With nearly five decades of experience as a core member of the legendary Odin Teatret, Roberta has captivated audiences worldwide with her powerful performances and innovative approach to the stage.
Roberta Carreri is a multifaceted artist, educator, writer, and director. Born in 1953 in Milan, Italy, she holds a degree in Advertising Design and studied Art History at Milan State University. In 1974, she joined Odin Teatret during the group’s residency in Carpignano, Italy, marking the beginning of a lifelong dedication to theatre.
Since the inception of ISTA (International School of Theatre Anthropology) in 1980, Roberta has been an integral part of its exploration of global performance traditions, engaging with techniques from Japan, India, Bali, and China. These experiences have profoundly shaped her work as both an actress and teacher. From 1980 to 1986, she trained intensively with Japanese masters, including Katsuko Azuma (Nihon Buyo dancer), Natsu Nakajima, and Kazuo Ohno (Butoh dancers).
Roberta conducts acting workshops worldwide and shares her professional journey through Traces in the Snow, a work demonstration that reflects her artistic autobiography. From 1989 to 2022, she organized and led the annual international Odin Week Festival in Holstebro and abroad, fostering cross-cultural exchange and artistic growth.
In May 2025, Roberta Carreri received a work grant from the Danish Arts Foundation in recognition of her continued high-quality artistic work. The grant was awarded to support and further develop Roberta’s artistic practice, which continues to stand out for its originality, professional quality, and artistic integrity.
In 2023, the University of Patras honored Roberta Carreri for her significant contributions to theater anthropology throughout her career as an actor. Carreri, a long-standing member of Odin Teatret, has enriched global audiences with her innovative approach to the performing arts, inspiring many to develop and express their own artistry.
Rumor (2009) with Cinzia Ciaramicoli for Masakini Theatre Company (Malaysia), The Woman Who Spat Out the Apple (2014) with Rosa Antuña – Núcleo de Criaçao Rosa Antuña (Brazil), Nido Vacio (2015) with Carolina Pizarro and Giulia Varotto – a co-production between Nordisk Teaterlaboratorium and Regula Teatro (Denmark/Italy), and Honey Badger (2023) with Juraj Benko – a co-production between Nordisk Teaterlaboratorium and Juraj Benko (Denmark/Slovakia).
The Actor’s Way (edited by Erik Exe Christoffersen), Memories that will not die – Roberta Carreri in Flowers for Torgeir by Annelis Kuhlmann, and Finding Kokoro through the Eyes: Butoh in Roberta Carreri’s Work and Pedagogy by Simone Dragone. She is also the author of Tracce, a book that delves into her training, pedagogy, and life as an actress with Odin Teatret. First published in Italian in 2007, On Training and Performance has since been translated into Portuguese, Spanish, and English, reaching a global audience.
Her articles have appeared in prestigious journals, including New Theatre Quarterly, Teatro e Storia, Máscara, The Open Page, Peripeti, and Performance Research. Roberta Carreri’s work continues to inspire and influence the world of theatre, bridging cultures and generations through her artistry and dedication.
