ARTISTIC WORK OF THE UNDERGRADUATE STUDY PROGRAM

The artistic work of the theatrical direction of the Undergraduate Study Program of the Department of Theatre Studies is multidimensional and has been developing across various spaces, both within and outside the School of Arts, for over 20 years, through the specialized courses offered such as Directing, Acting, Set Design, Costume Design, Dance, Physical Theatre, Theatre of the Oppressed, Ethnodrama, Multimedia, Lighting, and Production, focusing on the production of artistic works through collective creation.

The result of this process is a rich production of events, in which the Department's students take on the leading role. They create performances that they stage at festivals and theatrical venues in Greece and abroad, while at the same time they design and exhibit costumes, models, and objects within and beyond the university walls, the most characteristic example being the annual "Festivalaki of Theatrical Production" (see relevant link).

The Department's artistic activities have been hosted in traditional theatres, multipurpose venues, bars, and even in the street, with stops in cities such as Nafplio, Argos, Serres and Athens, Kalamata, Piraeus, and Epidaurus.

What follows is an indicative selection of the artistic work of the Department's Undergraduate Study Program, beyond the hundreds of performances of the specialized courses that have been carried out over the course of the Department's history. The relevant material will be continuously updated and enriched.

Theatrical Performances

A. Athens and Epidaurus Festival

Lyceum of Epidaurus (2017–2019) An international summer school of ancient drama and applied study of ancient drama, which operated during the Athens and Epidaurus Festival, in the area of Ancient Epidaurus. It was addressed to students of Theatre Studies Departments specializing in acting or theatrical practice, to students of Theatre Academies and Drama Schools, as well as to young actors from all over the world. It was implemented within the framework of the Athens and Epidaurus Festival in partnership with the Department of Theatre Studies of the School of Fine Arts of the University of the Peloponnese and in accordance with the Summer Schools Regulation of the University of the Peloponnese. Its aim was the research of ancient drama (tragedy, comedy, satyr play) and its diverse reception on an experiential level, encompassing different aesthetic tendencies, artistic "schools," methods, and interpretive approaches — from the most traditional to the most experimental.

(30-06-2018) KoinoPoiisi (Making-Public). Documentary / site-specific theatre performance (co-curated with Maria Mikedaki, Assistant Professor, Dept. of Theatre Studies, University of the Peloponnese; Pablo Berzal Cruz, scientific associate and PhD candidate at the School of Architecture, University of Madrid; Ch. Zoniou, University of the Peloponnese). Athens and Epidaurus Festival 2018, within the framework of the action "Educating the audience in ancient drama." Small Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus (more info: Press release).

(05-07-2016) Performance King Gout (Swellfoot the Tyrant). A student intercultural performance based on texts by Shelley, which participated in the parallel events of the Athens–Epidaurus Festival and was presented in July 2016 at the Small Theatre of Ancient Epidaurus. "King Gout" by Percy Shelley, at Little Epidaurus, in June 2016, within the framework of the Athens–Epidaurus Festival 2016. The performance was presented by 25 third- and fourth-year students. It was the fruit of the international educational and research collaboration of the Dept. of Theatre Studies with the Acting Program, School of Language and Culture Sciences of the University of St. Mark and St. John, Plymouth, England (Duration 2014–2018, based on a relevant memorandum of cooperation). Collaborating courses of the Department of Theatre Studies, University of the Peloponnese: Directing Approaches to Ancient Drama (instr. M. Kotzamani), Acting III (instr. G. Leontaris), Set Design II (instr. A. Dimitroulopoulou), and Introduction to Electronic Design for Lighting and Set Design (instr. A. Gounaras) (more info: Press release – Gout).

B. DOPPAT (Municipal Organization) of the Municipality of Nafplio

(15-10-2021) Performance "Readings of the Constitution: A Research Performance." Curated by Angeliki Spyropoulou, Professor, Dept. of Theatre Studies. The performance also participated in the conference "1821–2021: 200 Years Since the Greek Revolution," organized by the National Technical University of Athens in collaboration with DOPPAT of Nafplio, 15–16 October 2021, Parliament Building (Vouleftiko) of Nafplio (more info: poster, program).

(17-05-2017) Monologues from the Aegean, documentary theatre performance within the framework of the course Acting and Society II: Ethnodrama and Documentary Theatre, presented at the 6th Theatre Studies Conference "Theatre and Otherness," 17–20 May 2017, Nafplio.

(01-04-2017) Esti-a-dynaton, forum theatre performance by the social theatre group Cluedo, performances at the Athens Student Residence Hall, Athens, and at the Trianon Municipal Theatre, Nafplio (1/4/2017 and 22/2/2017).

(9-6-2015) Documentary theatre titled "FILE: The Suppliants," Tuesday, 9 June 2015. Starting point at Arvanitia beach (6:30 p.m.), followed by: bar Lathos (7:00 p.m.), Trianon (8 p.m.), and subsequently Psaromachalas (9 p.m.), Cemetery – Pronoia (9:30 p.m.), apartment building on "11th" Street (10:15 p.m.). Within the framework of the course Acting & Society II: Ethnodrama and Documentary Theatre, with instructor Christina Zoniou, member of the Special Educational Staff (E.E.P.), Dept. of Theatre Studies.

(12-02-2009) Performance "The Cockroach" by Vassilis Mavrogeorgiou, by the theatre group "Ex Anagkis" (Out of Necessity) of the students of the Dept. of Theatre Studies of the University of the Peloponnese in co-production with the Municipal Theatre of Nafplio. The performance was organized within the framework of the course "Theatrical Production," 12 February 2009, Trianon Theatre. Instructor: Dr. Anna Tsichli, member of the Special Educational Staff (E.E.P.) of the Dept. of Theatre Studies.

(Note: The above activities are indicative. DOPPAT's support for the Department of Theatre Studies of Nafplio is long-standing, steadily reinforcing the Department's artistic activities and its connection with the local community.)

C. Center for Hellenic Studies Greece, Harvard

(23-10-2022) Experimental-research performance On the Mask (Peri Prosopeiou): A composition of excerpts from Euripides' The Phoenician Women and The Trojan Women. Sunday, 23 October 2022, at 12 p.m., Ancient Theatre of Argos, within the framework of the doctoral dissertation of the Dept. of Theatre Studies PhD candidate Sofia Baltzoi. Supervising professor: Maria Mikedaki; Direction: Antonia Vasilakou, member of the E.E.P., Dept. of Theatre Studies (more info: Press release, poster).

(28-01-2021) Presentations of the courses Directing I and Theatrical Lighting, with directorial proposals based on works from the Theatrical Writing Workshop of the Center for Hellenic Studies Greece of Harvard University. The presentations took place online, via the Zoom platform. Instructors: Anna Tsichli and Angelos Gounaras (more info: Press release, poster).

(31-01-2020) Collaboration with the Center for Hellenic Studies for the presentation of scenes from the play The Other Me (O Etairos Ego) by Dimitra Varvouti within the framework of the course Directing I. [Instructor: Anna Tsichli] Central Lecture Halls, Leda Tasopoulou Hall, Friday 31/1/2020, 6:00 p.m. (more info: Woyzeck poster, The Other Me poster, press release).

D. Fougaro Multipurpose Venue

(2014) Antigone by Sophocles, a performance by the fourth-year students within the framework of the course ACTING III (instructor: Giannis Leontaris), in June 2014 (more info: relevant link).

E. Municipal Theatre of Piraeus

(05-07-2024) Walking site-specific event titled "Redefining the Change in Democracy," within the framework of the laboratory/experiential course "Physical Theatre Techniques IV: The Performer in the Open Space." Instructor Ms. A. Vasilakou, in collaboration with instructor A. Tsichli. The performance was presented in the public courtyard of the "Sotiria" Hospital (more info: Department press release, Athens Festival press release).

(25–29/6/2017) Love or Nothing. Stories of Piraeus. Four different devised/documentary theatre performances (curated by Ch. Zoniou and Anna Tsichli). Athens and Epidaurus Festival 2017, within the framework of the action "Opening to the City – Piraeus." Piraeus: Karaiskaki Square–Perama, Ergatias Square, Piraiki, Ippodameia Square (more info: Press release).

F. Municipality of Argos – Ancient Theatre of Argos

(25-05-2013) Performance "Medea" by Euripides (adaptation) by the student theatre group Ativavita, 25 & 26 May 2013, Ancient Theatre of Argos (repeated at the two-day event Nafplio-Athens…one stage, 2 June 2013, Michael Cacoyannis Foundation). Instructor: Dr. Anna Tsichli, member of the E.E.P. of the Dept. of Theatre Studies.

(11-11-2009) Participation of the Department in the ARGOS FESTIVAL 2009 in the opening ceremony "Argos, a walk through space and time," under the auspices of the Dept. of Theatre Studies of the University of the Peloponnese. Age-old myths and millennia of history came to life through narrations and journeys between the then and the now, with actions, speech, sound, and image. Narration: Grigoris Valtinos. Faculty members of the Dept. of Theatre Studies participated. Direction: Dr. Anna Tsichli, member of the E.E.P.; texts: Ioanna Remediaki, instructor; costume curation: Emmanouela Vogiatzaki-Kroukovski, member of the E.E.P.; lighting design: Angelos Gounaras, member of the Special Technical Laboratory Staff (E.T.E.P.); and a group of students from the Dept. of Theatre Studies of the University of the Peloponnese, Ancient Theatre of Argos, 11 July 2009.

G. Municipal Regional Theatre (DI.PE.THE.) of Serres – International University Theatre Games

The Department of Theatre Studies of the School of Fine Arts of the University of the Peloponnese has participated many times in the International University Theatre Games organized by DI.PE.THE. of Serres.

(23-05-2018) Performance The House of Bernarda Alba by the group Memental Theatre Group, 14th International University Student Theatre Games at the Municipal Theatre of Serres on Wednesday 23 May 2018. The performance was organized within the framework of the Theatrical Production course 2017, with instructor Anna Tsichli (more info: Serres University Games Program 2018).

(23-05-2012) Physical theatre performance. Participation of the Department in the 8th International University Theatre Games of DI.PE.THE. of Serres, with the physical theatre performance "Without Words II," with instructor A. Vasilakou, member of the E.E.P. of the Dept. of Theatre Studies (more info: Serres University Games Program 2012).

Exhibitions

A. Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space (PQ)

The Department of Theatre Studies of the School of Fine Arts of the University of the Peloponnese maintains a long-standing and active presence at the Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space (PQ), the most important international event in the field of set design, theatre architecture, and the performing arts. Through its repeated participations, the Undergraduate Study Program of the Department showcases its educational, artistic, and research work in an international environment of knowledge exchange and artistic practices.

(2023) Prague Quadrennial 2023. The Department participated with the exhibition "Snapshots / Instant Dreams," which was presented as part of the Greek student participation. The curation and organization of the participation was handled by A. Dimitroulopoulou, Architect–Set Designer and member of the E.E.P. of the Department (more info: Exhibition presentation, YouTube).

(18/28-06-2015) Participation of the Department in the 13th Prague Quadrennial of Performance Design and Space (18–28 June 2015, Prague). The participation is documented on the official website of the Greek delegation for PQ 2015 as well as in the catalog of the Greek participation (more info: Catalog of Greek Participation).

B. Exhibitions at the Vrysaki Multipurpose Venue

(15-18/02/2020) Exhibition at the Art and Action Space "Vrysaki" in Athens by the students of the School of Fine Arts of the University of the Peloponnese (Department of Theatre Studies and the newly established Department of Performing and Digital Arts). Garments, video, installations, photographs, actions, and counter-actions created within the framework of the courses "Body, Performance, and Digital Media," "Multimedia in the Performing Arts," and "Costume in the Performing Arts." Curation: Emmanouela Vogiatzaki-Kroukovski, Antonia Vasilakou (more info: press release, poster I, poster II).

Other Artistic Collaborations

A. 6th Panhellenic Theatre Studies Conference

(17/20-05-2017) Performances and artistic activities within the framework of the 6th Theatre Studies Conference Theatre and Otherness: Theory, Dramaturgy, and Theatrical Practice, 17–20 May 2017, Nafplio (more info: Performance Program).

B. Panhellenic Symposium for the Writers of Argolida "Argolida, the place of co-writing."

(06-04-2016) "Mobbing – Workplace Bullying." Forum theatre performance with students and auditors of the course Acting and Society I: The Theatre of the Oppressed, with instructor Chr. Zoniou, Agricultural Prisons of Nafplio, 1st Panhellenic Symposium "Argolida, the place of co-writing."

(15-04-2016) Physical event, "Endlessly Transcribing the Body. Dramatization of Poems" (by Od. Elytis, C. Cavafy, K. Karyotakis, Y. Ritsos, and the Argolida poets N. Karouzos, Th. Kostouros, Aim. Daphnis, Al. Moutzouridis, Ant. Anapliotis, Yp. Delis), Vouleftiko (Parliament Building) and Syntagma Square, event curation by A. Vasilakou, member of the E.E.P. of the Dept. of Theatre Studies (more info: Event link).

(14-04-2016) Kinetic action "Exclamation Mark Made of Paper" with the students of the Dept. of Theatre Studies at Syntagma Square, 14 April 2016, instructor Vaso Barboussi, member of the Faculty (D.E.P.) (more info).