Robert Salas has been involved in dance and movement for about 30 years --first as a martial artist, where he studied Chung Moo Kwon, Tai Kwon Do, Shorin Ryu, and Aikido.  It was this early influence of martial arts that an appreciation for structured movement and movement as a vehicle of cathartic expression took root. 

This desire for physical expression brought Robert to theatre and dance during his early years in college.  Having been fortunate enough to work professionally with the California Shakespeare Festival under Director Mark Lamos in Taming of the Shrew and Romeo and Juliet, his passion for performance took flight. 

In his junior year in college at Humboldt State as a theatre major, Robert realized that dance was his preferred form of theatrical expression.  He was accepted to study dance at the University of California, Irvine, where he received both his BA and MFA.

He has studied Ballet, Jazz, Modern Dance, Acting and Mime with such notable teachers as Finis Jhung, Israel "El" Gabriel, Claude Thompson, Hama, Jamie Rogers, Athena Pallas, Natalie Clare, Nina Weiner, Lena De Marco, James Penrod and Paul Jones.  He continues to study contemporary modern technique with Holly Johnston and studied Laban with Janice Meaden, Ed Groff and Peggy Hackney.  Robert enjoys exploring the principles of the Laban theories of Space, Shape and Movement and how they reveal the complexities of the Human experience. 

Robert has danced with Terry Lewis Dance Ensemble, Francisco Martinez Dance Theatre, Long Beach Ballet, South Bay Ballet, The Montgomery Ballet and Le Ballet Pallas. 

As an instructor, Robert been teaching dance primarily in the California Community College system and with private studios.  He has taught dance at Ballet Pacifica Conservatory, Dance West, Cypress College, Cerritos College, Irvine Valley College, Academy of the Performing Arts at Huntington Beach High School and currently is at Moorpark College as a tenured faculty member.

Robert teaches all levels of Modern Dance, Ballet II/III, Choreography, Ballet Variations, Dance Appreciation and Dance Production.  Robert also directs the Moorpark College Modern Dance Touring Ensemble, a touring and outreach performing company. 

As a choreographer, Robert has presented his work in Santa Barbara Dance Alliance’s “New Works Concert” and “Dance At The Top Of The Hill.”  Nancy Evans’ Family and Friends Concert, SpectorDance’s Emerging Choreographers Showcase 2011 and for Patrick Franz’s La Danserie.  It was through these performance and choreographic presentations that a need to have a committed group of dancers to create new works that spawned Movement Theatre CoLab.  Robert is excited for this prospect and looks forward to the experiences of this collaboration.