Contemporary performance by and for those with disabilities: the case of Greece

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this article is to discuss examples of Greek contemporary performance by and for individuals with disabilities and by mixed groups that include individuals with and without disabilities working together. It is a research on primary and secondary electronic and printed resources and data. This article examines firstly the state tendencies and views, in relation to the formal and informal education provided to the individuals with disabilities and secondly the social and cultural context that fosters or discourages their participation in cultural activities. Simultaneously, we attempt to shed light on the innovative initiatives that enrich contemporary Greek theatre.

KEYWORDS:

• Theatre group
• disability
• drama
• disabled artists
• Greece

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes on contributors

Maria Koltsida is teacher of Primary Education, animator in Drama workshops and received her Master’s Degree in Creative Arts in Education from the University of Exeter.

Antonis Lenakakis is assistant professor of Drama/Theatre Pedagogy at the Department of Early Childhood Education, Faculty of Education, of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

Notes

1. See http://www.deaftheaterofgreece.com/index.html.

2. See http://greekfestival.gr/gr/events/view/omada-en-dunamei---eleni-euthumiou-2015.

3. The Athens and Epidaurus Festival is an annual artistic and cultural event and is partly funded by the state of Greece. http://greekfestival.gr/en/home.

4. See http://www.distheater.gr/index.php.

5. See http://www.ntng.gr/default.aspx?lang=el-GR&page=36&newsid=1876.