Brazilian-born Diana Salles has emerged as a prominent voice in the contemporary circus.
 

A graduate of the prestigious École Supérieure des Arts du Cirque (ESAC) in Belgium, she studied under the notable mentors Roman Fedin and Valérie Dubois, specializing in aerial silks.
 

Diana’s work centers on the connective power of circus and its potential to bring social issues to the stage. Her artistry has been recognized globally in 2019 with her aerial silks act, Genesis; she earned the bronze medal and the "Prix de la Ville de Paris" at the Festival Mondial du Cirque de Demain and the Public Choice Award at FIRCO in Madrid.
 

Since then, Diana has created acts and been an interpreter of various socially relevant creations, such as SABOTAGE of NofitState directed by Firenza Guidi and Death in Venice, an opera by Benjamin Britten brought back on the stage by the collaboration of NofitState and The Welsh National Opera. Diana played the mother of Tadzio, being the first trans woman in this role.
 

In 2023, Diana premiered her solo show DELUSIONAL - I Killed a Man, created in collaboration with director Firenza Guidi. The performance explores her transition from male to female, earning acclaim for its raw honesty and uniquely personal creative process. This groundbreaking work further solidified Diana's role as a leading voice for queer identities in contemporary circus.

 

The show debuted at the Amsterdam Fringe Festival, where it was honored with the Best of Fringe - International Bursary award, and the Freiburger Leiter award, a prestigious German platform recognizing exceptional performing arts productions and fostering international touring opportunities.