Isidora Stanišić (Belgrade, August 14, 1975) is a Serbian contemporary dancer, choreographer, dance pedagogue and advocate for the development of contemporary dance. He represents one of the central figures on the contemporary dance scene in Serbia, with a career marked by contributions through performance, creation and pedagogy. Her work is closely connected with the "Lujo Davicho" Ballet School, Bitef Dance Company and Stanica - a service for contemporary dance, of which she is one of the founders. She is known as an important artistic creator, critical voice and active advocate who shapes the discourse on the status and future of contemporary dance in Serbia.
She received her formal artistic education at the "Lujo Davičo" Ballet School in Belgrade, where she was declared a "student of the generation". While still in school, she was engaged in performances of the classical ballet repertoire at the National Theater in Belgrade.
After graduating from ballet school, he decides to devote himself to contemporary dance expression. He receives several significant scholarships for training abroad:
Scholarship of the National Choreographic Center in Montpellier (France).
Scholarship Impulstanz Vienna International Dance Festival in Vienna (Austria).
Scholarship of the Goethe Institute for Global Dance in Dusseldorf (Germany).
Participation in numerous workshops and stays in leading European centers for contemporary dance broadened her artistic horizons and influenced her subsequent innovative approach.
At one time, she was also a third-year student at the Faculty of Culture and Media (Cultural Management) at Megatrend University. This interest in cultural management is connected with her later criticisms of institutional support for dance and the founding of the Station - a service for contemporary dance.
Performing work
She participated in numerous contemporary dance and drama performances. She also performed her own solo works such as "Evergreen Eve" and participated in her ensemble performances such as "Skanderbeg". For her performing work, she was awarded at the international contemporary shoulder competition in Treviso, Italy.
Pedagogical work
She worked as a pedagogue at the "Lujo Davičo" Ballet School in the contemporary dance department. Her students won prizes at international competitions. She was the author of the national letter on the occasion of World Game Day 2020.
Bitef Dance Company
She achieved significant cooperation with Bitef Dance Company, the first troupe of contemporary dance in Serbia linked to a cultural institution. In addition to creating her own plays for the company (eg "Paranoia Chic", "Space for Revolution", "Skanderbeg"), she also worked as a rehearser, for example for the play "Birds" by Edward Klug. She later publicly pointed out the financial difficulties the company faced in obtaining funding from the Ministry of Culture, despite its importance.
Station - service for contemporary dance
As a response to the lack of systemic support for contemporary dance, Isidora Stanišić became one of the founders of Stanica - a service for contemporary dance. The station has become an important hub of the independent dance scene, supporting productions (e.g. "Evergreen Eve", "Road to Damascus"), organizing Kondenz - a festival of contemporary dance and performance, providing space for work (Magacin u Kraljevića Marko - MKM) and participating in international networks (Nomad Dance Academy, apap - Feminist Future).
Choreographic work
Isidora Stanišić has created choreographies for various contexts: from the National Theater in Belgrade and Bitef Theater, through independent productions with the support of Station and other venues (KPGT, DOB, UK Vuk Karadžić), to work in children's theaters and regional theaters (Užice National Theater, Niš Puppet Theater). Her performances have been performed at festivals in the country and abroad (Budva Grad-Teatar, INFANT, BELEF, Balkanska Platforma, LOFT Leipzig, Les Balkans Orleans).
