Being an Artist

“Being an Artist: A Celebration Of Choice” is a series of events aimed at facilitating an encounter and creative dialogue among independent artists working in contemporary dance, physical theatre, and other alternative movement practices. It is an initiative of Muzotanz Dance Company – link.

The workshop delves into the life of a freelance dancer and the various artistic roles and avatars that a “dancing freelancer” may assume – whether by choice or necessity.

What is the experience of being a freelance artist like in Bulgaria or abroad? What lifestyle does it entail? Where are the challenges encountered? What compromises must be made? What are the advantages and disadvantages of the profession? Is there a sense of community? And if so, where do you fit into it? What are your needs, losses, and gains? Why choose dance? If given the chance, would you make a different choice? And amidst all these considerations, where does your love for dance persist? Are you celebrating your choice?

Through improvisational tasks, creative exercises, dance, and role-playing, we explore these questions and more, seeking answers together.

For updates on upcoming events, follow: Muzotanz Dance Company

Ina Gerginova

Idea and realization

Ina Gerginova is a choreographer, dancer, actress, and teacher. She is interested in interdisciplinary and experimental art forms. Ina is the founder of Muzotanz Dance Company, which focuses on social engagement in the arts. The main tool of expression in her work as a choreographer is contemporary dance. In her last two performances (“Plast-tonia” and “Differsonalities”), she explores the use of dance dramaturgy, large-scale scenography, and cinematic approaches in theatre. Ina also practices playback theatre and works as a voice-over artist.

In 2022, she directed her first short dance film, “Inner Room,” which received a nomination for IMPULS (Annual awards of the professional dance community in Bulgaria). Ina Gerginova graduated from NATFA “Krastyo Sarafov” with a BA in Dance Theatre in 2013. Since then, she has worked with many Bulgarian and foreign choreographers and participated in numerous workshops with world-renowned teachers such as David Zambrano, Francisco Cordova, Rob Hayden, Marion Sparber, Alan Fuentes-Guerra, and Fighting Monkey, among others. She takes part in prestigious international forums and festivals. In 2022, she received a scholarship for the largest international dance festival, ImPulsTanz, in a training program for choreographers – ATLAS.

Ina created the platforms Muzotanz: Live (a series of improvised dance performances with live music), M.U.T.E (laboratories for experimental collaboration between artists from different fields), and the online platform for socially engaged contemporary arts – Move for Change. In 2022, Ina also created the interactive dance format Danceperimental.

Ina has been involved in playback theater for 10 years (as an actress and a conductor). She is the co-founder of the Storycatchers Association. Her master’s degree in Artistic Psycho-Social Practices and Psychodrama enriches her creative vision, knowledge of group dynamics, and management of artistic processes, and develops her interest in psycho-social work with art. She creates and conducts various seminars for professional artists, amateurs, people interested in theater and dance, and groups with different needs. Ina is inspired, motivated, and driven by the belief that art is for the people, it should be accessible, and it should “speak” about things that usually remain unspoken.