Originally from Venezuela, Abdo Sayegh trained with Ballet Nacional de Caracas Teresa Carreño School, and his early performing career included both of Venezuela’s leading companies: the Ballet Nacional de Caracas under the direction of Vicente Nebrada and Ballet Nuevo Mundo de Caracas under the direction of Zhandra Rodriguez.

Mr. Sayegh made his first U.S. appearance in 1994, at the invitation of Minnesota Dance Theatre’s Loyce Houlton, dancing the role of Nutcacker Prince in Houlton’s enduring Nutrcracker Fantasy—a role he has since played for 13 seasons. Joining the Minnesota Dance Theatre (MDT) full-time in 1998 at the invitation of Lise Houlton, Mr. Sayegh has performed in works by Alvin Ailey, Wynn Fricke, Loyce and Lise Houlton, Alonzo King, José Limón, Vicente Nebrada, Dwight Rhoden, Uri Sands, and Antony Tudor, among others. In 2006, he became MDT’s Artistic Associate.

Mr. Sayegh has also performed as a guest of Los Angeles Chamber Ballet; Teatro Teresa Carreño Opera, Venezuela; Metropolitan Ballet of Topeka; New Choreographers on Point/Ballet Builders, New York; North Star Opera; and TU Dance. He is a recipient of a 2007 McKnight Artist Fellowship for Dancers, administered by the Southern Theater and funded by the McKnight Foundation.

Artist Philosophy
For me dancing is about finding the intense connection, a common moment with the audience. My Russian teacher used to say “there is only one chance on stage,” even when there were 12 performances of the same repertoire! Dance comes and goes. Every year, every season, every evening it’s here and then gone. What lasts is the power of the conviction behind the movement. The collaborative work of uncovering this conviction has brought me inside this very special dance community. Now that it’s been over a decade, I look back on my early career in Venezuela with a renewed understanding of my journey here, and a deep appreciation of what means to become a Minnesota dancer.

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