This international creator started his training at the Institut del Teatre in Barcelona and P.A.R.T.S. in Brussels. The Belgian capital was the key point in the strengthening of his artistic career. He took his first steps as a professional dancer at Rosas dance company, directed by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. He also performed under the direction of renowned directors such as Robert Wilson, Tom Jansen and Josse de Pauw.
Currently, Roberto is the director of the dance company R.O.P.A. – Roberto Olivan Performing Arts. The company was created in Brussels in 2001. He also is the artistic director and founder of the Festival Deltebre Dansa, an international event that has taken place annually since 2004.
Olivan creates commissioned works for dance companies, universities, dance institutions and schools all over the world. His career has been very versatile. In recent years, he has been teaching at workshops around the world and has worked as a choreographer and performer in the film industry.
He has been the artistic director of important cultural events and on the jury at dance competitions. Olivan has also participated in dance sectoral meetings held by the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Catalonia and he is a member of the Advisory Council for Culture in Terres de l’Ebre region, also overseen by the Ministry of Culture of the Government of Catalonia.
His career has been recognised all over the world. He has received the following awards: Premi Nacional de Cultura 2014 (Catalonia, Spain), Ciutat de Barcelona 2013 (Catalonia, Spain), Sebastià Gasch FAD Awards Of Paratheatrical Arts 2012 (Catalonia, Spain), Prix SACD de la Création Chorégraphique 2001 from the Société des Auteurs et Compositeurs Dramatiques (Belgium) as well as several other prize nominations.