Dijana Grbić, Director of the National Theater of Republika Srpska - Theater is not only an artistic expression, but a complex industry

She built her professional career in London as well as an assistant in the education program within the framework of the London International Theater Festival (LIFT), after successfully completing master`s studies in performing arts production. Dijana actively worked on numerous projects and programs in the field of culture with an emphasis on theater and performing arts.

As she points out in the interview for eKapija, directors, actors, scenographers, costume designers, musicians, all are creatives that are most fruitful when you understand them and when you provide them with creative freedom.

- On the other hand, as a manager you also have to navigate within certain business frameworks. The aim of the theater director is to combine those two extremes.

She adds that they strive to make the theater a place for cultural exchange and dialogue, and that for sustainability it is important to build long-term strategies that allow commercial success without compromising artistic integrity.

- My development journey started a long time ago, since I was active in various organizations and associations since my teenage days, work in institutions came later. I worked on numerous projects and programs in the field of culture, with an emphasis on theater and performing arts, out of which I would single out the organization of numerous workshops with renowned European artists (Geraldine Pilgrim, Graeme Miller, Helen Karuna Karan, Jola Cynkutis...), and a special pleasure was the jury at the "Petar Kočić" Theater Fest (2010, 2011) and the International Festival of Young Actors "Zaplet" (2018). That, and the experience gained in international frameworks, allowed me to look at the theater from a wider perspective. Working in the National Theater of the Republic of Srpska represents the culmination of those experiences because there I had the opportunity to apply my knowledge in concrete practice, with the aim of developing and improving culture and art in the region.

- After basic studies at the Academy of Arts in Banja Luka, the journey took me to the UK. I got my MA in Performing Arts Production at Goldsmiths in London. I built my professional career as an assistant in an education program as part of the London International Theater Festival (LIFT). That experience in London was key to my professional development, because I got acquainted with the latest trends in the production of performing arts, which was extremely inspiring. The most important lesson I took away is that art and theater are not just an artistic expression, but also a complex industry requiring serious planning, management and collaboration with various sectors. I learned how to balance artistic freedom and business reality, and how to create a sustainable model for the production and promotion of art.

- Whether you`re running a smaller theater, a city ​​or a national one, as is the case here, you have to understand and love theater. Its complexity is reflected in the subtle threads of human characters and emotions. Directors, actors, scenographers, costume designers, musicians, they are all creative people which are most fruitful when you understand them and when you provide them with creative freedom. On the other hand, as a manager you also have to navigate within certain business frameworks. The aim of the director of the theater is to combine these two extremes, at least that`s how I see it. I want the National Theater of RS to become a center of creativity. We focus on effective resource management, collaboration with local and international partners, and financial stability assurance. We also strive to make theater relevant to the wider social community, that`s why we launched a campaign this theater season "Theatre for everyone" relating to the blind and visually impaired, hearing-impaired persons, disabled persons. We try to make our house accessible to everyone.

- Any constructive criticism is welcome, it has a significant role, but in our context we see that the influence of criticism is somewhat limited. In some instances, reviews can be useful for improving the quality of performances. Also, I would emphasize that we must make a clear distinction between critics and criticizers, unfortunately, there are no adequate theater critics in our country. Media and social networks are also playing an increasingly important role in shaping audiences. However, the most effective marketing and word-of-mouth recommendations are still the most effective. We made sure of that many times, that`s why we can boast that almost all of our performances are sold out and more tickets are always requested. Because of that fact, all of us in the theater can be very proud. At the same time, it is also an encouragement to us to work equally well in the coming period...

- Balancing between finances and art is a challenge, but it is a part which is as important as the art sector. Managing the budget, while taking into account sustainability and creative expression, is not an easy task. NT RS is a republican institution, our responsible ministry is the Ministry of Education and Culture of Republika Srpska with whom we have excellent cooperation, but the theater company has to deal with commercial projects as well, to establish business partnerships, sponsors and friends of the theater. As I said before, we have no problem with ticket sales. Here I would like to emphasize the importance of maintaining a balance between income generation and preserving artistic freedom and the quality of performances.

- Profit and quality don`t have to be in conflict. In order to achieve sustainability, it`s important to build long-term strategies which enable commercial success without jeopardizing artistic integrity. For example, specialized projects or cooperation with private sector partners can lead to increased revenue, while simultaneously enabling the maintenance of high artistic standards.

- My goal is to make the National Theater of the Republic of Srpska even more visible in the cultural life of the region, but also an important center for the development of contemporary theater practices.

We also want the theater to become a place for cultural exchange and dialogue. Recently, we also initiated discussions of institutional theaters in Srpska. Networking within our framework is very important, and NT RS is the base that other theaters in the Republic of Srpska turn to. Recently, NT Istočno Sarajevo performed the first play in its production, we were their support during their work and we are very happy that they successfully placed "Glass Menagerie" on their stage boards. At the opening of the youngest theater in Srpska in May we performed the play "Miss", which won numerous awards, and with it we also performed in St. Petersburg, which was also an extraordinary experience. Anyway there are lots of plans, but we will make them all happen, because as the director Tatjana Mandić Rigonat said on the occasion of the premiere of the play "The Broken Jug", "this theater smells of the desire to work". Therefore, our intentions are clear. We are also always open to new ideas.