Chicago ballet and Spanish dancer and dance teacher.

Born in England in 1904, Elisa Stigler (also called "Elsie") was brought to Chicago by her mother in the 1920’s, where she began an intensive study of the ballet with Edna McRae. She developed a special interest in mastering techniques of Spanish dancing at which she soon excelled, and her expert castanet playing was renowned. She studied authentic Spanish dance with many teachers, including Angel Cansino, becoming adept at analyzing the intricate rhythms and nuances of the Spanish style.

Stigler was just as analytical about ballet, and as a teacher she was interested in the basics of technique and in terminology. For many years she was an officer of the Chicago National Association of Dancing Masters, teaching at the Chicago Musical College, which later became part of Roosevelt University. She also performed locally, participated in many dance workshops, lectured at the University of Chicago and wrote several books on dance, including one on castanet techniques.

Elisa Stigler died in 1973.