Octavian Iuga graduated from the Certification Course in Performing Arts – Dance Instructor specialization and has been part of the TMA Ballet Ensemble since the establishment of the institution.
Octav made his debut in the world of dance in a folk dance ensemble with which he participated in numerous festivals and competitions.
Twelve years ago, he first stepped on the stage of a children’s theater and was captivated by the pure emotion and energy that the little spectators convey. Over the time, the world of theater has disciplined him, given him the pride of winning international competitions and the excitement of bringing the beauty of Romanian traditions and customs to other lands. He gained experience creating shows dedicated to young people and their always surprising reaction and thirst for art and culture made him understand the importance of transmitting his love for theater to the next generations.
He was a solo dancer of the Children’s Comic Opera and of the “Stela Popescu” Theater and performed in successful shows such as: “Insir-te, Margarite,” “Pharmacist”, “Match Girl”, “Little Red Riding Hood”, “Sheherezada” , “Santa’s Girl and Grandma’s Girl”, “Coana Chirita”, “Theater Director”, “The Little Prince”, “The Sound of Music”, “Peter Pan”, “Jack and the Beanstalk”, “Mirandolina”, “Hansel and Gretel “,” The Magic Flute “,” The Mirage of Competition “,” The Sleeping Beauty “,” Master Coppelius’ Dolls “,” Lampio “. In ballet performances, he gave life to famous people, such as the eternal love affair with the philphizon Camacho from “Don Quixote”, the cute mouse Octavio from “Cinderella”, the shameful dwarf from “Snow White” or the Sparrow from “White Harap”.
At TMA, you applauded Octav as the Vagabond in the ballet “La Piață”, adapted from Mihail Jora, by the Soldier from the show “Figaro Style”, adapted for children after the opera “The Barber of Seville” by Gioachino Rossini, by the Candlestick from the ballet “Beauty and the Beast”, adaptation after Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve, but also in the musicals “Fool and Tandalus”, adaptation after the famous Romanian archaic stories and ” Înșir’te Mărgărite “, adaptation after Victor Eftimiu or “The Story of the Sunflower” , a show based on authentic Romanian folk music.
Together with the TMA Ballet Ensemble, he has won numerous awards for participating in major international competitions and festivals. Among them 1st place – GOLDEN DIPLOMA at the GOLDEN DANCE online international competition, SPECIAL AWARD awarded by EURO-FOLK ACADEMY, coordinator of international festivals organized under the auspices EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION OF FOLKLORE FESTIVALS, UNESCO partner, LAUREATE I – GOLD DIPLOMA OF WORLD , Ryan Foundation Trophy at the 16th RYAN INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S FESTIVAL – New Delhi, India.
Trivia: Octav is passionate about winter sports and water sports, especially rowing, which he practiced for a while at a professional level. At home he likes to spend time in the kitchen, trying different Italian and Indian recipes.
