Diogo Sales

Education

About me

Diogo Sales is a Brazilian actor of Afro-Indigenous heritage who was born into a working-class family in Rio de Janeiro. Diogo grew up playing percussion instruments and began practicing Capoeira as soon as he could walk. Due to the influence of his father, a Brazilian percussionist, he found himself drawn to performing arts at an early age.

Diogo's talent was recognized by the director Pedro Vasconcelos, in his teens and he kick-started his acting career by playing a small role in the mainstream stage production of "Capitães da Areia" in 2002, in Brazil. After that, unable to financially afford his formal studies in a drama school, Diogo began his training by seeking out free-acting classes, granting scholarships for short-acting courses and social projects, such as "Palco Social" directed by Ernesto Piccolo and Rogério Blat. He, eventually, became a member of "Grupo Nós do Morro". The nationally acclaimed favela-based Theatre Company whose purpose is to give opportunities to slums inhabitants. To turn them aside from crime and bring them closer to art. There, despite the dangers of gang violence regularly disrupting rehearsals, he spent over four years developing his acting skills.

He first went to the UK with "Grupo Nós do Morro", invited by the RSC (Royal Shakespeare Company), to play "The Two Gentlemen of Verona" in The Complete Works Shakespeare Festival at The Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon. During the rehearsal period, he had the opportunity to work with Cicely Berry (RSC voice director/coach) several times. Diogo's character development in this play received great acclaim from theatre critics both in England and Brazil. Including praise from Barbara Heliodora for his role as Crab, the dog. After touring Brazil, he then made a return to British theatre following an invitation by the Barbican. Straight after, he booked a leading role in Colin Teevan's "Amazonia" at the Young Vic theatre in London's West End. His accomplished physical acting skills resulted in a visceral and critically-acclaimed raw performance that was widely applauded, for his role as a bull.

Afterwards, Diogo moved permanently to London and started training at the Identity School of Acting. Years later he studied at the prestigious Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and graduated with an MA in Acting for Screen.

His on-screen debut was a recurring role in season 6 of "Game of Thrones" on HBO. He then went on to star in the first episode of the Brazilian broadcaster Rede Globo's prison drama series "Carcereiros" (Jailers). Premiered worldwide at MIPTV's MIPDrama Screenings in Cannes, winning the Grand Jury Prize in the full episode category.

Diogo's commitment, motivation, and passion for his craft have garnered him an international career as an actor. Working in soap operas, film, theatre and TV series with renowned directors such as José Eduardo Belmonte, Carolina Jabor, Jeremy Podeswa, and Daniel Sackheim. Allowing him to hone his raw talent, added to his perseverance, resilience, and drive.

ADDITIONAL SKILLS

Vocal: Baritone
Sports: Swimming, Body Surf
Martial Arts: Capoeira, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
Dance: Contemporany Dance, Contact Improvisation, Ensemble Dance,
Ballroom Dance/Social Dancing (Salsa, Samba, Tango, Zouk, Forro & Bolero)
Musical: Percussion
Physical Theatre: Clown, Buffoon, Stage Combat, Character & Mask Work (Neutral, Laval, Topeng, Full & Half Masks)
Improvisation & Devising, Basic (Acrobatics, Silks & Juggling)

Skills

Languages Spoken	English, Portuguese, Spanish
Accents/Dialects	Caribbean (Puerto Rican), English - London, English - Received Pronunciation, Latin American, Mexican, Portuguese, Portuguese (Brazilian), South American (Argentinian), Spanish (International Spanish) Acento Neutro
Dance Styles	Ballroom, Breakdance, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Latin American, Salsa, Swing Dance, Tango
Vocal Types	Baritone
Additional Skills	Acting, Dance
Athletics	Basketball, Boxing, Cycling, Diving, Kickboxing, Martial Arts, Soccer, Stage Combat, Surfing, Volleyball, Wrestling
Musical Skills	Percussion
Organisations / Memberships	Equity (UK)
Work Permits	EU