Ηλεάνα Μπάλλα

I was born in Athens in 1978 and grew up in the area of Palaio Faliro in Athens.

I was still an embryo when I have firstly come into contact with dancing...

Being the daughter of a dancer I was lucky enough to live both in  Theater and Dance since I was born...

At the age of three, I began dancing and I have no intention of ever stopping it! Living within the School and keeping a watchful eye on its happenings, another kind of dance has began to enchant me as well.

So, apart from the basics (Μusic and Movement Education and Ballet), I was taught  Graham, release, jazz, musical, latin, tango argentino, yoga, pilates, flamenco, capoeira, African dance and  tribal belly dance. The time being on the stage has always been one of the happiest moments of my life. I have participated ed in all 17 performances that have taken place since  1981 till today and dancing and performing different roles has been my deepest emotional experience.

Watching from very close all of my father’s performances and dancing in the performances my mother organized I expressed my need to study dancing by  firstly addressing to my mother and, then, my wish to study theatre and drama by addressing to my father.  Both have firmly denied. Thsi was due their fear that I was to select my most familiar professions  before  discovering the whole spectrum of my interests. Both of my parents had a strong belief that one’s profession occurs to be a decisive factor  for happiness.My own happiness.

Nevertheless I have studied theatre and drama  and worked as an actress for a number of years. I was lucky enough to fulfill my dream, play in the ancient Theatre of Epidaurus, in the Herodion, in the Central Scene of the National Theatre. I have collaborated with actors that were my previous model protypes like G. Michalakopoulos, R. Pittaki, K. Gerou, etc.

In the meantime, my father became a Theatrical Production Manager (Producer) and bought the Theater “Katerina Vasilakou”. I was asked to undertake the responsibility  and the management of Theatre  Productions. So, I got the opportunity to explore all of the Theatre’s aspects, further than the acting and drama field.

In more detail:

  • 2018 - 19: “Τhe Blackbird Prince and the Nightingale’s  singing” in Theatre “OLVIO”.
  • 2018 - 19: Production Manager in the Performance  “One  Dance Class” in Theatre “Thiseion”.
  • 2018: Production Manager in the Performance  “Beginning” in Theatre “104”.
  • 2018: Theater Manager in “Ilissia - Volanakis”, production management of the performance  “Misery”
  • 2017 - 18: Theatre Manager  in “Ilissia - Volanakis”, production management of the performance       “ A Dog named Horror”.
  • 2017: Theatre Manager in “Ilissia - Volanakis”, production management of the performance   “Out of Limits”.
  • 2016 - 17: Theatre Manager in “Ilissia - Volanakis”, production management of the performance   “Ring”.
  • 2015 - 16: Manager of “Ilissia - Volanakis” Theatre.
  • 2014 - 15: “The Beloved of the Shepherdess”, by D. Koromilas in Pallas Theatre.
  • 2013 - 14: “ The Lunatic of Sayo” in the Central Scene of the National Theatre.
  • 2012 - 13: “You love me not. You love me.”, by P. Zoulia in the Theatrical Organization “Acropol”.
  • 2011 - 12: Production Management in the performance “ Aunt and Me”,  by M. Panitz in the Theatre “Katerina Vasilakou”.
  • 2011: “He and He”,  by K. Moursela in DH.PE.THE of the city of Kozani.
  • 2010: “Plutus” by Aristophanes , with the Kuhn Art Theater in Epidaurus.
  • 2009 - 10: “ In a close familhy circle” by Al. Ostrofski in the Theatre of “Katerina Vasilakou”.
  • 2008: “ Two lips, three seas, forty five lemons and all the castles”, based on the Theatre “Lands with a Voice.”
  • 2008: Production Management in the performance “ Koutroulis’ Wedding” by A. Raggavi.
  • 2007 - 08: “Filoumena Marturano”, by E. De Fillippo in the Theatre “Katerina Vasilakou”.
  • 2007: “ Thesmophoriazousai” by Aristophanes in the ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.
  • “ An Event Dedicated to Charles Baudelaire» (poetry narration) in the National Gallery.
  • 2006 - 07: “Da”, by Leonard in the Theatre “Katerina Vasilakou”.
  • 2005 - 06: "Don Quixote”, by M. De Thervantes in the National Theatre.
  • 2003 - 04: “The Land of the Birds” deriving from “Ornithes” (Birds) by Aristophanes in the National Theatre.
  • 2002: “Lysistrates”by Aristophanes in the ancient Theatre of Epidaurus..

While I was performing for the Children’s Spot of the National Theatre, I realized that art is the best way to teach a child essential values through entertainement. At the same time,  art provides the opportunity to leave reality  for a while and make a journey, an escape...

Nevertheless, dance remained for me both the most important way of expression  and the most effective means of therapy.

Being equally occupied with both art forms I strongly feel that dance as an art is more immediate – due to the absence of words-  and more freely expressed, thus becoming a spring of release.

In June 2019,  I undertook my first dance teacher’s School management! That is, my mother’s! The woman who gave birth to me had no intention of  excusing me as far as the result of my work was concerned. We collaborated for nine months: since the very first moment I realized  that the struggle would be a great one. She trusted me but I ought to prove that I was worthy of this position. It was hard enough... . She was very demanding and very much interested in the excellence of the  result.

So, I had to win over “egos”, address the human  natural tendency of remaining a “child” opposite to the “parent”  and, even, collide with him or her. This way I was taught in practice  the value of real collaboration  and realize that  gradual trust is not to be freely given but, rather, it is to be earned.

Since  the month of June, when  I took over  the School’s management I eagerly began to realize my dreams! After a small renovation of the space,  I renamed the School “ Dance Drops” and I added classes that can make us fly literally and metaphorically.

Our aim is – with tones of love drops- to travel all together in the space of the School, both children and adults, in an “oasis” of relaxation, expression, creation  and communication within  a climate of  trust.

So, farewell for the time being. Till we meet again this year !