Hellenic Theatre/Drama & Education Network (TENet-Gr)
THEATRE SUMMER CAMP 2023
Chiliomodi Town, Greece 25-30/8/2023
MAIN WORKSHOP
Messengers, the time of truth
Tasos Ratzos
The great virtue of the messenger is that he has seen with his own eyes the event he is conveying, not a random event, but a significant event that touches on Epiphany. This accomplishment could not have been possible without the power bestowed by the gods. Overwhelmed, excited, and with all his senses heightened, he usually enters, often running, to announce the monumental event. The messengers still hold the event vividly in their minds; they are immersed in it entirely. Their senses have just received the impact, and they strive to articulate their words precisely to share this divine presence on earth. Poets generally refrain from assigning them a name. Instead, they relate to the vast crowd and stand alongside the chorus. In contemporary performances, they often emerge through the chorus. However, can these profound texts be recited by a man without identity? We might overlook the name, but doesn't the messenger's connection to the people they speak to influence the way they convey the information? When a servant brings news to the king of the country, who possesses the authority to determine the servant's life or death, does this not affect the way the servant addresses the king, who may have erred? Lastly, what mechanisms of truth are activated when eyewitnesses speak? What forces do they enact to convince the audience that their words are true?
The central theme of the seminar will be truth in theater—an often misunderstood notion. The body, gestures, voice, expressions, and mental vibrations must all align to convince someone that what is being said is genuinely true. When one is on stage, the primary focus must be on being true. That is the truth we will delve into and seek to clarify. All classes will be experiential, meaning participants should wear comfortable clothing and be willing to engage in experiential exercises. Creating a supportive environment will help alleviate any anxiety about exposure.
Additionally, it is recommended that participants have a good knowledge of at least one ancient tragedy and have studied either a portion or the entire monologue of a messenger's monologue. Participants can choose the tragedy and the specific monologue, along with its translation.
Finally, I want to emphasize that the workshop is open to everyone, and no special knowledge is necessary.
Tasos Ratzos was born in 1964 in Mavreli, Trikala Greece. He graduated from the School of Physical Education and Sport Science at the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens. He attended Theatre's Direction classes at the Opernschule of Munich for two years. Additionally, he participated in the National Education Youth Festival 'Arlekin 87' in Bayreuth. Tasos also attended pantomime seminars with Milan Sládek in Cologne and took part in an Educational Cycle of Eurhythmy with Evelyn Broz in Essen. In 1988, he founded 'Bloom of Hebe' in Trikala, where he directed 15 plays with amateur actors and actresses. Throughout his career, Tasos has directed performances for various prestigious institutions, including the National Theatre of Greece, the 'New Worlds’' Theatre (where he served as the manager of organization and production from 1996 to 2001), and several Municipal Regional Theatres in Greece (Di.Pe.The.). He has a specialization in theatre for children and young people and has directed numerous performances in public theatres, often adapting the scripts himself. Tasos has also organized and implemented educational projects and conducted theatrical seminars for educators in Greece and Cyprus. Between 2010 and 2014, he held the positions of animator, teacher, and director at the Municipal Theatre of Sikies in Thessaloniki. Additionally, he taught acting at 'Theatre of Changes' and Drama Schools such as 'Iasmos' and the National Theatre of Northern Greece (where he was the manager of Studies from 2005 to 2009). From 2010 to 2022, he was one of the main teachers of acting and improvisation at the Drama School 'Andreas Voutsinas'. In addition to directing, Tasos has also showcased his talent in designing lighting plans for theatrical performances, dance shows, and concerts. In 2011, Tasos co-founded the Theatrical Company 'Mikros Vorras'. Since then, he has taken on the role of artistic management, organization, and production for the company. 'Mikros Vorras' has presented more than 20 educational performances for children and adolescents in various cultural venues and schools. Some of these performances have been featured in festivals both in Greece and abroad, including Berlin, Skopje, Cyprus, and Albania.
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