🇪🇺 TEEN European Digital Community: Oak of the Script from Belgrade, Serbia

Oak of the Script

Marija Arsić is a dramaturgy student at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade, with a strong focus on writing and dramaturgy for film and theatre. She is especially interested in creating work for young adolescents and building projects in close dialogue with them. Her work includes theatre and film collaborations, workshops, mentorship programs, and artistic gatherings in Serbia and internationally. She is currently developing new work rooted in young people’s voices, while continuing to grow as a playwright and dramaturg.

The soil / the need

At the beginning, I simply didn’t want to feel empty.

The first seed

A parent / family.

Tell us about that first spark

Yes — I remember that moment very clearly. It happened after my first heartbreak. I felt completely lost and overwhelmed by emotions I didn’t yet know how to process. One evening, I went to see a comedy performance, mostly to distract myself. I didn’t expect much, but something shifted. I laughed sincerely for the first time since the breakup. That moment showed me that theatre could reach me when nothing else could.

Roots (people & experiences that shaped your path)

The most important part of my theatre journey has been the people around me. My friends and partner are my first audience, honest critics, and emotional support. My family gives me the stability to choose this path, even when it feels uncertain. Professionally, workshops organized by ASSITEJ Serbia shaped me deeply — through them, I met inspiring artists and discovered how meaningful theatre for young audiences can be. These experiences strengthened my commitment to collaboration and to this field.

The trunk (what keeps you in theatre)

First of all, love. And institutionally, the place that keeps me most connected to theatre is my faculty — the Faculty of Dramatic Arts in Belgrade.

Branches (future / desire)

This one is easy: I want to be, and I will be, a playwright.

If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be? Why?

An oak — not because it is the oldest or strongest, but because of the ecosystem it creates. I see myself as someone who helps build the conditions for others to grow: reliable, grounded, and deeply rooted in the craft, offering shelter for collaboration and strength for the whole production.

Contact

Email: arsicevamarija@gmail.com
Instagram: @arsiic.marija