UP THE LADDER OF SUCCESS WITH ILINA CHOREVSKA: “I DIDN’T ATTEMPT TO ESCAPE FROM MY FATHER’S SHADOW; INSTEAD, I AIMED TO FOLLOW AND CONTINUE HIS PATH”
After two decades of relentless dedication, featuring in over 50 premieres and portraying numerous characters, Ilina Chorevska continues to perform with unwavering enthusiasm on the stage of the National Theater of Bitola. Her presence has left an enduring impression, establishing her as one of the most prolific and recognizable acting figures in the Bitola theatrical scene. Her unwavering commitment to the craft is underscored by the collection of awards she has garnered. This year, she added two more accolades for the best female role at the 57th Macedonian Theater Festival “Vojdan Chernodrinski” in Prilep and at the 20th International Theater of Ancient Drama “Stobi” in Veles. These awards recognize her exceptional portrayal of the character Medeja in the play “My Name is Medeja,” directed by Slovenian director Sebastian Horvat and produced by the National Theater of Bitola.
– It’s a character that demands utmost concentration and a state of relaxation in performance to capture all its facets. Complex and challenging to portray, yet, on the other hand, I feel a sense of security when I portray it because it’s crafted from my profound personal emotions. Medeja and Lina share many similarities – expresses Chorevska.
“My Name is Medeja” portrays a narrative of female empowerment, featuring Chorevska as the central protagonist – an economic migrant from the Balkans to Switzerland. Within the play, she grapples with the harsh and impersonal bureaucracy on one side and the corruption of her ex-husband on the other. Medeja endures a struggle where each step seemingly plunges her deeper into despair. Despite reaching a moment of utter helplessness, she discovers a glimmer of hope beyond her previous boundaries. This revelation unveils that genuine strength is always derived from connections with others, rather than within the confines of her previous experiences.
My childhood was akin to a fairy tale simply because I grew up within the realm of the theater
Being the daughter of Boris Chorevski, a renowned figure in Macedonian acting, and the granddaughter of Olga Naumovska, a leading performer at the National Theater in Bitola, Ilina was introduced to the theater at an incredibly young age, being less than two months old at the time.
– Perhaps when you breathe in the essence of the theater, it becomes an indispensable part of you, almost like a positive addiction. As soon as I started speaking, I declared my ambition to become an actress. Over time, it shifted from “I’m going to be an actress” to a resolute “I’m going to be an actress, period,” despite the attempts of many, notably my father, who encouraged me to pursue another art form. However, my determination to become an actress remained steadfast – expresses Chorevska.
She added that the theater has always been and continues to be the most magical place where anything becomes possible.
– I often found myself hiding among the wardrobes containing the actresses’ costumes, imagining how I would wear them on stage. My childhood was indeed a fairy tale because I grew up within the theater. I’m familiar with every hidden corner of the National Theater in Bitola, and I often jest that I could navigate through it even in complete darkness. In essence, the theater is my sanctuary – she adds.
I learned from a young age that in the theater, you can experience death without actually ceasing to live
Even during her childhood, she actively engaged in several theater productions, such as “Compatriots,” “Gypsies,” “Balkan is not dead,” among others. One vivid memory stands out from the rehearsal of “Balkan is not dead,” where in the final scene, children were positioned at the forefront while Osman was meant to shoot Cveta behind them. When the gunshot sound effect occurred, she felt as though someone had actually shot her. Waiting for the curtain to fall, she was deeply shaken and began crying due to the shock. It was in that moment she realized the powerful illusion of experiencing death in the theater without actually ceasing to live.
I didn’t attempt to escape from my father’s shadow; instead, I aimed to follow and continue his path
– For me, my father was always just a father. As a child, I felt a sense of pride when I mentioned him in conversation, and everyone recognized him. Regarding acting and his advice for specific roles, I rarely heeded his counsel because our sensibilities are entirely different. I wasn’t attempting to step out of his shadow but aimed to honor and continue his path to the best of my abilities. I admire his effortless stage presence, whereas I tend to struggle a bit more to achieve results due to my perfectionist nature; I’m never entirely content with what I’ve done – expresses Chorevska.
Her grandmother Olga Naumovska (1927-1999) is commemorated for her theatrical prowess, displaying precision and grace that radiated on stage. However, she didn’t live long enough to witness her niece become an actress and to sarcastically scold her in her sharp, piercing voice, as she was known to do. “On stage, she possessed a commanding presence, while at home, she was the most tender woman I knew, someone to whom I entrusted all my secrets – adds Ilina.
The actor must nurture the enthusiasm of a child while crafting a role
Immersed in the enchantment of theater, she actively engaged in various amateur plays during high school. One production that brings her immense joy to recall is “MME Who Started First,” directed by Dejan Projkovski. Notably, many of her fellow amateur actors from that time eventually transitioned into becoming professional actors.
– After completing high school, I faced a year-long wait before enrolling at the Faculty of Dramatic Arts. However, this did not deter my aspiration to become an actress. I joined Vladimir Milchin’s class, where I eventually graduated. Initially, there were numerous applicants for only nine spots, leading to the expansion of the class to thirteen, including me. Graduating with the highest GPA of my cohort, the lessons I learned from Professor Milchin about acting are invaluable. One key lesson is that an actor must consistently nurture the enthusiasm of a child when portraying a role, and I earnestly strive to embody this approach – shares Chorevska.
The National Theater in Bitola will forever remain my foremost choice and love
After graduating, she faced an eight-year wait for employment opportunities but persisted in acting in various plays. It was a period filled with uncertainty, yet it provided her with invaluable life lessons and insights into acting. Her debut in a professional play was in “Forever and another day” in 2004, directed by Martin Kochovski. This collaboration with Kochovski played a significant role in shaping her theatrical body of work, as they went on to collaborate on more than ten plays together.
– I’ve had the opportunity to perform in theaters both in Prilep and Veles, yet I never hesitated about my desire to work in the Bitola theater, which will always remain my foremost choice and love. Even in twenty years, I would opt for the National Theater in Bitola as my home stage once again because, in my opinion, it’s the finest theater in our country – she expresses.
There is no specific formula for success, you have to be honest and consistent
Regarding the acting profession, she emphasizes the significance of continuous self-improvement and personal development, stating that talent alone is insufficient. With an impressive repertoire of fifty premieres, some of her favorite roles include Anna Balike in “Drums in the night,” Lily in “The other side,” Varya in “The cherry orchard,” Anna Karenina in “Karenina made in Macedonia,” Agava in “Bacchus – Breakdown brief,” Katarina in “Demons,” Gloria in “They shoot horses, don’t they?,” and Medeja in “My name is Medeja.” Additionally, she highlights a few favorite plays such as “Hamlet machine,” “Dr. Faust,” “Drunkens,” “Crazy for love,” and “Maids.”
– There isn’t a specific formula for success; I believe it’s essential to be sincere and dedicated to the profession you choose, learning from both your own and others’ mistakes, and not shying away from exploring the unknown. Personally, I derive immense pleasure from being on stage and in front of an audience. The sense of fulfillment following a well-executed performance is an incomparable experience.
I dedicate the award from the “Stobi” Festival to my mother
Her illustrious acting career has been adorned with numerous accolades, including the Grand Prix awards at the “Mono-Act” festival in Kosovo for her monodrama “Antigone – Tonight I must be brave” in 2009. In 2015, her portrayal of Karenina in “Karenina made in Macedonia” earned her a nomination for Actress of the Year by the newspaper “Dnevnik.” In 2022, at the 30th ITF “Risto Shishkov” in Strumica, she was honored with a Special Award for her outstanding acting achievement in the role of Katarina in the play “Demons.” Additionally, her portrayal of Medeja in the play “My name is Medeja” garnered her two awards this year. While accepting the award for Best Female Role at the “Stobi” Festival, she dedicated it to her mother, who has been unwell recently.
– I’ve never regarded art as something that can be quantified by awards; it’s inherently subjective. What one person admires may hold no value for another. Nonetheless, awards serve as a form of encouragement for an actor to further refine their craft. Any future plans? I’ll allow life to surprise me. Looking back, the past year was filled with life’s diverse challenges – both beautiful and profoundly sorrowful. Yet, much like many of the characters I’ve portrayed, I move forward with my head held high, embracing what lies ahead – expresses Chorevska.
Zhaneta Zdravkovska
