THE ART AND SPEECH LABORATORY
The Art and Speech Laboratory of the Field of Humanistics Department of Primary Education of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens was established in 2002 (OGG: n. 213 issue A 23/9/2002), with the aim of “the practice and realization of theoretical knowledge, as well the completion of a suitable education for the students”, concerning Language, Literature, Theatre, Visual Arts and Music. Since the academic year 2005-2006 and after the independent operation of Language and Visual Arts laboratories, the Art and Speech Laboratory has been focusing on the fields of Theatre, Literature and Music. Several activities are included among those of the Lab, such as seminars, conferences, cultural and artistic events, research programs, as well as the Practice for undergraduate and post graduate students.
Professor of Theatre Studies Theodore Grammatas is the Director of the Laboratory.
Members are the following:
- Vicky Patsiou, Greek Literature Professor
- Georgia Kalogirou, Literature Teaching Professor
- Eugenia Magoula, Linguistics Associate professor
- Maria Dimaki-Zora, Theatre Studies Assistant professor
- Takis Tzamargias, Special Teaching Personnel, director
External collaborators are:
- Fabio Tolledi, Professor, Director, Salento (Lecce), Italy
- Alexia Papakosta, PhD., Department of Primary Education
- Panagiotis Maniatis, PhD., Department of Primary Education
- Chrysoula Kefala-Patergianaki, PhD. Panteion University
- Aphrodite Andreou, MSc Theatre and Education, PhD. candidate, Department of Primary Education
Apart from the field of scientific research, the activities of the Art and Speech Laboratory focus on the Practice of theatre, as well as the development/exploitation of teaching and learning through pioneer programs.
For several years, seminars have been organized for teachers, animators and executives of cultural organizations and institutions (both of the private and the public sector), via which all theatrical techniques and artistic acts develop within a wide range and even beyond School, thus embracing society.
Furthermore, the role of Theatre for young audiences is analyzed through specific researches, in order to achieve the elimination of racial discrimination and stereotypes, thus leading to a change in attitude towards individuals of a different racial, ethnic or religious identity. Therefore, Theatre becomes a suitable means of eliminating the prejudice against the Different, as well forming a new identity as a whole for any Individual regardless of age, especially for children and young people.
Moreover, it should be interesting to point out the significance of the research conducted, which has been developed through questionnaires, interviews and field study in many schools, concerning the way in which Theatre can be exploited in Education and be embodied in the learning procedure as a modern teaching technique. Our proposal, which has been developed and documented in various ways, is that of the so called “Artful Pedagogy”. We have worked towards this direction and have presented documented proposals to the Greek Ministry of Education, for the systematic introduction and development of Theatrical Education, as well as Pedagogy of Theatre in Education.
Since 2002 and until 2017 the following activities have taken place:
PanHellenic and International Meetings- Symposiums-Conferences
1. 1st International Folk Theatre conference, in cooperation with the Ionian Islands Region.
(Zakynthos, 27th-29th September, 2002)
2. Symposium: Tribute to Pavlos Matessis.
(Athens, 18th April, 2003)
3. Symposium for Kostis Palamas.
(Athens, 3rd November, 2003)
4. 5th Cultural Meeting of Nafpaktos: “Dimitris Ach. Rodiris. The great theatre Teacher”
In cooperation with the Nafpaktian Studies Company. (Nafpaktos, 8th-9th November, 2003)
5. 2nd International Folk Theatre Conference. “The idea of the ‘Folk’ in modern society spectacle. Theatre-Cinema-Television”.
In cooperation with the Ionian Islands Region (Zakynthos, 21th-23th November, 2003)
6. Two-day Conference: “Mpouloukia (The travelling troupes). The epopee of a ‘discredited’ form of theatre”.
In cooperation with the artistic team “Theorissi” (Athens, 15th-16th June, 2004)
7. International Conference: Adaptations of Shakespeare’s works for children and young people. Theatre- Literature.
In cooperation with I.M. Panagiotopoulos School (Athens, 15th-17th April, 2005)
8. Conference: The Love of Reading and School.
(Athens, 10th April, 2006)
9. Conference: When….Zorz Sari: a 40 year offer to Literature for children and young people.
(University of Athens, central building, “I. Drakopoulos” auditorium, 20th May, 2008)
10. PanHellenic Conference: Young Scientists FORUM
(University of Athens, central building and 13A Navarinou st. building (4th-7th December, 2008) (Marasleio Didaskaleio: 25th January, 2009)
11. “The City….of Maro Loizou”
(9th May, 2009)In cooperation with the Language and Literature Laboratory of the University of Patras Department of Early Childhood Education.
12. Two-day Conference: Theatre for young spectators. Acquaintance with the creators.
(8th and 9th November, 2010)
13. International Conference: “Arts and Education. Creative ways of language learning”.
(6th-8th May, 2011)
14. 2nd Scientific and Artistic two-day conference: Timeliness of the Myth in Present Times. Ancient Greek Myths and Modern Times. Theatre-Literature-Drama play.
(Athens, 10th- 11th December, 2011)
15. Conference: “The body of the actor between the Traditions of the East and the West”.
(‘Ideogram’ Program, University of Athens - New auditorium, 29th February, 2012).
16. Conference: “Theatre as a cultural good and artistic expression in Education and Society”.
‘THALIS’ program, (Michael Cacoyiannis Foundation, 21st October, 2012).
17. International Conference: “Artful Pedagogy, The educational role of the theatre.
(Athens, 22nd-24th November, 2013).
18. Scientific two-day Conference: “The Congress of the arts in today’s School”.
(Alexandroulolis, 31st May-1st June, 2014)
20. 2nd Young Scientists Forum: “Theatre and theatrical techniques in upbringing and education”
(Athens, 21st-23rd November, 2014, Marasleio Didaskaleio).
21. Scientific Conference Ι: “Art & Culture in 21st century School”.
(Athens, 13th-14th June, 2015, Marasleio Didaskaleio)
22. Scientific Conference ΙΙ: “Art & Culture in 21st century school”.
(Alexandroupolis, 21st June, 2015)
23. Two-day Seminar: “From the Speech to the Picture. The relation between Literature and the Cinema”.
(2nd-3rd April, 2016).
24. Conference: “The evolution of modern Greek dramaturgy in the era of Globalization”.
(Athens, 3rd December, 2016, Marasleio Didaskaleio)
Artistic Activities
- University of Athens honors Aristides Vassilaris. (Old University, Plaka, Athens, 20th May, 2003)
- Visual Arts exhibition of the Department of Primary Education students’ works. (Athens, 26th -29th May, 2004)
- Participation in multiethnic program based on Euripides’ Trojan Women, within the framework of the “Culture 2000” European Program. (Athens, 2005)
- Participation in multiethnic theatre program “Ulysses’ routes- for a critique of violence” (2007 Zakynthos, Nicosia, Lecce)
- Participation in multiethnic program based on Aeschylus’ Persians, within the framework of the “Culture 2007” European program. (28th March, 2008)
- “Plous” students’ theatre company performances:
- Eros’ Physis (26th-27th May, 2004)
- “Brahms’ ballades’ and modern theatre script”. (May 2007)
- “When Science and Philosophy step on stage” (7th December, 2008)
Seminars
1.The preparation of the school dramatic performance of F.G.Lorca’s Blood Wedding
In cooperation with Marasleio Didaskaleio and the 2nd Junior High School of Voula.
(Marasleio Didaskaleio, Athens, 18th March, 2003)
2. When Robinson Crusoe met Harry Potter…
(Athens, 23rd October, 2003-27th November, 2003). Planning-teaching: Ava Chalkiadaki.
3. Multicultural approach of Children’s Literature
(Athens, 18th November, 2003-29th January, 2004). Planning-teaching: Panagiotis Maniatis
4. Theatre : Art and Technique / The secrets of Commedia dell’arte
(Schedia Theatre, Athens, 9th, 10th, 11th March 2004)
5. Ancient Greek Drama in modern world. Pedagogical and stage approaches.
(Athens, 12th May, 2006-13th May, 2006)
6.Theatrical dialogues. An encounter with the creators
(25th January, 22nd February, 22nd March 2010)
Research Programs
1. When Robinson Crusoe met Harry Potter…
A multi activity research program for the cultivation of Literacy (October 2005-April 2006)
2. A theatrical map of Athens
(2005-2008)
3.‘IDEOGRAM’ European Program, within the framework of “Culture” Program 2011-2013
(France-Turkey-Greece)
4.Theatre as educational good and artistic expression in Education and Society
(Thalis Program – ESPA, 2012-2015)
5. “Theatrum Mundi” European program.
This program is included in the main works of the “Creative Europe” European program, 2016-2017.
Publications
1. ‘Tribute to Pavlos Matessis’, Themata Logotechnias, issue 25, 2004, p. 65-105.
Publication of the proceedings of the symposium for Pavlos Matessis. (Athens, 18th April, 2003)
2. “Kostis Palamas. Esays” (literary attention) Theodossis Pylarinos, Attica Bank, 2004.
The proceedings of the symposium for Kostis Palamas. (Athens, 3/11/2003)
3. “The meaning of the ‘Folk’ in modern society spectacle. Theatre-Cinema-Television”.
Ionian Islands Region, 2004. The conference proceedings of the 2nd Folk Theatre meeting (Zakynthos, 21st- 23rd November, 2003)
4. “Dimitris Rodiris. The great theatre teacher”, Nafpaktian studies Company, 2005.
The conference proceedings of the 5th Cultural Meeting of Nafpaktos (Nafpaktos, 8th-9th November, 2003)
5. “Adaptations of Shakespeare’s works for children and young people. Theatre-Literature”.([attention]:Th.Grammatas). I.M. Panagiotopoulos Publications, 2006.
International Conference proceedings. (Athens, 15th-17th April, 2005)
6. The Love of Reading and School. (Attention) Ada Katsiki-Givalou, Gina Kalogirou, Ava Chalkiadaki, Patakis Publications, 2008.
The proceedings of the conference (Athens, 10th April, 2006)
7. A theatrical map of Athens, ‘Foyer’, 17th, July-August 2007 : 33-35
Presentation of the results of the relevant research (2005-2008)
8. When Zorz Sari: a 40 year offer to Literature for children and young people, (attention) Ada Katsiki-Givalou, Patakis Publications, 2008.
The conference proceedings of the meeting (Athens, 20th May, 2008)
9. Young Scientists FORUM, 2010. The proceedings of the PanHellenic Conference 4th-7th December, 2009 and 25th January, 2009 (CD)
10. “Arts and Education. Creative ways of Language learning”. 2011. E Publication.
Argyriou_2011_ArtsEdu_A_VOL.pdf and CD
The proceedings of the International Conference (6th-8th May,2011)
11. “Tragic and Tragedy in the era of Globalization”, (attention) Th. Grammatas, G. Papadopoulos, Diadrassi Publication, Athens 2011
12. “Timeliness of the Myth in Present Times. Ancient Greek myths and Today’s Reality. Theatre-Literature-Drama play”, 2013, (attention) Th. Grammatas, Taxideftis Publications.
In cooperation with the ‘Theatro tis imeras”.
13. “Pedagogy: Theatre Pedagogics”. (Athens, Taxideftis Publications, 2014)
The proceedings of the International Conference, held in 22nd-24th November, 2013 in the Athens Conservatoire ceremony hall.
14. The proceedings of the scientific two-day conference: “The congress of the Arts in today’s school”. (Alexandroupolis, 2014, “THALIS” program )
Attention: Simos Papadopoulos, Assistant professor).
16. The proceedings of the scientific two-day conference: “Art and Culture in 21st century school”. (Athens, 2016)
Attention: Simos Papadopoulos, Assistant professor).
Miscellaneous activities
1. Theatre animation workshop with actor and director Giannis Kalantzopoulos (2006-2007).
2. Attendance of the production of Aeschylus’ Antigone, directed by Giorgos Biniaris and music by Smaro Grigoriadi and workshop for Ancient Greek metrics and stage direction addressed to undergraduate and post graduate students (2006-2007)
3. Theatrical activities for the Flexible Zone and All-day Greek School Program
(Athens, Chimeio, 13A Navarinou st. Saturday, 2nd December 2006)
4. International Conference for Theatre in Education.
In cooperation with the PanHellenic Network for Theatre in Education, March 2008)
5. “When Arts discuss at School…” (Athens, 8th -10th January, 2010)
Organization: 1st PanHellenic Symposium, in cooperation with the Society for Educational and Cultural Subjects.
6. Theatrical Education and Teachers’ Training
Addressed to Primary and Secondary Education teachers, students, young actors and, in general, to anyone interested in Theatre Education teaching and practice.