A PLATFORM FOR PERFORMING ARTS
Slovenian ITI Centre
A PLATFORM FOR PERFORMING ARTS
Slovenian ITI Centre
About ODER - STAGE and ITI
ODER in English translation STAGE is a space of collaboration in performing arts
Non-governmental performing arts platform is the seat of
the International Theatre Institute in Slovenia.
partner NETWORK
Week of Slovenian Drama Festival and Preseren Theatre Kranj
Association of Slovenian Ballet Artists and
Ballet Through Lines Web Platform
Association of Dramatic Artists of Slovenia
Slovenian Theatre Institute
Maribor Theatre Festival
Academy for Theatre, Radio, Film and Television, University of Ljubljana
ABOUT ITI WORLDWIDE
We are a proud member of the largest international organization for the performing arts.
ITI was created on the initiative of the first UNESCO Director General, Sir Julian Huxley, and the playwright and novelist, JB Priestly, in 1948, just after the Second World War. This was the beginning of the Cold War when the Iron Curtain divided East and West. The founders of ITI aimed to build a cultural organization for the performing arts aligned with UNESCO’s goals on culture, education, the arts, mutual understanding and peace. It should focus its endeavours on improving the status of all members of the performing arts professions. They envisaged an organization that created platforms for international exchange and engagement in the performing arts education for beginners and professionals alike and using the performing arts for mutual understanding and peace.
THINKING AND RETHINKING BALLET
In 2021, The Slovenian Ballet Artists' Association and The Slovenian Centre ITI launched a web page section, and talks streamed on YouTube with guests from around the World. This exceptional ongoing cooperation between the two organizations fosters the dialogue between art and society with its diversity and international reach
Team of producers:
Tomaž Rode, Nataša Berce.
and a host Tatjana Ažman.
The Ministry of Culture of
the Republic of Slovenia supports them.
27. 5. 2021
ROBERT DEKKERS (USA) is a choreographer, artistic director, and ballet ensemble Post: Ballet (USA) founder.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGQjgmU-aRo
27. 9. 2021
GEORGETTE GEBARA (LEBANON), is Lebanon's legend and prima ballerina, ambassador of arts in Lebanon, pedagogue, and founder of professional ballet education in her country.
She is one of the first ITI members to receive the "Honorary Member" title during the Xiamen Congress 2011. She served as Secretary of the International Dance Committee of ITI and was a Technical Advisor for the Executive Council.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_QO8trLRVgI
16. 2. 2022
MIHAELA DEVALD ROKSANDIĆ (CROATIA), Croatian ballerina, principal dancer of
The Croatian National Theatre in Zagreb.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NL2IagAz0ic
7. 3. 2022
CHASE JOHNSEY, an American ballet dancer from Florida (USA), was awarded dancer (Dance Magazine 2008 – 25 to Watch, English National Dance Awards 2017 -
Best dancer), founder of Ballet Barcelona.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezCowW_sTYE
15. 6. 2022
ALASTAIR MACAULAY (UK), the leading critic of the Financial Times, the leading dance critic at Times Literary Supplement and New York Times, a contributor to Dance Magazine, Ballet Review, Dancing Times, …, academic teacher (Royal Academy of Dancing, UK), curator (New York City Center),
and book author.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L5vOy9FikrQ
5. 12. 2022
JAŠ OTRIN (SLOVENIA/GERMANY), a former principal dancer in many important European ballet houses and a founder of OtrinArtManagement, a platform for performing and fine arts artists, is presently based in Germany.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HSpc2L9aE6c
23. 1. 2023
JENNIFER HOMMANS (USA), a famous book author, revealed the backstage of her work on a recently published influential book about George Balanchine entitled
Mr B., George Balanchine's Twentieth Century.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k-fAJnKOtrI
26. 9. 2023
SZILARD MACHER (HUNGARY), ballet dancer, pedagogue, and choreographer, talks about his experience as a dancer. Still, mainly, he describes the situation in ballet education and pedagogy from the perspective of the present situation in Hungary.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-emdj5wXMOQ&t=9s
28. 11. 2023
MÁRIO RADAČOVSKÝ (SLOVAKIA) joined the Slovak National Theatre Ballet in 1989, becoming a soloist quickly. In 1992, he received an offer to dance in Jiří Kylián's Netherlands Dance Theatre in The Hague. In 2018, he finished a master's in choreography at the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague. He began to create as a choreographer in 2002 at the Les Grands Ballets Canadiens in Montreal. Since the 2013 season, he has been the artistic director of The Ballet of the National Theatre Brno.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=day509Zl2Y0&t=3214s
3. 1. 2024
GABRIELE HASLINGER (AUSTRIA), Gabriele Haslinger was six years old when she was accepted at the prestigious ballet school of the Vienna State Opera, 14 when she received her employment contract to the Vienna State Opera Ballet, and 21 when Rudolf Nureyev (Soviet-born ballet dancer and choreographer, 1938 – 1993) specifically chose her of all ensemble members as his partner for a series of roles – at a time when she had not even reached her soloist status yet. Gabriele was acclaimed for her virtuosity and elegance and for making the most technically demanding roles seem effortless and gracious.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My-mLqkWLXM&t=3201s
4. 1. 2024
HELEN PICKETT (USA), a California-born choreographer, has created more than 30 ballets, most recently Eventide (Boston Ballet), Games (Ballet West), and Camino Real(Atlanta Ballet, where she is the resident choreographer). We discussed different and her work's beautiful points of her career as a da, dancer, actress, filmmaker, and pedagogue, as well as how she views the present art community struggles and opportunities
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGmSjNh_aGs&t=2s
The Voice of The New Belarus
4 April 2023
A project led by:
Oder/Stage – Cultural Institute for Performing Arts / SC ITI, People’s Embassies of Belarus in Ljubljana, the Association of the Belarusian Diaspora in Slovenia, and The Week of Slovenian Drama Festival in Kranj, Slovenia
ABOUT
Parallel to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, the systematic repression of democratic processes has been happening in Belarus for years. These processes, among other things, weaken and destroy the working conditions for many artists and intellectuals who have been leaving the country to create new lives for themselves with the hope that they will one day be able to return home. Many truths remain hidden until we start talking about them, writing them down, or documenting them in another way. Such knowledge must circulate in the art world so that it connects and empowers us to implement human rights. One of the projects that have been created with the intent to speak up is Insulted. Belarus. The American John Freedman and his wife, Russian actress and director Oksana Mysina, created the Worldwide Readings Project. They shot the documentary Voices of the New Belarus, based on Andrei Kureichik's eponymous play, and prepared a shorter version called Love is Stronger than Fear, which recently won the Grand Prix at the 14th Atlantis International Internet Short Film Festival in New York. The event took place in person in Kranj and on Zoom. With it, we wish to open the space for theatre colleagues who, with their work, are keeping their culture and language alive, albeit no longer at home, and support their future efforts.
Program:
- Insulted. The Belarus Worldwide Readings A project was presented by John Freedman, a writer, and translator who has worked in Moscow since 1988 and was a theatre critic for the Moscow Times between 1992 and 2015.
- Presentation of the film Love Is Stronger Than Fear - the short version of the film Voices of the New Belarus by Oksana Mysina and John Freedman.
- Nadzeya Luchanok's introduction and a statement dialogue about her father, who has been imprisoned in Belarus since 2021.
- Playwright and screenwriter Andrei Kureichik, the author of the play Voices of the New Belarus - his experience with collaborative work with Oksana and John and generally about his present work and activities in the US.
- FOCUS BELARUS PLAYWRIGT - Contemporary Belarusian author Diana Balyko is on-site. A dialogue with her about her present living and working situation, a presentation of her work, and a focused future.
- Discussion with guests on Zoom and on-site.
Activities
READING CANKAR
LECTURE ON ANCIENT GREEK DRAMA AND ITS RECEPTION IN MODERN GREECE
Creators of Change: Women Playwrights During the COVID-19
31. 3. 2022, 52. Week of Slovenian Drama Festival, Preseren Theatre Kranj, Slovenija
Ivan Cankar, the "undiscovered Central European Ibsen", first time promoted abroad in English translation. Round table, streamed online.
With: Jure Gantar (Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada), Andreja Kovač (artistic director, Crane Creations Theatre C
31. 3. 2022, 52. Week of Slovenian Drama Festival, Preseren Theatre Kranj, Slovenija
Ivan Cankar, the "undiscovered Central European Ibsen", first time promoted abroad in English translation. Round table, streamed online.
With: Jure Gantar (Dalhousie University, Halifax, Canada), Andreja Kovač (artistic director, Crane Creations Theatre Company, Mississauga, Canada), Vijay Padaki (Bangalore Little Theatre Foundation, Bangalore, India) and Kay Brattan (artistic director, Little Lion Theatre, London, UK). Moderator: Tatjana Ažman (Slovenian Centre ITI); coordinator: Rok Andres
Collaboration of Slovenian Centre ITI, International Playwrights’ Forum ITI, Crane Creations Theatre Company (Canada) and Week of Slovenian Drama Festival. Supported by the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Slovenia..
Creators of Change: Women Playwrights During the COVID-19
LECTURE ON ANCIENT GREEK DRAMA AND ITS RECEPTION IN MODERN GREECE
Creators of Change: Women Playwrights During the COVID-19
11. 11. 2021, 51. Week of Slovenian Drama Festival, Preseren Theatre Kranj, Slovenija
Round table (Zoom Event, Streamed Online)
In an open dialogue, we will discuss the new contexts that women artists around the world are creating every day.
With: Simona Hamer (Slovenia), August Melody Andong (President of Women Playwrights International,
11. 11. 2021, 51. Week of Slovenian Drama Festival, Preseren Theatre Kranj, Slovenija
Round table (Zoom Event, Streamed Online)
In an open dialogue, we will discuss the new contexts that women artists around the world are creating every day.
With: Simona Hamer (Slovenia), August Melody Andong (President of Women Playwrights International, Philippines), Rosemary Johns (Vice-President of Women Playwrights International, Australia), Ximena Carrera (Chile), Dessa Quesada-Palm (Philippines), Melodie Reynolds-Diarra (Australia), Elnaz Sheshgelani (Iran / Australia)
Moderator: Tatjana Ažman (Slovenian Centre ITI); coordinator: Rok Andres
Collaboration of Slovenian Centre ITI, International Playwrights’ Forum ITI, WPI and Week of Slovenian Drama Festival. Supported by the Ministry of Culture of Republic of Slovenia..
LECTURE ON ANCIENT GREEK DRAMA AND ITS RECEPTION IN MODERN GREECE
LECTURE ON ANCIENT GREEK DRAMA AND ITS RECEPTION IN MODERN GREECE
LECTURE ON ANCIENT GREEK DRAMA AND ITS RECEPTION IN MODERN GREECE
4. 2. 2020, Olympus Festival, Cankarjev dom Ljubljana
Dr Constantina Ziropoulou, Professor of Theatre Studies, member of the
IPF was invited to give a lecture to outline the modern directing approaches of Ancient Greek theatre, as viewed within the framework of the current cultural and economic developments in Greece and presented signifi
4. 2. 2020, Olympus Festival, Cankarjev dom Ljubljana
Dr Constantina Ziropoulou, Professor of Theatre Studies, member of the
IPF was invited to give a lecture to outline the modern directing approaches of Ancient Greek theatre, as viewed within the framework of the current cultural and economic developments in Greece and presented significant landmarks in the history of the revival of ancient Greek theatre until the present day.
The initiative of Staša Mihelčič, vice president of IPF,
Secretary general of SC ITI.
In a collaboration between Cankarjev Dom Ljubljana, SC ITI and IPF.
4th ITI European Regional Council
NEAP YOUNG EMERGING ARTISTS EXCHANGE PROGRAM
LECTURE ON ANCIENT GREEK DRAMA AND ITS RECEPTION IN MODERN GREECE
19. – 21. 10. 2019, Maribor Theatre Festival
The presentation of the
Maribor Theatre Festival for the open audience was followed by the meeting of the European Centre's representatives.
Coorganized by SC ITI (Staša Mihelčič,
Rok Andres and Tatjana Ažman),
European Regional Centre ITI (Fabio Toledi),
ITI Worldwide (Tobias Biancone,
Chen Zhongwen) and
Maribor Theatre Festival.
ACTORS MASTERCLASS
NEAP YOUNG EMERGING ARTISTS EXCHANGE PROGRAM
NEAP YOUNG EMERGING ARTISTS EXCHANGE PROGRAM
14. – 16. 12. 2018, Slovenian National Theatre Drama Ljubljana
Masterclass for actors by Apostolos Apostolides (Cyprus).
A complete 3-day program for 25 participants.
SC ITI,
Slovenian Association of Dramatic Artists,
Slovenian National Theatre Drama Ljubljana.
NEAP YOUNG EMERGING ARTISTS EXCHANGE PROGRAM
NEAP YOUNG EMERGING ARTISTS EXCHANGE PROGRAM
NEAP YOUNG EMERGING ARTISTS EXCHANGE PROGRAM
15. – 29. 10. 2018, Maribor Theatre Festival
The Maribor Theatre Festival hosted a Masterclass facilitated by a student from The Accademia Teatro Dimitri.
Collaboration between
the Slovenian Centre ITI and
the Swiss Centre ITI.
THE CHALLENGES OF ARTISTIC FREEDOM
ITI World Congress 2017 - Congress program of the Slovenian delegation in Segovia
BODY LANGUAGE: PANTOMIME - ANDRÉS VALDÉS, THE PRIZEWINNER AND HIS STORIES
Symposium and Round Table
23. 10. 2018, Maribor Theatre Festival
Prominent specialists and guests discussed current themes of evaluating and treating artistic (or the artist’s) freedom, mainly focusing on various forms of violation, (self-)censorship or the restriction of activity, creation and expression.
Guest participants Dr Darko Luki
Symposium and Round Table
23. 10. 2018, Maribor Theatre Festival
Prominent specialists and guests discussed current themes of evaluating and treating artistic (or the artist’s) freedom, mainly focusing on various forms of violation, (self-)censorship or the restriction of activity, creation and expression.
Guest participants Dr Darko Lukić – keynote speaker (Croatia); Dr Thomas Engel (German Centre ITI and founding member of the ITI ACAR); Dr Thomas Irmer (German Centre ITI, member of the ITI ACAR); Dr Srirak Plipat (executive director of Freemuse);
Tomasz Kireńczuk (Poland);
chaired by Tatjana Ažman and
Rok Andres (SC ITI).
Co-organized by the Slovene Centre ITI,
the German Centre ITI,
the ITI ACAR and
the Maribor Theatre Festival.
BODY LANGUAGE: PANTOMIME - ANDRÉS VALDÉS, THE PRIZEWINNER AND HIS STORIES
ITI World Congress 2017 - Congress program of the Slovenian delegation in Segovia
BODY LANGUAGE: PANTOMIME - ANDRÉS VALDÉS, THE PRIZEWINNER AND HIS STORIES
6. 12. 2017, Lili Novy Hall - Cankarjev dom
The World Mime Organisation awarded mime and teacher Andrés Valdés for outstanding contribution to the art of pantomime, followed by the reflection on Cuban poetry - interpreted by a Mexican actor, writer and director Carlos Pascual and the talk with the artists conducted by the dramaturge Sta
6. 12. 2017, Lili Novy Hall - Cankarjev dom
The World Mime Organisation awarded mime and teacher Andrés Valdés for outstanding contribution to the art of pantomime, followed by the reflection on Cuban poetry - interpreted by a Mexican actor, writer and director Carlos Pascual and the talk with the artists conducted by the dramaturge Staša Mihelčič.
SC ITI, World Mime Organisation,
Association of Dramatic Artists of Slovenia
in cooperation with Cankarjev dom Ljubljana.
ITI World Congress 2017 - Congress program of the Slovenian delegation in Segovia
ITI World Congress 2017 - Congress program of the Slovenian delegation in Segovia
ITI World Congress 2017 - Congress program of the Slovenian delegation in Segovia
14. 7. – 23. 7. 2017
Guest performance Madam Bovary, directed by Yulia Roschina, Slovenian National Theatre Nova Gorica; Guest performance Gathering of the Birds, directed by
Nina Rajić Kranjac, Academy for Radio, Film, Television and Radio Ljubljana; Participation of the Slovenian member of the UNITWIN, Aleš Valič; Young practitioner
14. 7. – 23. 7. 2017
Guest performance Madam Bovary, directed by Yulia Roschina, Slovenian National Theatre Nova Gorica; Guest performance Gathering of the Birds, directed by
Nina Rajić Kranjac, Academy for Radio, Film, Television and Radio Ljubljana; Participation of the Slovenian member of the UNITWIN, Aleš Valič; Young practitioner representative Lea Kukovičič; Workshop by Alida Bevk;
New Honorable member of the ITI,
Henrik Neubauer.
2020 – 2022 ZOOM EVENTS WITH SC ITI PARTICIPATION
2020 – 2022 ZOOM EVENTS WITH SC ITI PARTICIPATION
ITI World Congress 2017 - Congress program of the Slovenian delegation in Segovia
LADIES OF THE STAGE -
PRIDE, PREJUDICE & CORONA
4. 7. 2020, World Mime Chat No 3
Participation of women artists from around the globe in the series of online discussions led by the World Mime Organisation.
15th SAINT MUSE THEATRE AWARDS
August 202O - Online
SC ITI member Tatjana Ažman
was a guest juror for the online festival edition,
c
LADIES OF THE STAGE -
PRIDE, PREJUDICE & CORONA
4. 7. 2020, World Mime Chat No 3
Participation of women artists from around the globe in the series of online discussions led by the World Mime Organisation.
15th SAINT MUSE THEATRE AWARDS
August 202O - Online
SC ITI member Tatjana Ažman
was a guest juror for the online festival edition,
category Music Theatre.
GLOBALIZATION: WHAT ARE THE POSSIBILITIES FOR
A DIALOGUE WITH THE ART - Zoom Talk Slovenia - Brasil
20. 11. 2020,
NEAP FEST BRASIL ONLINE 2020
The second edition happened between November 13 - 28, virtually: the NEAP FEST gathered artists, theatre companies and festival producers from different countries and continents from home.
Zoom Masterclass
PERFORMING ART IS CAPITAL
9. 12. 2020,
IAPAR INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
The Masterclass theme was finding relevance in art today as one of the most critical challenges. What exactly are transformation and connectivity,
and what are our opportunities?
Conducted by Tatjana Ažman SC ITI.
THE SHOW MUST BE ONLINE: #STAY@HOME,
PANDEMIC PROOFING INNOVATIONS
14. 9. 2021, 3rd Mitambo International Theatre Festival Online
MIME ART & EDUCATION FACING CHALLENGES OF TODAY
20. 12. 202O
An online Event was organized by the National Academy for Theatre and Film "Krastyo Sarafov" (NATFA) in Sofia to celebrate 30 years of mime education at the NATFA.
Supported by the WMO and ITI-WMO Physical Theatre Working Group.
PAST ACTIVITIES
2020 – 2022 ZOOM EVENTS WITH SC ITI PARTICIPATION
PAST ACTIVITIES
SC ITI LEADERSHIP AND BOARD MEMBERS
Tatjana Ažman /
President /
Acclaimed dramaturg of the
Slovenian National Theatre Opera and Ballet Ljubljana,
theatrologist and playwright,
Director and Artistic leader of
Oder - Stage, Cultural Institute for Performing Arts, Ljubljana
Dr Rok Andres /
Vice President /
Dramaturg, Critic and
Artistic Director of Šentjakob Theatre Ljubljana
Staša Mihelčič /
Secretary General /
Dramaturge and Theatre Project Leader at
Cankarjev dom, Cultural and Congress Centre Ljubljana
Karmina Šilec
Conductor, Director-Author, Composer,
Artistic Director of
Carmina Slovenica and
New music theatre Choregie
Neda Rusjan Bric
Director, Actress, Playwright,
Leader of winning candidate city and
Artistic leader of European Culture Capital Nova Gorica – Gorizia 2025
Nataša Berce
Critic, Publicist, Dramaturge,
Chief Editor of Ballet Through Lines Web Platform at
Association of Slovenian Ballet Artists
Matjaž Farič
Director and Choreographer,
Artistic Director of
Institute Flota and
Front@ Festival
Aleš Valič
Actor and Professor at
Academy for Theatre, Radio, Film and TV,
University of Ljubljana
Lea Kukovičič
Theatre Director,
Performer and Dramaturge
Nina Kuclar Stiković
Dramaturge and Playwright
Jakob Ribič
Dramaturg, Young Researcher at
Academy for Theatre, Radio, Film and TV,
University of Ljubljana
Simon Stanojevič /
Arts Administration Support /
Sociologist and Art Historian