Play Jam
Eleni Papaioannou
Movement Educator, Choreographer, Performer, Greece
WORKSHOP
Athens International Conference "Theatre/Drama & Inclusive Education"
21-23 of March 2025
Hellenic Theatre/Drama & Education Network (TENet-Gr)
Language: English
Limited number of participants
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION
Play JAM—A Workshop in Movement, Connection, and Inclusive Play
Introduction
Play JAM is an immersive workshop, open to all ages and abilities, created as a dynamic space for exploring the art of play in a deeply inclusive way. Rooted in the concept of “Play Movement,” it’s designed to be both a practice and a process, offering a unique opportunity to come together, explore, and engage in meaningful, movement-based games. Play JAM invites participants to explore what it means to play—physically, emotionally, and socially—creating a supportive environment where everyone can find their own place within the circle.
The inspiration of Play JAM traces back to the “Peace Games,” an Erasmus+ training program in the Czech Republic that centered on gamification. This experience, alongside training in “Segni Mossi”—an approach combining movement and drawing—inspired Play JAM’s development as a cross-disciplinary practice, integrating aspects of theatre, movement, education, and life itself. This workshop embodies a playful learning approach that invites self-expression, societal reflection, and personal growth. Whether you’re an experienced mover or a newcomer, Play JAM encourages each participant to embrace play as a tool for connection and self-discovery, breaking down traditional ideas around competition, winning and failure.
Play JAM is designed to:
- Foster a safe, collaborative environment that values each participant’s unique abilities and perspectives.
- Encourage open discussions and reflection after each task, exploring the role of play as a powerful, educational experience.
- Cultivate free expression, while redefining “play” as something deeply educational, not limited to childhood or idle time.
- Build connections between body movement and emotional well-being, showing how play can foster deeper social bonds and self-awareness.
- Reinforce the belief that every individual, regardless of age or physical ability, can meaningfully engage with the experience.
The workshop
The workshop unfolds in three main parts, each crafted to offer a holistic exploration of play:
1. The Personal: What’s inside?
This stage centers on personal exploration. Through guided movement improvisations and meditative tasks, participants connect with their bodies, uncovering where play “lives” within them. Individual games prompt reflections on their effects on emotions, physicality, and self-perception, fostering a journey of reconnecting with one’s inner voice and playful spirit.
2. The Collective: What’s out there?
Moving from the self to the group, participants explore what it means to be part of a community. This stage emphasizes opening one’s senses to group dynamics, focusing on mutual support, communication, and inclusivity. Collective physical games provide insights into cooperation, empathy, and the formation of shared values, celebrating the diversity of each individual’s contribution to the whole.
3. The Making: Let’s do it!
In the final stage, participants work together to create a “Play JAM”—a playful performance that celebrates creativity, “failures,” and successes alike. Through improvisational tasks and theatrical games, they shape a collaborative outcome that is uniquely theirs. This process showcases the inclusive, connective power of play, encouraging participants to integrate these playful, cooperative tools into their daily lives.
Play JAM is built on the belief that every body can play. By combining elements from Play Movement, Gamification theory, and experiences from working with children and young people, the workshop offers a fulfilling experience to participants of any age or physical ability.
Participation requirements:
Note that the workshop includes exercises with possible physical contact.
No prior experience is necessary, and the activities are adaptable to ensure inclusivity for all. Through movement, meditation, and shared exploration, Play JAM becomes a living practice of inclusivity, where diverse voices are valued, and every participant contributes to a joyful, supportive community.
Eleni Papaioannou is a choreographer, performer, and movement educator specializing in contemporary dance, physical theatre, and improvisation. Born in Athens in 1993, Eleni began her dance journey early, acquiring a First-Class BA (Hons) in Contemporary Dance from London Contemporary Dance School in 2014. Her professional career has since spanned working with choreographers, directors and artists worldwide. In 2020, Eleni completed an online course in Play Therapy and is currently pursuing an MA in Theatre Education from the Open University of Cyprus. She has taught at renowned institutions, including The Place and the Royal Academy of Dance, and has facilitated workshops globally in Mexico, Thailand and India. Eleni founded A(r)CT in 2014, a performing arts group with a mission to foster social change through art. The group has received national funding from the Greek Ministry of Culture and has presented work at international festivals.
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