News Story
Dinos Aristidou was a theatre maker and educator whose commitment and passion inspired all who worked with him. Dinos died in March 2023 aged just 57 after suffering irreversible heart failure.
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Dinos never worked without a journal in hand
Credit : Paul Telfer
With a journal close by and his favourite…Diet Coke
Credit : Paul Telfer
Dinos and one of his infamous reflection cards
Credit : Paul Telfer
Working with the LEAP Ambassadors
Credit : Paul Telfer
Working with the LEAP Ambassadors
Credit : Paul Telfer
Dinos during the creation of Ballet Birmingham & Me
© 2010 Credit : Geoff Slack
Dinos during the creation of Ballet Birmingham & Me
He first worked with Birmingham Royal Ballet in 2002 on Ziggurat – part of the Commonwealth Games celebrations in Manchester. He then went on to work with us on Safahr (2004), Ribbon Tree (2006), Ballet, Birmingham and Me (2010), B5 pass it on (2012), produced numerous resources for us and most recently supported the development of our LEAP Ambassadors Programme, one of the few projects he continued to do after taking the full-time role of Executive Director at ISTA.
Dinos was an absolute joy to work with his knowledge, skill, generosity and encouragement made magical things happen. We have lost a very special friend but his legacy will live on through our work and the future generations of LEAP Ambassadors.
Pearl Chesterman, Director of LEAP
Dinos was a real character, so passionate and enthusiastic. He was so interesting and had a real skill of bringing out people’s creativity. The sessions we had with him in 2020 to plan our celebration provided escapism and a chance to focus on something different at a time we all needed. The arts have lost a real gem.Fenella Sheldon, LEAP Ambassador, 2019-20
Even though I only knew Dinos for a short time, it was clear that he truly was an incredibly kind, passionate and talented man, with wonderful dedication to the arts. He leaves behind a huge and wonderful legacy.Lauren Novelli, LEAP Ambassador, 2019-20
I really enjoyed working with Dinos throughout the year and value all the reflecting we did in his sessions, as well planning for our futures. I feel lucky to have gotten to work with Dinos.Nicola Frankland, LEAP Ambassador, 2021-22
