Workshop Report Prominent Greek playwright and director, Thanassis Sarantos, Shared His Experiences with Students
Iran Theater-The second session of the educational workshop "Role of chorus in classical Greek Dramas" was held with emphasis on the need to update and use the drama methods of past centuries in this era.
As reported by the public relations office of the 42nd FITF, the workshop Section hosted Thanassis Sarantos the prominent Greek playwright and stage director at the three days of the festival. In a hall full of attendees, He shared his experiences.
This drama workshop on the topic of role of chorus in classical Greek Dramas and its impact on modern theater hosted students who have a bachelor's degree in acting.
Sarantos, the Greek lecturer of this workshop, emphasized the key role of the chorus in the theater because of the harmony and connection they create between the audience and the show.
The chorus in Classical Greek drama was a group of actors who described and commented upon the main action of a play with song, dance, and recitation.
As he said in plays such as " Oedipus Rex", the first part of the trilogy "Oedipus at Colonus" and "Antigone" written by Sophocles, an ancient Greek tragedian from the fifth century BC, the chorus have had a reputation that can still be revived with a new approach in the modern drama to convey the message and concept of the show.
On the first day of this workshop, which was held on Wednesday .Jan,24, the students discussed the role of music and singing and did some rehearsal.
The second session of this educational workshop was about the practical rehearsal that was held on Thursday .Jan.25 in the City Theater of Tehran.
The students attended the workshop with instruments such as tambourine, drum, string, etc. and were prepared for practical training in order to coordinate the performance with the music.
Then parts of the play "Oedipus Rex", the masterpiece of Sophocles, were given to the students. They practiced as a group to perform a short part of the chorus in this drama.
At the end of the workshop on the second day, Thanassis Sarantos asked the students to prepare for a short performance and workshop on the third day, which will be held on Friday, Jan.26.
The workshop, "Role and place of the chorus in Classical Greek Dramas" will end on Friday with performances by Iranian students who will perform short parts of "Oedipus Rex".
Born in Athens, Thanassis Sarantos studied English Literature in Athens, Acting at the Carolos Koun Drama Theater School in Athens and Film Direction at the New York Film Academy on scholarships from the Fulbright Foundation, the Onassis Foundation and the Greek Film Centre. While in New York, he worked as an actor and assistant director under Robert Wilson.
The educational workshops of the 42nd Fadjr International Theater Festival are being held from January 17th to January 31th, 2024 under the supervision of Iraj Afshari -Asl in the City Theater of Tehran.
