Epidaurus Lyceum: International Summer School Of Ancient Drama

Theme 2019: Reinventing Ancient Drama on the contemporary stage

July 2- 16, 2019

The Epidaurus Lyceum is an international summer school of ancient drama studies and practices located in the area of ancient Epidaurus, operating annually during the Athens & Epidaurus Festival, and aiming at the participation of students and graduates of Theatre Academies, Drama Schools, Dance Schools and university departments of performing arts from around the world.

Its main focus lies on researching ancient Greek theatre (tragedy, comedy, satyr play) on a practical/experiential level, combining a wide range of approaches, from the most traditional to the most experimental methods, aesthetic trends, and interpretative approaches.

The program’s workshops, masterclasses, educational visits, and other activities take place at specifically chosen venues around the Epidaurus area, such as ancient theatres, archaeological sites, open-air spaces, and school facilities, with the support of the relevant administrative bodies.

INTERNATIONAL COLLABORATIONS

International collaborations are fundamental in order to secure the Lyceum’s philosophy and its studies’ and teaching staff’s level of excellence. Its basic aim is to create an international network that will exchange knowledge and experience on modern educational methods, dramaturgy, acting, and directing. Working alongside major institutions and universities from across the globe will also help establish a forum on contemporary research and performance of ancient drama.

INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE

The Committee’s role is to discuss guidelines, general rules and the curriculum of the Lyceum. Its members may also serve as reviewers during the recruitment process of prospective teachers and collaborating institutions.
Current members of the International Advisory Committee of the Epidaurus Lyceum include:

a) Eugenio Barba, director (Odin Teatret)
b) Edith Hall, Professor of Classics King’s College, University of London
c) Luca Biagiotti, director, Head of “Prima del Teatro: European School for the Art of the Actor,” Honorary Fellow of the Guildhall School of Music and Drama
d) Gintaras Varnas, theatre director, Professor at the Lithuanian Music and Theatre Academy
e) Roberto Romei, theatre director, teacher, Director of the Department of Dramaturgy, Scenography, and Choreography at the Institut del Teatre in Barcelona

GOALS

A meeting place for actors, playwrights, directors, musicians, choreographers, artists, as well as theatrologists, anthropologists, musicologists, the Epidaurus Lyceum aims at crafting a space where tradition and innovation, ancient and modern civilization will share a creative coexistence, fueled by two equally important factors–ancient drama and the actor.

From an educational point of view, the Lyceum’s courses will focus on applied research via the exploration of different acting techniques. The curriculum will not just artistically “inform” and familiarize students with directorial approaches to ancient drama but will include courses run by acclaimed teachers and artists creating a platform of experiential learning that will strengthen the research area related to different expressive techniques and tools of stage acting. Visiting scholars will be chosen on the aforementioned basis.

The Epidaurus Lyceum, therefore, aims at:

• Providing young actors with extra abilities, technical knowledge and acting tools to match a varied spectrum of directorial approaches to ancient drama.
• Facilitating an environment of coexistence between teachers and actors from different cultural backgrounds, through the process of intercultural communication.
• Familiarizing young artists with ancient and contemporary Greek civilization.