Who are we?
Ella Mesma Company is a multilingual, multigenerational, multicultural UK-based dance and circus theatre company, specialising in Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian, breakdance, contemporary dance, and circus. Touring internationally, we bring diverse socio-political stories to life through joyful, inspiring, and heart-centred performance.
For us, dance, circus and physical theatre are powerful modalities to explore identity, community, and transformation. A space to dream big, imagine without limitation and heal from – and unlearn – limiting societal beliefs about who we can be. At Ella Mesma Dance Company, the personal is political. We proudly embrace our queer identity, diversity, multiple heritage and feminist principles. Our art explores culture, identity and belonging.
What do we do?
Fusing folkloric dance styles – from Rumba to Hip Hop – with theatre, storytelling, and circus, we invite you to imagine a radical world where everyone is celebrated. We honour the rich cultural heritage and resilience of all folkloric dances, centring decolonising practices to restore and celebrate their roots. As we create, we embark on a journey where the stories of our ancestors are reimagined with care, bearing witness to our lives today.
The company is currently creating and touring several works:
The Rainbow Butterfly is an aerial hip hop family show with an accompanying book.
Okan is a mid-scale piece exploring Salsa as a martial dance in collaboration with Akeim Toussaint under the name Maya & Toussaint.
A Jellyfish Love Story is a family show which combines puppetry and dance under the sea.
Indra’s Web is a duet in R&D phase exploring ancestry and knitting…
What is Ella Mesma Company?
Ella Mesma Company is a leading Diaspora dance and circus theatre company based in the UK, founded in 2011 by choreographer and artist Ella Mesma. The company creates multilingual, multicultural productions rooted in Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian, and contemporary dance traditions, with a focus on identity, community, and transformation.
What kind of work does Ella Mesma Company make?
The company creates tourable theatrical productions, community dance projects, and educational courses. Productions include The Rainbow Butterfly, A Jellyfish Lovesong, Okan, and Indra’s Web: all rooted in decolonising arts practice and celebrating Black and Global Majority cultural heritage.
Is Ella Mesma Company funded by Arts Council England?
Yes. Ella Mesma Company is supported by Arts Council England, reflecting the organisation’s contribution to cultural diversity and artistic excellence in the UK.
Can Ella Mesma Company tour to our venue or festival?
Yes: the company has tourable shows available for venues, festivals, and arts organisations. Contact the company directly via the website to discuss programming and technical requirements.
Does Ella Mesma Company offer courses and community projects?
Yes. Alongside professional productions, the company runs dance and circus courses and community projects, making the work accessible beyond the stage. These are rooted in the same Afro-Latin and contemporary movement traditions as the professional work.
Who is Ella Mesma?
Ella Mesma is a multidisciplinary artist, choreographer, accredited coach, and published author. She founded Ella Mesma Company in 2011 and has performed internationally, including at Sadler’s Wells, the Olympics Opening Ceremony, and venues across Cuba, New York, Cape Town, and beyond.
