The Ancient Greek Dramatists have a unique amalgamation of Greek history and culture interwoven in their plays. This dichotomy overlaps and at times is indistinguishable between fact and mythology.
The essence of Greek theatre is in its storytelling; teachings about human fragility and the complexity of our emotional sphere – what it means to be human, flawed and passionate. At the heart of Greek culture lies passion. We are unafraid to express our emotions. We have a zest for life and a culture of welcoming, sharing and loyalty. We are hospitable people and we openly welcome everyone to share a place at our table.
Marianna Psaltis, Acting and Drama Coach
The Art of Performing Greek Theatre
By Marianna Psaltis
GREEK THEATRE
The Ancient Greek Dramatists have a unique amalgamation of Greek history and culture interwoven in their plays. This dichotomy overlaps and at times is indistinguishable between fact and mythology.
THEORY AND PRACTICE
When studying Greek text, my students interact with the cultural and emotional aspects of the text, taught through my literary knowledge but most importantly, through the lens of my lived experience.
GREEK CULTURE
Elements of Greek theatre are culturally innate and authentic to my lived experience. It is our connection to our culture that has sustained us; the history, the mythology, characters and storytelling. Often, practitioners over intellectualise and analytically deconstruct every minute nuance of Greek theatre, and while it provides endless fodder for deconstruction and study, Greek theatre/literature is intended to be performed. In performance we have access to the overarching passion driven characters and connection to the extremity of emotion that radiate from Greek tragedies and comedies. It is this emotional connection and storytelling that invites us as an audience to experience the story with the actors, we feel a part of the plot; integral to the outcomes.
Read More Here
The Ancient Greek Dramatists have a unique amalgamation of Greek history and culture interwoven in their plays. This dichotomy overlaps and at times is indistinguishable between fact and mythology.
THEORY AND PRACTICE
When studying Greek text, my students interact with the cultural and emotional aspects of the text, taught through my literary knowledge but most importantly, through the lens of my lived experience.
GREEK CULTURE
Elements of Greek theatre are culturally innate and authentic to my lived experience. It is our connection to our culture that has sustained us; the history, the mythology, characters and storytelling. Often, practitioners over intellectualise and analytically deconstruct every minute nuance of Greek theatre, and while it provides endless fodder for deconstruction and study, Greek theatre/literature is intended to be performed. In performance we have access to the overarching passion driven characters and connection to the extremity of emotion that radiate from Greek tragedies and comedies. It is this emotional connection and storytelling that invites us as an audience to experience the story with the actors, we feel a part of the plot; integral to the outcomes.
Read More Here