Exploring European Identities/ideologies by means of (re)presentations of Ancient Drama.

The European Network for Researching and Documenting Performances of Ancient Greek Drama will be staging an intensive course in ancient Greek drama for the 8th consecutive year with student participants from 15 European countries.

The 8th annual Intensive Course in Ancient Greek Drama will be taking place in Epidaurus this year, July 6-20, under the umbrella title: “Exploring European Identities/Ideologies by means of (re)presentations of Ancient Drama”. This year’s course will be focused on the issue of ‘Media’ and the link between theoretical approaches to ancient drama and the on-stage act and performance practices.

The seminars are organized by the European Network for Researching and Documenting Performances of Ancient Greek Drama with the support of the Municipality of Asklepeion and Hellenic Festival SA. The Network’s activities are coordinated by Platon Mavromoustakos from Athens University’s Department of Theatre Studies. The course is taught free of charge by leading academics from European and North American universities and by theatre professionals. The course will be attended by post-graduate students from Network member states specializing in theatre and classical studies. By providing participants with an opportunity for interdisciplinary discourse on an international level, the course will help highlight the relevance of ancient Greek drama in contemporary Europe, both as a source of inspiration for academic and artistic creativity and as a cohesive thread running through the European cultural identity.

The programme includes workshops, tours of archaeological sites, attendance at rehearsals and performances at the ancient theatre of Epidaurus, and discussions with the people staging them.

The European Network for Researching and Documenting Performances of Ancient Greek Drama seeks to create a collaborative space for European universities and to coordinate research in line with new developments in theatre and classical studies. The link between theoretical approaches to ancient Greek drama (literary, theatrological, archaeological) and the on-stage act and its recent achievements are an issue of interest to the international academic community. The Network’s ultimate goal is thus to create new fields of expertise and original teaching material, and to exploit new technology to the full for recording, archiving and teaching ancient drama.

The Network is coordinating the compiling of a database—a resource for researchers and educators—which will record every European production of ancient drama in modern times. The Network also organizes educational and academic events including annual meetings, conferences, international exhibitions and publications.

Site: www.ancientdrama.net

Email: info@ancientdrama.net