Contemporary dance choreographer and dancer Agnija Šeiko (Sarulienė) is recognisable for her interdisciplinary approach, distinctive aesthetics, sensitive social topics, and a variety of forms.
She is an artistic director of the Šeiko Dance Company (previously called Dance Company PADI DAPI Fish), professor at the Lithuanian Music and Theatre academy, and one of the organisers of the contemporary art festival PlArtforma in Klaipėda, Lithuania.
She has studied choreography at the Rotterdam Dance Academy (The Netherlands), has a bachelor’s degree in choreography and a master’s degree in theatre studies in Lithuania.
Agnija’s creative works have received numerous national nominations and awards. In 2012, she received the highest national theatre award as the best choreographer of the year, and in 2015, she received a prestigious national award for her interdisciplinary works.
The choreographer’s dance performances have been shown at festivals Litauen Tanzt (Berlin, Germany), Kids Euro (Washington, USA), Guangzhou International Family Theater Festival, Guangdong Children Theatre Festival, International Shanghai Dance Center (China), Bozaar (Czech Republic), Unidram (Germany).
Dance performance “No Space at the Parking Lot”
Choreography by Agnija Šeiko
Premiere: 2012
Dance performance for kids “White lullaby”
Choreography by Agnija Šeiko
Premiere: 2014
Performance “Dior ir Moscow”
Idea, choreography by Agnija Šeiko, Ingrida Gerbutavičiūtė
Premiere: 2016
Co-production
Dance and music performance “The Seasons”
Šeiko dance company together with Klaipeda Cello Quartet
Choreography by Agnija Šeiko
Premiere: 2017
Dance and music performance “My Peter Pan”
Šeiko dance company together with Klaipeda Cello Quartet
Choreography by Agnija Šeiko
Premiere: 2018
Dance performance “Declare – Brandir“
Šeiko dance company with Caen Normandy National Choreography Center, France
Choreography by Alban Richard, Agnija Šeiko
Premiere: 2018
Collaboration with dance companies, theatres
As choreographer:
- Šeiko dance company (former PADI DAPI Fish)
- Rotterdam’s dance academy, The Netherlands
- Art group Fish Eye
- Klaipėda Musical Theatre
- Lithuanian National Opera and Ballet Theatre
- Klaipėda Drama Theatre
- Lithuanian National Drama Theatre
- Dance studio Arabesque, Belgium
- International network “Identity move”
- International network “Band expanded”
- International network “DNA”
- Arts Printing House
As dancer:
- Dance performance “Nakties mirgėjimas“ [“Flicker of the Night”], Ugnė Dievaitė and Šeiko dance company
- Dance performance “Baltoji Lopšinė“ [“White lullaby”], Šeiko dance company
- Performance/journey “Lucky Lucy”, Šeiko dance company with Annika Ostwald
- Performance “Dior in Moscow”, Šeiko dance theatre
- Dance performance “Pareiškiu – Brandir“ [“Declare – Brandir”], Šeiko dance company with Caen Normandy National Choreography Center, France
- Dance performance “Kambariai. Istorijos be pabaigos” [“Rooms. Endless Stories”], Šeiko dance company
- Dance performance “Paikos mergaitės maldos“ [“Prayers of a Silly Girl”], Šeiko dance company
Collaboration with artists
- Director Gytis Padegimas
- Director Agnius Jankevičius
- Director Jonas Vaitkus
- Director Karina Novikova
- Choreographer Ugnė Dievaitytė
- Choreographer Alban Richard
International tours
As choreographer:
- Litauen Tanzt (Berlin, Germany)
- Kids Euro (Washington, USA)
- Beijing International Theatre Festival (China)
- Guangzhou International Family Theatre Festival (China)
- Guangdong Children Theatre Festival (China)
- Myniang Theatre Festival (China)
- International Shanghai Dance Centre (China)
- Unidram (Potsdam, Germany)
- Bozzar (Prague, Czech Republic)
- Dance City (Newcastle, UK)
- Bora Bora (Aarhus, Denmark)
- Zelionka Fest (Kiev, Ukraine)
- Dance festival in Corsica (France)
- International Dance Fair Tanzmesse NRW (Dusseldorf, Germany)
- Mousonturm (Frankfurt, Germany)
- Mala Inventura (Prague, Czech Republic)
- Tanec Praha (Prague, Czech Republic)
- Baltic Bubble (Tallinn, Estonia)
- “Lucky Lucy” tour (Reykjavik, Oslo, southern Sweden, Berlin)
- Xi’an International Theatre Festival for Children (China)
- Lithuanian Story – Culture Festival in Tel Aviv (Israel)
As dancer:
- Litauen Tanzt (Berlin, Germany)
- Kids Euro (Washington, USA)
- Bozzar, international dance and theatre festival (Prague, Czech Republic)
- Guangzhou International Family Theatre Festival (China)
- Guangzhou Children Theatre Festival (China)
- International Shanghai Dance Centre (China)
Awards
- 2018 – Lithuanian theatre award “Golden Stage Cross” for the dance and music performance for youth “My Peter Pan” (Category: Performances for kids and youth)
- 2016 – Choreographer of the Year (award by the Lithuanian Contemporary Dance Association)
- 2015 – The award of Borisas Dauguvietis for directing and choreography of “Travelling Churches. Klaipėda tranzit Memel”, a contemporary dance and sound play/tour, and for her work in interdisciplinary arts throughout the decade
- 2012 – Prestigious Klaipėda Theatre’s award for the play “Dykra” [“Uninhabitable area”]
- 2012 – Lithuanian theatre award “Golden Stage Cross” for the choreography of the performance “Aikštelėje laisvų vietų nėra” [“No Space at the Parking Lot”]
- 2010 – Young Artist Award (Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Lithuania)
- 2009 – Lithuanian theatre award “Golden Stage Cross” for the best debut while working with the creators of the opera “Isadora”
Other artistic activity
Educational projects for children, adults, and disabled people. Agnija Šeiko is a lecturer at the Art faculty of the Klaipėda University (Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre since 2018), and at the Arts Academy in Turku, Finland.
