Matjaž Pograjc


Matjaž Pograjc is a Slovenian theatre director and one of Slovenia's most prominent theatre artists.

Life and work

Studies in theatre and radio direction. In 1990, he founded the Betontanc group, with which he develops and researches choreographical and physical forms of stage expression, employing ideologically oriented themes – especially from the world of urban adolescence. Another important part of his research is dedicated to verbal theatrical structure; with the aid of the Mladinsko Theatre ensemble, Pograjc explores a directional concept based on original interpretations of contemporary dramatic texts or the contributions of the acting team. His method of interpretation involves different genres of pop culture, under which he discovers modern archetypal models of a lost civilization, chaos, violence and cruelty.

Major works

  • Mladinsko Theatre:
  • Bernard-Marie Koltès: Roberto Zucco, 1996Butterendfly.A Place I've Never Been, 1996.
  • D. Z. Frey: Tirza, 1997.Who's Afraid of Tennessee Williams?, 1999.The House of Bernarda Alba, 2003.
  • Daša Doberšek, Branko Jordan, Nataša Matjašec: Luluby, 2004.
  • Tena Štivičić: Fragile!, 2005.
  • Fabio Rubiano O.: The Whale’s Belly, 2006.Love to Death, 2007.
  • Betontanc:Poets without Pockets, Ljubljana, 1990.Romeo and Juliet, Ljubljana, 1991.Every Word a Gold Coin Worth, Ljubljana, 1992.Wet Hanky Thieves, Ljubljana, Angers, 1993.Know Your Enemy!, Ljubljana, 1995.On Three Sides of Heaven, Ljubljana, 1997.The Secret Sunshine Schedule, Bunker Productions, Ljubljana, 1999.Midnight Meat Flight, 2000.Maison des rendez-vous, Ljubljana, Rennes, 2002.Wrestling Dostoievsky, Vienna, 2004.Everybody for Berlusconi, Junghollandia and Betontanc, 2004.Show Your Face!, Betontanc and Umka.LV, 2006.

Honours, awards and recognitions