HYDRAMA
THEATRE & ARTS CENTRE
on the island of Hydra in Greece

ACTING TO THE GODS

Two week intensive drama course.
For: actors, theatre professionals, teachers, drama or classics students.
Note: A maximum of 12 participants are selected for this course.
We welcome a diversity of experience, nationality and age.

Set in Greece, where theatre originated 2,500 years ago, the course offers  a unique opportunity to train, rehearse and perform in a Greek amphitheatre, to learn about the ritualistic origins of theatre in its birthplace, and to attend a performance at the spectacular Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.

The training methods taught are applicable and relevant to all forms of theatre.

Classes/Workshops (6 hours daily) include: Birth and cult of theatre, improvisation, character work, masks, chorus work, Greek dance, movement, voice and text work. The course trains actors to use their voice and body in large open spaces - in a beautiful setting which echoes theatre's origins - and provides invaluable skills with which to approach the Greek-sourced plays which are increasingly performed in all major theatres. Participants will rehearse extracts from contemporary adaptations and translations of the ancient Greek plays and may be asked to familiarise themselves with some texts prior to arrival.

The course culminates with a public and filmed ("work-in progress") performance in the Hydrama amphitheatre. (See slideshows on photo page)

There will be ample time off, but we will be following a daily schedule of six hours of classes, rehearsals and workshops led by experienced professional theatre directors.

08:00                  Breakfast
09:00 - 13:00    Training/study/rehearsals
14:00                  Lunch
18:30 - 20:30    Training/study/rehearsals
20:30                  Sunset time
21:00                  Supper

Participants should be prepared for additional sessions after supper on the last three days of the course.

The first days of the course will focus on the background to theatre's Greek origins, plays and themes and contemporary theatrical influence and significance. Practical/hands-on classes intensify as the course progresses.

A Certificate of Participation is awarded on successful completion of the course.

INSTRUCTORS:

Stathis Grapsas
Theatre Director, Actor and Workshop Leader.
Trained in Australia and Athens. Stathis was an actor with the National Theatre of Greece for seven years performing in major European cities as well in the Ancient Theatres of Epidaurus and Herod Atticus. He participated in the Theatre Olympics in Moscow with Theodoros Terzopoulos’ Attis Theatre Company with whom he has been a core actor since 2009, currently performing in Heiner Muller's "Mauser". He continues to run the ground-breaking workshops and performances in Avlona Prison which he initiated last year. From May until he joins us at Hydrama, he will be running Master Classes at Ryerson University in Canada and then on tour in the title role in Timberlake Wertenbaker’s new adaption of Sophocles’ "Ajax".Stathis has directed and instructed at Hydrama since 2003.

Corinna Seeds
Theatre Director, Lecturer and Workshop Leader
Trained as an actress with Joan Littlewoods’s Theatre Workshop, Stratford, UK. Corinna was Associate Director with Theatro Technis and for over ten years Artistic Director of Stirabout, the first British theatre company to tour penal institutions. She has run workshops and lectured in the USA, UK and Greece extensively since 1974 and has received a Churchill Fellowship and awards from the Arts Council of Great Britain, Regional Arts Associations, and the Lankelly and Guilbenkian Foundations for her theatre work. Corinna founded Hydrama in 1999.

Course Fee:
Inclusive of all tutorials, accommodation, meals, scheduled boat/field trips in Hydra: 1,040 euros

Payment:
Payable in US dollars, euros or pound sterling by cheque, bank transfer or Paypal.
Deposit of 350 euros (or sterling/dollar equivalent) payable on acceptance of application.
Full balance requested by 8th July.

This fee includes all tutorials, 14 nights' accommodation and 3 meals daily for 14 days in Hydra.

Application form from info@hydrama.gr

FURTHER INFORMATION

For more information on Hydra see: http://www.greektravel.com/greekislands/hydra/intro.htm

Meals:
Breakfast, lunch and dinner in the "ENALION" taverna are provided and included in the course fee.
Vegetarianism is easily catered for.

Accommodation:
Is in twin or triple rooms in local villa by the sea in Vlychos. Toiletries, linen, bath and beach towels are provided and changed during course. Single room supplement is available on request

Optional Field Trips:
During course: Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus (performance  and theatre museum).

Before or after course: Visits to further sites in Athens (Herod Atticus Theatre, Theatre of Dionysus, Acropolis etc.) or Delphi (sanctuary, Oracle, theatre) and/or additional accommodation in  Hydra Athens  or Delphi can be easily arranged.

For more information on Greece and Athens:
gnto.gr
greektravel.com/athens

The Hellenic Festival performances schedule in Athens and Epidauros will be announced in April 2012.
http://www.greekfestival.gr/?lang=en    

 For further details and application form: info@hydrama.gr