Vangelis Theodoropoulos
Vangelis Theodoropoulos was born in Athens in 1953. An alumnus of the Athens Conservatoire Drama School, he worked as an actor until 1992, at which time he shifted to directing.
In 1995 he founded the Nea Skini Technis (New Art Scene) which, as of 1997, is permanently housed at the Neos Kosmos Theatre. Theodoropoulos has directed keys plays of the Greek and world theatre repertoire, while also introducing many contemporary plays of the global repertoire to Greek audiences. Over the years, the Neos Kosmos Theatre has been a hothouse of activity, launching the careers of several acclaimed Greek actors. The organization has also been distinguished for its theatre productions in children’s hospitals.
Vangelis Theodoropoulos has presented a number of performances at the National Theatre, the National Theatre of Northern Greece, various Regional Municipal Theatres and a number of independent theatres. In 2008 he collaborated with the National Theatre of Albania for a production of Euripides’s The Trojan Women featuring an all-Albanian cast. Theodoropoulos has taught acting at the Drama School of the National Theatre of Greece. Since 2016 he serves as artistic director of the Athens & Epidaurus Festival.
WORKSHOP
The musical rendition of political texts: The case of Aristophanes
Participants will examine the structure of ancient drama and the multi-faceted role of the Chorus through their study and analysis of ancient texts. Focusing on excerpts from Aristophanes’ oeuvre, participants will tackle political concepts found in the comic playwright’s body of work and their relevance to the contemporary political reality, a process which will enable them to approach ancient drama on the contemporary stage.
Furthermore, through a series of breathing, vocal and singing exercises, based on Aristophanes’ choral parts set to music, participants will focus on the relationship between music and language. In what ways do text and music interact? What is the use and functionality of music in stage interpretations? How can voice be utilized as a performing tool? The participants will also examine the various uses of music in diverse contemporary genres, including music composed for cinema and musicals, and cross-influences.