Richard Cilli first crossed paths with dance at STEPS Youth Dance Company in Perth, where he performed contemporary dance work throughout his teenage years. Richard trained at WAAPA, during which he undertook a semester abroad in Taiwan, studying eastern movement disciplines. Upon graduating, Richard was awarded most outstanding graduating student, having performed the work of Sue Healy, Nacho Duato, Gary Stewart and Kim McCarthy.

Immediately after graduating, Richard joined Sydney Dance Company in 2009. He has performed in Rafael Bonachela’s We Unfold (2009-2011); 360 (2009); 6 Breaths (2010-2011); Soledad (2010); LANDforms (2011); and The Land of Yes & The Land of No (2011). He has also worked with guest choreographer’s Kenneth Kvarnstrom’s Mercury (2009), Adam Linder’s Are We That We Are (2010); Emanuel Gat’s Satisfying Musical Moments (2010); and Jacopo Godani’s Raw Models (2011). In November/December 2011, Richard was part of the highly acclaimed tour of Between Breath & Form to New York, Barcelona and London.

Richard was awarded Best Male Dancer at the 2010 Helpmann Awards held at the Sydney Opera House for his performance of We Unfold, and is currently the face of Van Heusen menswear.