composition, theatricality and visual sensitivity.

Since 2020, he has been a permanent member of Komoco as a dancer, choreographic assistant and rehearsal director, taking part in international productions including Wabi-Sabi, Dodi, IMA, PUPO and The Fridas. Previously, he was a dancer with Compagnia Zappalà Danza from 2015 to 2021, taking part in the company’s main repertory productions and collaborating as an assistant during workshops and international projects.

After years of experience as a performer and experimentation in horeography, in 2025 he began an authorial research path, developing his own choreographic practice and personal investigation into contemporary creation. He began with the creation of Luminária (2025), created for the dancers of Anton Bruckner University in Linz and presented at Posthof Linz in February of the same year.

In 2025, he began the creation of Amáru_o sulla nostalgia, a choreographic project dedicated to nostalgia as an emotional, physical and collective trace. The first study of the work received the support of Fortezza Est and Fondazione Yana Cini, was selected for the ISOLE corner of Teatri Riflessi, and won the 2025 Pillole Award as part of Tutto in una Pillola 12 Minuti. The project was also presented at Carrozzerie n.o.t in collaboration with ATCL Lazio. The second version of Amáru premiered in May 2026 as part of Fortezza Est’s PoETICA season.

The project continues its artistic and educational journey with the aim of creating spaces for encounter, exchange and reflection around the idea of “tracing nostalgia”. He continues this research in 2026 following a commission from Artfest Festival (artistic directors Michele Merola and Carmen Vella), where he created Studio sul desiderio di tornare, a site-specific project for the young dancers of the festival.

Alongside his performance work, Adriano Popolo Rubbio teaches workshops, classes and laboratories in Italy and abroad, collaborating with numerous international institutions and festivals, including Scenario Pubblico, MilanOltre, Danspunt Festival, Elephant in the Black Box, Henny Jurriëns Studio and others. In 2022 and 2025, he was invited as a teacher and choreographer at NYU Tisch School of the Arts in New York.

A multidisciplinary artist, Adriano is also a costume designer. He graduated from Accademia del Lusso in Rome and has collaborated and continues to collaborate with organisations and companies including Nederlands Dans Theater, Ballet BC Vancouver, Komoco, Ocram Dance Movement and others, moving across the fields of dance, theatre, fashion and film.