Igor Barberić biography: (Zagreb, July 10, 1973) is a Croatian choreographer, director and dancer. He is popular for working on theater musicals and performing in television shows. He is best known to a wider audience as a member of the jury of the dance show Dancing with the stars, and recently appeared as a guest member of the jury in a music show your face sounds familiar. He has more than 50 theater performances throughout Europe, and as a choreographer and director, he has been awarded numerous times at the prestigious Croatian theater awards. Find out details about his education, career and interesting things from life below.
Early life and education
Igor Barberić was born in Zagreb, where he started dancing as a child as a child. He graduated from the Contemporary Dance Studio in Zagreb, and then studied abroad: he attended Dance Academy in Belgium (1991–1993) and perfected at the Broadway Dance Center in New York in 1996. This is how he acquired the musical, dance and acting skills necessary for working in musicals.
Theater and dance career
Barberić’s career is related to big musicals and theater hits – he performed and worked in numerous domestic and foreign productions. Below are some of the more important roles and projects:
- Artist in musicals: As a dancer and singer, he performed in hit musicals all over Europe. Among the most famous roles are Mike Costa in and chorus line (known to us as First-order dancers), Montparnasse in les misérables (poor people), Rum Tum Tugger in CATS (cats), and Johnny Casino, Danny Zuko and Vince Fontaine in Grease (Brilliant) ). He also played Fred Casely in Chicago.
- Choreographer and director in Croatia: After returning to his homeland, Barberić became a sought-after choreographer and director of musicals. He directed and choreographed hits like story from the west side (West Side Story, HNK Zagreb, 2004) and Chicago (Comedy, 2004). In Zagreb’s Komedija Theater, he was the main choreographer and actor in musicals Get off all the way, Aida and Brilliant (grease), a Brilliant also directed. These performances set a record for audiences.
- Choreographer abroad: Barberić also worked in foreign theaters. He created a choreography for world-famous musicals such as Hair, Witches from Eastwick and Mozart! in the Czech Republic, Joseph and his amazing coat of dreams (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat) in Germany, and for La Cage Aux Folles, Evita and Small shop of horror in Finland. This further strengthened the reputation of one of the leading Croatian experts in musicals.
Prizes and awards
- He is the winner Three Croatian Theater Awards – Twice for directing and once for choreography.
- His career has over 50 performances throughout Europe.
television career
In addition to theater, Igor Barberić is also active on television:
- Dancing with the stars: He was a member of the jury of the popular dance show for several seasons Dancing with the stars (Nova TV) where the audience recognized his expertise and warmth.
- Your face sounds familiar: in a music show your face sounds familiar He participated as a dance and drama mentor to the performers, and in a show in 2024 he also sat in the jury chair as a guest judge.
- The stars sing: He won first prize in a music competition The stars sing (HRT, 2024) in which he performed with his mentor Ivana Kindl. The victory in that show awakened his desire to devote himself more to singing and his own musical projects.
- Supertalent: He also acted as a choreographer of dance performances in the show Supertalent (Nova TV).
Personal life and interests
Barberić is known for his modesty and dedication to work. He has been practicing a vegetarian/vegan lifestyle for more than two decades – he has been a vegetarian since 2000, and he introduced veganism about 12 years ago. In his free time, he likes to rest with music, write and play, and travel to destinations such as Amsterdam, New York, Madrid and London. In interviews, he revealed that he currently enjoys relaxing at home, despite his demanding career: ‘My favorite thing is to come home and sleep’.
Conclusion
Igor Barberić continues his rich career: simultaneously editing new theater projects (currently directed by a musical SIX in comedy) and plans musical innovations after winning in They sing to the stars. As a popular jury member and creative with a wide range of talent, he continues to attract the attention of the audience. If you are interested in more about his new projects, follow the theater’s and television shows – and in the meantime leave a comment with which performance or collaboration Igor Barberić delighted you the most!
