„Where's the stage? Can you be certain?
Our eyelashes are the curtain... ”
„Where's the
stage? Can you
be certain? Our
eyelashes are the curtain... ”
Béla Balázs
I believe…
…that I have received the gift of dance as a tool for this life, and I am obliged to use it - to speak and communicate through it.
At the age of 5, the British ice skate dancers’ performance at the Sarajevo Olympics to the music of Bolero completely mesmerized me, because the two dancers breathed in perfect harmony with each other, the music, and the choreography. That was the moment I fell in love with the captivating power of art.
I am Tímea Fülöp, a dancer, choreographer, and teacher. I am a dancer awarded with the Hungarian Bronze Cross of Merit, a performing arts teacher at the Hungarian Dance University’s choreography program, and a graduate of the academy’s Master's program. Since 2001, I have been a member of the Yvette Bozsik Dance Company and have participated in numerous co-productions on both Hungarian and international stages.
Whether I am present as a dancer, teacher, or choreographer in the creative processes, what interests me most is what comes to life from this collaborative work. There is something surprising, something unexpected in it, something that cannot be captured with words, and I believe this exactly is the essence and magic of art.
Awards and Recognitions
Awards
Hungarian Bronze Cross of Merit – In recognition of high-level dance artistry and teaching experience – 2021
Performer Award at the Veszprém Dance Festival – for the performance "Flowers of the Arabian Nights" – 2012
Best Dancer at the Veszprém Festival – A Miss Julie - 2006
Scholarships
Pannónia Scholarship: recent graduate choreographer MA – 2025
Yvette Bozsik Foundation Research Scholarship – 2019-2024
Hungarian State Scholarship – 2015
Viktor Fülöp Dance Scholarship – 2003
Hungarian Diaspora Scholarship – 1999
Media appearances
Múzsaidéző - Hét Nap - Interview with Zsófia Szerda - 2025
Musical Evening - RTV - Reportage by Krisztina Orovec - 2025
Metszetek – Novi Sad Radio – Conversation with Anikó Madár – 2025
Theater as a jewel-box - Soproni Téma - Interview with Réka Madarász - 2023
Mrožek: Widows interview – VácMyLife – Interview with Gábor Smál – 2014
The Dancer
I love that state on stage where everything I do appears effortless, even though I know that behind every movement of mine, there are thousands of days of dancing.
This is a journey that happens upwards and inward, because true freedom lies there – between the movements..
Dance is non-verbal communication and I learned about this mostly from animals. In my childhood, I often observed them. I was enchanted by how natural, sincere, and expressive each and every one of their manifestations was.
This exactly served me as a foundation for learning how we can express ourselves clearly even without words.
I perceive myself as a channel through which everything seeking to manifest flows in a form of movement. If we believe that our body speaks, it unveils an incredible possibility.
I love being on stage and I feel like I can still give to the audience. As a dancer, I look forward to collaboration with directors and choreographers and gaining valuable experience through our work together.
Dance productions
Performances with Yvette Bozsik Dance Company
Dances of Galánta - Istanbul, Turkey - 2024
Wedding - National Dance Theatre (Budapest) - 2023
Veszprém - European Capital of Culture Opening Event - Trinity Square in Veszprém, Hungary - 2023
Kodály/Ligeti Night – Palace of Arts (Budapest) – 2021
Nyaralás - National Dance Theatre (Budapest) - 2021
HA DÔ – Director: Tadashi Endo – National Dance Theatre (Budapest) – 2020
Oedipus – Palace of Arts (Budapest) – 2016
Pulcinella ballet, Stravinsky Marathon – Palace of Arts (Budapest) – 2015
The Evening – MOM Cultural Center, National Dance Theatre, Eger Studio Theatre Dance Festival, National Theatre of Pécs – 2014
Antigone – Palace of Arts (Budapest) – 2014
The Miraculous Mandarin – with the Budafok Dohnanyi Orchestra – Palace of Arts (Budapest) – 2014
Préda – National Dance Theatre (Budapest), Fábry Show – 2013
The Rite of Spring – National Dance Theatre (Budapest) – 2013
Orpheus and Eurydice – Palace of Arts (Budapest) – 2012
Flowers of the Arabian Nights – National Dance Theatre (Budapest) – 2012
Stravinsky Night: The Wedding, The Firebird – Palace of Arts (Budapest) – 2011
Abstract Green – Solent Southampton University, England – 2011
Group Therapy – Hungarian Institute in Paris, France – 2011
Pikk Tango 39 – Treff Festival in Tallinn, Estonia – 2010
Death and the Maiden – Palace of Arts (Budapest) – 2009
La traviata – National Dance Theatre (Budapest) – 2008
Soul Dance – co-production with the Tánceánia Ensemble, Millenáris Theatre (Budapest) – 2008
Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun – National Dance Theatre (Budapest) – 2007
The Magic Flute – Palace of Arts (Budapest) – 2006
Honour to Martha – Palace of Arts (Budapest) – 2006
Miss Julie – Trafó, InterCity Festival, Florence, Italy – 2006, 2007
Levity and Gravity, with the Derevo Tanztheater – Merlin Theatre (Budapest) – 2006
Purple, with the Derevo Tanztheater – Városliget in Budapest – 2004
Ball, or the Dancing Festivity – National Dance Theatre (Budapest) – 2004
Dance Therapy – Trafó (Budapest) – 2004
Waiting (The Loves of Joseph K.) – Millenáris Theatre (Budapest) – 2002
The Seeress of Light – Millenáris Theatre (Budapest) – 2002
Stravinsky Night – National Dance Theatre (Budapest) – 2002
The Yellow Wallpaper – National Dance Theatre (Budapest) – 2002
Romeo and Juliet – Trafó (Budapest) – 2002
Hungarian rock – performances all around Hungary
Other productions
Jan Fabre: I Am Blood – National Dance Theatre (Budapest) – 2024
Mrožek: Widows – Dunakanyar Theatre in Vác (director: Gábor Bakos Kis) – 2014
Róbert Alföldi: Miska the Magnate – Szegedi Szabadtéri Játékok in Szeged, Hungary – 2012
Wash, Create, Clean - László Melis, Csilla Gévai, Kata Kántor, Márta Melis - Átrium Film Theatre - 2012
Jan-Marc Torres: Gipsy Planet – Gödör Klub (Budapest) – 2008
Rita Góbi Dance Company – 2006-2011
Behind the Mirror/site-specific performance – Pécs, Hungary
Torsos – SÍN Arts Centre in Budapest, Hungary
Spirálisok– SÍN Arts Centre in Budapest, Hungary
Tachyon – UnCocooing – museum sites
DeuS ex machina – Synagogue in Szeged, Hungary
Wilding – MU Theater (Budapest)
White Wall – Bethlen Téri Theater, Bakelit Multi Art Center (Budapest)
Dénes Döbrei: Possible Diagrams – Serbian National Theater in Novi Sad, Serbia – 2003
Andor Lukáts: Tale of the Soldier – Sanyi és Aranka Theater (Budapest) – 2003
Katalin Balla: Musical Jewelry – Dorottya Gallery (Budapest) – 2001
Min Tanaka – Butoh workshop closing performance
Fashion shows and performances
Edit Szűcs – MU Theater, Trafó – 2008, 2006
Fruzsina Nagy: Dreams from the Closet – Trafó (Budapest) – 2003
Children's Theater
Performances with Yvette Bozsik Dance Company
Hungarian Folk Tales – Palace of Arts (Budapest) – 2020
Clay Puppets – co-production with Bőröndmesék – 2020
Pinocchio – Palace of Arts (Budapest) – 2017
Paradise on Earth – National Theatre in Budapest – 2015
Puss in Boots – National Dance Theatre (Budapest) – 2015
The Rust Knight and the Ghost – Thália Theater (Budapest) – 2014
Arabian Nights – National Dance Theatre (Budapest) – 2012
Pöttyös Panni in School – Thália Theater (Budapest) – 2010
Peter and the Wolf – National Dance Theatre (Budapest) – 2010
Children’s Games – co-director: János Novák – Kolibri Theater (Budapest) – 2008
Petrushka and Pulcinella - Kolibri Theater (Budapest) - 2007
Magic Circus – Palace of Arts (Budapest) – 2007
Four Seasons (toddler theater) – Glitterbird (Budapest, Oslo, Paris) – 2005
Ladder Tales – National Dance Theatre (Budapest) – 2005
The Choreographer
As a choreographer, my main task is to unify all the ingredients involved in the process.
Interestingly, at the beginning of the creative process, an essential movement-image appears in front of me. This is the essence, the starting point of the given character, from which one can take off and freely improvise. I remember spending hours as a child looking at the illustrations hidden in books that were capturing the very essence of a story’s pivotal moment.
This visual imagery sparked my imagination; I was curious about what happened to these characters and how they came to life. Much like in choreography today, where I can now bring my own vision to reality.
It's a very exciting process how this comes to life in the three-dimensional space, and each stage offers different possibilities for this.
I am excited to receive new requests for choreographic work from dancers, directors, and artists from other areas of art.
Works
How are Trees Born? - Kolibri Theatre (director: Máté Lajhó) - 2025
Winnie the Pooh – Kolibri Theatre (director: János Háda) - 2025
Musical Evening - Novi Sad Theater (directing and choreography) - 2025
Mother Courage and Her Children – Novi Sad Theater (director: Dejan Projkovszki) - 2025
Nexxt- Novi Sad Theater (director: András Urbán) – 2025
Cinderella – Budapest Operetta Theatre (assistant choreographer) – 2024
Homage to Amrita Sher-Gil – Amrita Sher-Gil Cultural Centre in Budapest, Hungary – 2024
Circle Center, or Silence in the Hurricane – Ludwig Museum – 2024
Mother and Child – MTE Zoltán Nagy Jr. Stage – 2024
Shakespeare: Romeo and Juliet – Magyar Theater in Pest (director: Károly Eperjes) – 2024
Romeo and Juliet – Petőfi Theater in Sopron, Hungary (director: Károly Eperjes) – 2023
Cain and Abel – Zenthe Ferenc Theatre (director: Márk Kis Domonkos) – 2022
A woman’s transformation – Sheela’s Playground, Mallorca – 2018
Between Two Extremes – MTE Zoltán Nagy Jr. Stage – 2016
The Dawn Trumpeter and the Girl’s Love – Latinovits Theatre in Budaörs, Hungary (director: László Suba) – 2016
Mrożek: Widows Preview – Dunakanyar Theatre in Vác (director: Gábor Bakos Kis) – 2014
The Coyote Dancing with Stars – National Dance Theatre (director: Yvette Bozsik) – 2014
Arabian Nights – National Dance Theatre (director: Yvette Bozsik) – 2014
Children’s Games – Kolibri Theatre (director: Yvette Bozsik) – 2008
Ladder Tales – National Dance Theatre (director: Yvette Bozsik) – 2005
The Teacher
I strongly believe in the true mentor-student relationship.
During a workshop, my most important role is holding together the students' energies and creating a safe space where their own natural creativity can unfold freely.
I also like to emphasize to my students that we shouldn’t take ourselves too seriously - we should make room for humor. After all, this is all just a game; every performance has a beginning and an end, after which we can let go of the role.
I encourage them to let emotion or imagination arise from within because whatever is born inside will also become visible on the outside.
What manifests outwardly is what exists within, and what exists within is what comes from above.
This requires a stable presence - one like the silence at the center of a hurricane.
I invite those who wish to develop as dancers to reach out to me for individual or group training.
Experience
Budapest Circus Arts and Contemporary Dance College – 2025
Masters of Ceremonies, Clown BA:
Dance teaching
Ballet Ensemble of the Capital Circus of Budapest:
Warm-ups and Guided Improvisation Classes
Circus Dance BA:
Improvisation and Stretching Classes
Teacher at the Choreography Department of the Hungarian Dance University – 2021-2024
2020-2021: Theater dances
2021-2022: Rehearsal leading and Choreography, Theater Dances, Contemporary Dance Techniques, Choreography Theory, 21st Century Modern Dance Techniques
2022-2023: Improvisation, Stage Movement
2023-2024: Improvisation, Theater Dance Techniques
University of Kaposvár, Art Department, Acting – 2020, 2021
2020: Chicago (musical) / preparatory training for the exam
2021: Animal Farm (play) / preparatory training for the exam
Ballet education
Yoga education
Online teaching – 2020, 2023
Himalaya Yoga for Joints and Glands
„Punta Portals” dance school, Mallorca – 2017-2019
Classical ballet
Jazz Dance
Contemporary dance
Film & Photography
Since my childhood, it became natural for me to exist in front of cameras when our ballet teacher regularly took us to perform in the Muzički Tobogan musical children's show in Belgrade.
However, the experience that made me fall completely in love with performing for the camera happened during the shooting of the film The Gentleman Takes His Leave. The director of photography, Mátyás Erdélyi, followed my movements with such sensitivity that it felt like we were dancing together through his lens. That’s when I felt that magical connection I had previously only experienced on stage, between the audience and myself. I realized how sensitive one can be in sync with a cameraman or a photographer. I simply had to focus my attention more deeply, instead of scattering it across the entire audience as I had been used to before.
I love photography because it presents an exciting challenge for me to condense the mood into a pose, ensuring that the surrounding set harmonizes with my movements. For this journey, I am looking for collaboration with photographers, filmmakers, and music video directors.
Feel free to reach out…
… if you're looking for a collaborative partner in the following areas:
Dancing and acting - for film and theater projects
Choreography, movement direction – for film and theater productions
Dance classes - for art schools and art students
Artistic photography – advertising and fashion photography, portfolio expansion
If you're interested in collaborating with me, please get in touch by sending an inquiry to hello@fuloptimea.hu, or by filling out the form below: