Stella Penzo, born 1982, is a practicioner, performer and teacher of Odissi dance in Guru Kelucharan Mohapatra style. After an initial approach to the discipline in Italy in 2010, she had continued her studies at the Srjan Institute in Bhubaneshwar (India).
From 2014 to 2016 she had been a member of the theater company “Teatro Cantiere” based in Pisa, as an actress, performer, Odissi teacher and event organizer.
In 2016 she had been granted the Indian Council of Cultural Relations Scholarship, to deepen her knowledge of dance at the Srjan institute. In summer 2018 she had been hosted by the IKARUS project directed by Carolina Pizarro at the Odin Teatret in Holstebro (Denmark), as Odissi teacher and performer.
In 2018 she had met Guru Pratibha Jena Singh, who introduced her to the Odissi style of Guru Surendra Nath Jena. In 2018 she had also began practicing Kalaripayattu under the guidance of Lakshman Gurukkal in Pondicherry, India. In 2021 she founded the project DANCE IN-IT along with other Italy based performers of indian dance, with whom she had been performing in different locations in Italy.
She currently lives and travels between Italy and India, teaching classes and workshops, working as a freelance performer and continuing her research in the field of performing arts. Her performances has been particularly hosted by: Consulate General of India, Milan (Italy); Festival India – volati, Corte dei Miracoli, Milan (Italy); Odin Teatret, Holstebro (Denmark); Tantrotsav Festival, Auroville (India); Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi (India); Hangar Teatri, Trieste (Italy); Kitchen Independent Theatre, Vicenza (Italy).
Follow Stella on Instagram: @stellapenzo_odissi
Website: stellapenzo.altervista.org (Italian)