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ARTIST'S STATEMENT
"My work is birthed by nakedness and instinct. I am driven by a vision to express what is nameless and what makes us human. I use all my tools as an actress and dancer. Labels do not exist for me. All is possible. Truth is paramount. Onstage, I inhabit a world and invite you in. I love the intimacy and electricity. My art is raw and personal. It is hungry, bloody and spiritual- precise and deliberate like the sword of a warrior...there is no room for ambiguity or doubt. I am part sylph and part animal. I want to pierce your heart and crack it open and if it bleeds and takes flight I've succeeded."
- Suzana Stankovic
MISSION: A Fierce Spirit
I was born to be uniquely me, to love and respect myself and make manifest my highest vision for my life as guided by love and truth. My art is the gateway through which I transcend the conditioning of my smaller self and touch upon FREEDOM.
I was born to make my mark and so were you. I was born to knock down walls and doors that have been sealed shut in order to make way for the light. I am a pioneer and the heroine of my own life.
I was born to break the chains of limitation and fear that have stifled our vast potential, both personal and global.
I was born to inspire individuals to reconnect with their heart and spirit. Without these we're just empty shells adding to the world's despair.
I know that I can lift people up or shoot them down. I want to lift them up!
I was born to live with a fierce spirit so as to overcome adversity and a soft, open heart that I might be of service in the world.
I was born to shine. Life is NOW. Dare to DREAM and dare to DO. - Suzana Stankovic
BIOGRAPHY
Suzana Stanković is a true artist who cannot escape the impulse and instinct to create. She excels as both a formally trained actress and dancer, and as a solo dance-theatre artist with a voice all her own. She brings uncommon depth, vision and daring to the stage and screen and regards herself as mostly a self-made artist- resisting the over-influence of any disciplinary style or trend. Her focus is on the innate Self.
"If you're any kind of artist you usually begin by studying those that came before you, which is fine, except I realized at one point that I had absorbed a lot of unquestioned thought and it was defining me and limiting my art. I needed to break out on my own and excavate my original Self. Breaking away is lonely. I found myself in dark and uncharted territory but it was the only way to begin to know myself and belong to myself. I regard myself as a liberated artist, which never would've happened had I not forged my own path. My life has transformed."
Beginnings
The daughter of Serbian immigrants-turned-entrepreneurs and an only child for seven years, Suzana has always been an independent girl with an intensely active imagination. From the very beginning her favorite question has been 'Why?' often to the frustration of her parents and teachers who'd inevitably run out of answers.
At the age of 12 Suzana quit gymnastics to study ballet, a decision inspired by the sense of sanctuary she discovered there (thanks to her friend Zeffy who dragged her to class on 'Bring A Friend' day).
Born and raised in NYC, Suzana was able to study with world-renowned teachers of dance, perform lead roles with emerging choreographers and as a guest artist with regional ballet companies. For a young professional, things were looking good except, they weren't. Suzana was bored and couldn't understand why.
Wild Animal
At heart, Suzana is a wild animal, a free spirit and an entrepreneur. Her independent nature and hunger for self-expression could never be satiated within the confines of the classical ballet mold despite her deep love for the art itself. Suzana needed to break out on her own! She began choreographing at a young age and it cracked open a whole new world.
Choreography gave Suzana an outlet for her deeply felt inner life and a way to explore the language of her body free of pre-imposed definitions and outside influences. When choreographing, it was just her body and the music and total freedom in a studio all to herself. Anything was possible!
Suzana quickly became a full-fledged member of the NYC dance scene, presenting her choreography on a regular basis, and through gutsy self-promotion, garnered substantial financial support and exposure for her work.
A New World
Suzana was always told by audiences that she was a natural actress and that her emotional depth was a gift that made her stand out from the sea of dancers.
In college Suzana was an English major and while there, she officially discovered the art of drama in the form of an elective, 'Intro. to Acting'. Now there was a place she could ask 'Why?' over and over again and that's not all. Her early drama years gave birth to a whole new question, 'What?' 'What's my motivation?'- and the sound of her own voice onstage...mouth and tongue no longer pressed shut! What a strange and liberating sensation for a dancer trapped in pink tights all her adolescent years!
Affirmation
Suzana realized that so much of what she was learning in drama class was already inside her. She had always performed dance with a clear emotional impetus. Suzana was never just moving her body...she spoke with her body. It was instinctual and natural. "Wow!" she thought. "I'm an actress too" and dived into drama classes, workshops and auditions.
Suzana has performed in numerous plays and films delving deep into herself; reaching, questioning, searching, taking risks, going into unknown territory-- whatever it takes to birth the character.
She is an actress and dancer who craves the edge.
Being of Service
In 2003 Suzana formed The Stanković Ballet Company, a NYC-based non-profit organization whose mission is to create and present bold dance-theater works that speak to our shared humanity. The company is propelled by Suzana's pioneering spirit and is currently in the midst of an ambitious transformation. To learn more visit: www.StankovicBallet.org
Guided by a strong spiritual current in her life, Suzana loves being of service and a source of inspiration to others. Check out her annual inspirational calendar on the 'Boutique' page and her self-written stories of personal growth, which were commissioned by, and featured on Backstage.com, and can be read HERE.
Teaching Artist
In addition to her work on stage and screen, Suzana is a teaching artist. She teaches a variety of classes guided by a core philosophy. Her dance classes are not what you'd find in a typical dance studio. Her goal is to support the student in liberating their unique potential rather than stifling and interfering with it. Along with the principles of correct dance technique, Suzana emphasizes breath, mindfulness, courageousness and positive intention. She seeks to open the door and guide the student toward their own inward journey.
Suzana also teaches 'Movement for the Actor' and artist-empowerment workshops and talks aimed at offering tools and techniques for self-knowledge and personal + professional success. Her next workshop will be on the topic of self-producing, 'Everything You Need To Know To Produce Your Own Show & Why You Must Do It!' Past topics have included, 'Peak Performance: Transcending Blocks, Fears and Doubts' and, 'The Independent Artist: Identity & Mission'. Suzana shares what she has learned on her journey and what has consistently worked for her.
Suzana holds a Bachelor's Degree in English with a minor in secondary education. She is a natural motivator and communicator with a great fascination for human potential. Her most important credential is her indestructible CAN-DO spirit which she aims to inspire in others. Her classes and workshops are rich and transformative on multiple levels. If you're interested, join Suzana's mailing list at the bottom left, or e-mail her directly: Suzana [AT] iAmSuzana.com
How'd She Get that Butt?!
After every performance, people will ask Suzana how she got her butt. No joke!
In 2012 Suzana will launch her unique ballet-based fitness classes for those that want a hot body and positive mind. No movement experience required.
Set to upbeat dance music, participants can expect a butt-kickin' ballet-based workout inspired by Suzana's personal fitness regimen coupled with affirmations and meditation for personal transformation; unifying the powers of the body and mind.
To learn more about Suzana's fitness classes join her mailing list at the bottom left, or e-mail her directly: Suzana [AT] iAmSuzana.com.
Artist. Leader. Humanitarian
In all she does, Suzana strives to inspire individuals to look within and live full out. And she's only getting started.
Life is NOW! Dare, Love, Believe!
~ Suzana Stankovic