Carlos García Estévez (Spain) is the founder and artistic director of the International Laboratory for Theatre Research, Manifesto Poetico. He is an actor, pedagogue, stage director, and researcher with a professional trajectory spanning over 25 years, having performed, and directed in more than 20 countries and over 45 universities across Europe, the Americas, Africa, and Asia.

Over the years, Carlos has developed a distinctive theatrical language that integrates visual, physical, and spatial expression. His work is recognized internationally in Contemporary Commedia dell’Arte, Theatre of Gesture, spatial composition, and the creation of new theatrical languages. Inspired by masters such as Dario Fo, from whom he inherited the spirit of popular theatre, Carlos reinvents traditional theatre forms to create contemporary, interdisciplinary productions and devised theatre that resonates with today’s audiences.

His work moves along the boundaries between the visible and the invisible, the rational and the intuitive, the individual and the collective. His artistic-anthropological approach explores the symbolic, the oneiric, and the unconscious through TransPoetico Productions—works that transcend the literal and open pathways to new ways of thinking, experiencing, responding and relating. He co-creates scenic languages with and for the artistic community and its audiences.

Among his extensive research and pedagogical laboratories are: Spatial Dramaturgy: Theatrical Language; MaskPoetica: Contemporary Commedia dell’Arte; Architecture of Gestures; Bouffon: At the Threshold of Consciousness; Contemporary Tragedy: In Search of Balance – In Search of Unity; and The Space of Comedy.

For nearly two decades, Carlos has toured internationally with his solo mask performance, Solo dell’Arte, appearing in countries including Spain, France, The Netherlands, Argentina, Ecuador, Romania, Austria, Italy, Turkey, Germany, Cuba, Cyprus, Greece, Mexico, the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada.

Recent major works directed and co-directed by Carlos include Nama Kamu Atas Perahu (Kuala Lumpur, 2013), Tito’s Dream (USA, 2014), Bogota In Action (Bogotá, 2015), New York Lands (New York, 2016), Klassiek van de Toekomst (Haarlem, Netherlands, 2017), Hann: Voices of a Bay (Dakar, Senegal, 2018), PULSE (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 2018), The Gate of Hope (Guadalajara, Mexico, 2019), BELFAST 1919 (Belfast, NI, 2019), In The Name Of Humanity (Wiikwemkoong, Canada, 2021), If I Listened… (Wiikwemkoong, Canada, 2022), FIDO (Malta, 2023), DIOSA (Dallas, 2024) Territorios en Guerra (Guadalajara, Mexico, 2024), Sally DeLux (SP, MX, USA, 2025).

Carlos has performed with renowned artists including Simon McBurney – Complicite in A Dog’s Heart and The Magic Flute, and with Peter Sellars in Girls of the Golden West. He also works as a movement director for opera at the Dutch National Opera Academy (DNO) and Hollands Diep Muziektheater.

He trained with Jacques Lecoq for three years at the École Internationale de Théâtre and the Laboratory for the Study of Movement (LEM), where he was, over a decade, an associate artist and a co-contributor to the laboratory’s pioneering research—most notably through his spatial research The Elastics: An Ecosystem of Structures. 

Carlos continues to teach, perform and direct in English, French, Italian, and Spanish, maintaining a creative process rooted in introspective, critical, and humanistic research that challenges and invites reflection from audiences and collaborators alike.

Carlos’s work thrives in a continuous dialogue with artistic communities worldwide, embracing collaboration and co-creation to expand theatrical expression and experience.

ACTOR & THEATRE DIRECTOR

Manifesto Poetico Productions

2025 - Sally DeLux (director) Spain, Mexico and USA

2025 - Territorios en Guerra (director) Guadalajara, Mexico

2024 - DIOSA (co-director) Dallas

2023 - FIDO (co-director) Malta

2022 - If I Listened… (co-director) Canada

2021 - In The Name Of Humanity (co-director) Canada

2020 - That’s Life & Miquel Barceló (co-director) Galway, Ireland

2019 - BELFAST 1919 (co-director) Belfast, Northern Ireland

2019 - THE GATE OF HOPE (co-director) Guadalajara, Mexico

2018 - PULSE (director) Kuala Lumpur

2018 - Hann: Voices of a Bay (director) Senegal

2017 - Klassiek van de Toekomst (director) NL

2017 - Good Boy (director) Cyprus

2016 - New York Lands (writer and director) New York (USA)

2015 - Bogota In Action (co - director) Bogota (CO)

2014 - Your name on a boat (writer and director) Amsterdam (NL)

2014 - Tito’s Dream (writer and director) Storrs (CT) USA

2014 - Un muerto muy vivo (writer and director) Clown show. Madrid (SP)

2013 - Nama Kamu atas perahu (Director) Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia)

2013 - The jewel of Cairo (writer and director) Clown show. Madrid (SP)

2012 - Sergio Monteccini (writer and director) Clown show. Madrid (SP)

2014 - PUFF!! (Director) Norway

2013 - Romance de La Dezarpa (director) FR

2008-18 Solo Dell´Arte (actor-director) Mask show / Conference, The Netherlands, Spain, Cyprus, Romania, France, Turkey, Germany, Italy, Cyprus, Austria, Canada, Argentina, Greece, United Kingdom and United States.

2008 - A la de tres! (Actor-director) Mask Improvisation Show, NL

2007 - Völlerei (actor) Contemporary Commedia, NL

2007 - Paradise (actor-director) Modern Commedia, NL

2007 - Refugi (actor-director) Modern Commedia, NL

2005 - Amleto (Hamlet) (actor and co-director) Commedia dell´Arte, SP and NL

2004 - Jester’s Tale (actor and co-director) Commedia dell’Arte, IRE

2004 - May Day (actor and co-director) Clown Street Performance, IRE

2003 - Solo (actor and co-director) Mask-Showcase, IRE

2003 - It’s too Arty… (actor and co-director) Clown-Burlesque, IRE

2003 - Don’t Sleep! (actor and co-director) Commedia dell’Arte, IRE

2002 - Two or Three? (actor) Clown, IRE and FR

2002 - Muirsin’s Melody (actor and co-director) Buffoon, IRE

2001 - Más allá de los girasoles (actor) Commedia dell’Arte, SP

2001 - Una vida dues vides (actor and co-director) Commedia dell’Arte, SP and IRE

WITH OTHER COMPANIES

2019 - Girls of the Golden West (actor) DNO Amsterdam (NL) (Dir. Peter Sellars)

2013 - 15 - The Magic Flute (actor) Amsterdam (NL) (Dir. Simon McBurney - Complicite)

2012 - Idomeneo (mime/actor) Dutch National Opera, NL

2010 - A Dog’s Heart (actor) (Dir. Simon McBurney - Complicite) UK and NL

2003 - Belgrade Theatre (actor) (Dir. Kathy K.) UK

2003 - Baboro Festival (Clown Parade) (Dir. Carlos García Estévez) IRE

2002 - 03- Theatre du Sagittaire (actor) (Dir. Pascal Viet) FR

2002 - Macnas (actor) (Dir. Judith Higgins) IRE

1997 - Macnas (actor) Disneyland-Paris (Dir. Macnas) FR

1994 - 96 - Pigmalion II (actor) (Dir. Víctor Ruiz) ESP

1995 - Taedra (actor) (Dir. Víctor Ruiz) ESP

PEDAGOGUE
 

Movement theatre, devising theatre and mask performance.

[By country]

THE NETHERLANDS

2015 - Nationaal Jeugd Musical Theater, Amsterdam

2012 - Muziektheater Hollands Diep, Dordrecht

2013 - Dutch National Opera Academy, Amsterdam

2011 - 14 - De Acteerschool, Rotterdam 

2015 - Sandberg Instituut, Amsterdam

2009 - Fontys Academie, Tilburg

2008 - ROC, Amsterdam

2008 - 09 - F. Sanders MusicTheatre School, Amsterdam

2005 - 17 - ARTEZ, Arnhem

2005 - 10 - CODARTS Rotterdam Conservatorium

2005 - Stella Duce Theatre, Venlo

2005 - Drie Naakt Mens, Amsterdam

2005 - Tiramisu Theatre Company, Amsterdam

2004 - 14 - HKU School of Arts, Utrecht

2004 - Drang Theatre Company, Dan Haag

2004 - 09 - Teatro Punto Prof. Training, Amsterdam

IRELAND

2001 - 04 - Macnas, Galway

2003 - Youth Theatre, Galway

2003 - Youth Theatre, Sligo

2002 - 03 - Youth Theatre, Limerick

NORTH IRELAND

2002 - Youth Theatre, Ennyskilen

ITALY

2015 - La Pergola, Florence

2005 - 08 - Accademia Dell’Arte, Arezzo

2004 - 10 - Centro Maschere et Struttura Gestuali-Sartori, Abano Terme - Padova

SPAIN

2016 - Ecuela Internacional del Gesto, Madrid

2013 - Escuela Teatral Paso de Valverde, A Coruña

2005 - 08 - Laboratory CanZannone, Barcelona

2004 - 05 - Escuela Patothom, Barcelona

2004 - Los Deméndez, Girona

2000 - 01- Teatro de La Abadia, Madrid

2000 - 01- Escuela Arte Noble, Madrid

2001 - Escuela A. Vázquez de Castro, Madrid

2000 - La Guindalera, Madrid

1996 - 97 - YMCA, Madrid and Valencia

FRANCE

2011 - 18 - Lecoq Lees Studios, Paris

2017 - National School of Architecture, Paris 

2011 - X - LEM – Ecole Jacques Lecoq, Paris

2014 - Mask Collective, Paris

2005 - Théâtre Elixir, Amiens

2002 - 05 - Théâtre du Sagittaire, Amiens

2003 - 05 - CAJ, Freville Scarbotin

UNITED STATES

2018 - USD, San Diego, CA

2014 - UCONN, CT

2010 - 11 - Association for Theatre in Higher Education ATHE. LA and Chicago

2009 - 11 - Association of Theatre Movement Educators. NYC, LA and Chicago

2011 - University of Redlands, Redlands, CA

2011 - Whittier University, Whittier, CA

2010 -16 - American Academy of Dramatic Art, New York City, NY

2011 - American Academy of Dramatic Art, Hollywood, LA

2009 - Piccolo Theater, Chicago, IL

2008 - UNC, Chapel Hill, NC

2008 - TCU, Fort Worth, TX

2008 - 11 - SMU, Dallas, TX

2008 - UVA, Charlottesville, VA

2008 - PACE University, NYC

2008 - Belmont Academy, Belmont MA

2006 - 16 - Wagner College, Staten Is. NY

2006 - 08 - Boston University, MA

2006 - Brown University, Riverside, RI 

2006 - Gallatin School NYU, NYC

2006 - FIU, Miami FL

2006 - Sarah Lawrence Co., Bronxville NY

2006 - Concord Academy, Boston MA

2006 - Simmons College, Boston MA

2006 - Hartford University, CT

2006 - MUW, Columbia MS

2006 - UARTS, Philadelphia PA

2006 - Milton Academy, Boston MA

2006 - Smith College, Northampton MA

2006 - UMASS, Amherst MA

2006 - Muhlenberg College, Allentown PA

2006 - Rhodes College, Memphis TN

2006 - Hendrix College, Conway ARK

2006 - Trinity College, Hartford CT

2006 - TUFTS University, Boston MA

2006 - 08 - VCU, Richmond VA

2006 - Richmond University, Richmond VA

2006 - W&M College, Williamsburg VA

AUSTRIA

2013 - Institut fur Musikpadagogik at Universitat fur Musik and Darstellende Kunst, Vienna.

UNITED KINGDOM

2010 - 11 - East 15 Acting School at University of Essex, Loughton,

2011 - Rose Bruford University, Bexley, 

2013 - 14 - Royal Conservatoire of Scotland (RCS), Glasgow.

CANADA

2016 - Upper Canada College, Toronto

2011 - 13 - Toronto University, Toronto

2012 - 13 - Windsor College, Windsor

2012 - Glendon College at York University, Toronto

ROMANIA

2010 - Teatrul Masca, Bucharest 

GREECE

2013 - Theater of Changes Acting School, Athens

ARGENTINA

2013 - Belisario Acting School, Buenos Aires

2013 - IN Teatro Acting School, Buenos Aires

2013 - Contemporary Dance Laboratory, Buenos Aires

TURKEY

2008 - Trabzon Devlet Tiyatrosu, Trabzon

2013 - Bilkent University, Ankara

2014 - Kadir Has University Stage, Istanbul

COLOMBIA

2015 - Teatro Nacional, Bogota

2015 - Universidad Javeriana, Bogota

CYPRUS

2008 - Rooftop Theatre Group, Nicosia

NORWAY

2014 - Floating Theatre, Ås

MALAYSIA

2013 - Kakiseni, Kuala Lumpur

2018 - DPAC, Kuala Lumpur

SENEGAL

2018 - Kaddu Yaraax Theatre of the Oppressed, Dakar

2018 - Action Enfance Senegal, Dakar

2018 - Kaddu Askanwi, Dakar

MEXICO

2019-24-25 - OTEART, Guadalajara

2019- MET, Guadalajara

CUBA

2024- ENA, La Habana

2024- Argos Teatro, La Habana

2024- Grupo Teatro TIJO, Nueva Gerona

2024- UNEAC, Nueva Gerona

ECUADOR

2023- Casa de la Cultura, Cuenca

2023- Universidad de Cuenca, Cuenca

2023- Teatro Experimental UC, Cuenca