Today we’d like to introduce you to Kaja Stiglic.
Kaja, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I was born in Slovenia, Europe, just 45 min from the northern Italian border, on the sunny side of the Alps.
Fun family facts: My father and grandfather are acclaimed film directors – grandfather France Stiglic pioneered the first full length feature film in Slovenia, “On Our Own Land” (1948) and his film “The Valley Of Peace” (1956) won best actor in Cannes Film Festival, followed by “The Ninth Circle” (1960) which got a nomination for an Oscar, in the Best Foreign-Language Film category.
I took my first steps in the entertainment industry at age 3, in a movie “Between Fear and Duty”(1975) where I played an orphan (don’t really remember much!). My Mom enrolled me at The Ballet School Of Slovenia, where my love for dance began. After completion of 8 years curriculum, I was accepted to The Slovenian National Opera and Ballet Theatre.
I was also featured in 2 motion pictures during my early teenage years, “Summer In A Sea Shell” (1985) and it’s sequel, “Summer In A Sea Shell 2”(1988). The films drew high acclaim in Europe and are a big part of Slovenian Pop Culture to this day. Through it all, I remained a ballerina at heart and right after finishing high school a dance scholarship took me to London, England, where I attended The Urdang Academy Of Performing Arts in Covent Garden. After graduating I joined The London Lewis Ballet Company.
I then packed a big red Samsonite suitcase and continued my journey on to America to pursue my dreams, hanging up my point shoes and trading them in for jazz shoes. I joined Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago, where I learned all about the “Jazz hand”, touring nationally and internationally. I went on to dance with Joseph Holmes Chicago Dance Theater, Randy Duncan Choreography and The James Kelly Choreography Project.
Then I decided that before I get too old I really should explore other avenues of the show biz industry, so I added modeling and commercial work to my resume. The next natural progression in my career was Choreography, Directing and Producing… Voilà! There it was, my newfound passion that ultimately led me to create Stage Factor.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
After working as a freelance choreographer/director/producer for various production companies nationwide, I launched Stage Factor right at the start of the recession. Most every entrepreneur will agree and tell you that starting a new business is a beast, not for the faint at heart and can be quite a rollercoaster. Thrilling and terrifying at the same time, 24-7 commitment to say the least. I had a strong background and understanding of this industry when I walked into it, was confident in the product I can offer and create. I had a vision in place for Stage Factor.
However, entertainment was the first thing to get cut with budgets suddenly not being where they used to be; you will always need food, beverage and venue to have a live event, however, entertainment and any additional bells and whistles were not a priority during that time. So that certainly was an unexpected set back right at the start… However, what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and Stage Factor persevered, survived and thrived!
This year we are celebrating 10 years in business and are thankful to our clients for all the amazing opportunities. We are extra thankful to our wonderful roster of talent & artists, the movers and shakers of our industry who inspire us and make us look great. We couldn’t flourish without their talent, expertise and enthusiasm!
What are some of the things we have learned along the way, you ask?:
-Blood, sweat and tears do pay off
-Less is more, more is more
-Go with the flow, roll in the deep, shimmy backwards if needed and get. things. done.
-Feathers are never overrated
-Glue gun is the right weapon of choice
-Live, laugh, inspire and then create some more
-Chocolate IS the answer to everything
The show must go on. Period.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Stage Factor is a Chicago based boutique production company that specializes in transforming your event vision into a reality. We provide turnkey entertainment solutions guaranteed to engage audiences and bring brands to life. In short, we design event entertainment and it’s production elements.
From a special event and gala to a corporate event or fashion show, we do it all – drawing on our extensive experience and creativity, working closely with a team of professionals qualified in all aspects of successful event production. From concept to completion, it’s all in the details and we are paying attention.
We developed a robust talent bank of entertainment professionals and resources to enable unique experiences and cater to a wide range of client needs. We have a full roster of choreographers and performers, which includes professional dancers, models, brand ambassadors and greeters, actors and musical theater performers, musicians, specialty acts and unique talent.
At Stage Factor, we stop at nothing to ensure your vision is realized and achieved.
What were you like growing up?
Always with a spoon in a Nutella jar. Shared the love for dance and fashion with my mom. Really loved anything “dance” and “ballet” I could get my hands on and see… Any kind of dance movie, lots of paper clippings on my walls, music playing…
Flashdance was big, leg warmers, Solid Gold Dancers fascination (probably still have those VHS tapes somewhere back home). Played piano, listened to lots of classical music and other music – really love most music genres to this day. The right song makes the world of difference in telling a story and can make or break a show!
I had a thing for saving animals. Would bring home little ants in a matchbox so no one would step on them. And snails (giving them names), occasional frog in a jar, had a water turtle and guinea pigs at times. We lived in a high-rise building, not that much space really but we had a small terrace so that became my make-believe zoo oasis. Had a thing for Koalas too but that clearly wasn’t an option.
I drew a map on the wall by my bed (with wallpaper!) of all the places I want to go and have traveled to. Loved spending time with my dad at the old film studios and in the editing room where the magic happens. Which probably led and inspired me to direct a few short films for various events later on in life.
I left home pretty early on as a teenager and my parents, as well as my sister, always encouraged me to live my dream and go for it. And looking back now, I realize just how lucky I was to have their unconditional support.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.stagefactor.com
- Phone: 312.226.7500
- Email: info@stagefactor.com
- Instagram: @stagefactor
- Facebook: facebook.com/stagefactor
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