Contemporary Approaches to Psychophysical Acting

Join us in person to explore how contemporary psychophysical acting can queer Greek tragedy. Queering Greek Tragedy • How can ancient Greek tragedy be reimagined through queer, feminist, trauma informed and contemporary performance practices? • What happens when we challenge the gender binaries, hierarchies of power and normative understandings of identity embedded within classical dramatic narratives. • This intensive 3 hours training workshop invites Drama and filmaking students to critically and physically reimagine ancient Greek tragedy through contemporary devised theatre, Terzopoulos phychophysical acting and ritual theatre practices. Taking Medea as starting point, participants will explore how classical texts can be deconstructed, destabilised and transformed through embodied experimentation, collective authorship and non-linear storytelling. • The workshop's exercices are informed by queer theory, feminist performance studies, postdramatic theatre and the 15 years of experience of Vertebra Theatre CIC working with Lecoq Physical and Devised Theatre Practice and integrating these approaches to their theatre making. About the Facilitator: Mayra (she/they) is a Performer, Director, Choreographer and qualified Dramatherapist. She trained in Lecoq Devised Theatre and Performance at London International School of Performing Arts (LISPA) in Dramatherapy (MA) at University of Derby and in Performance Practice (MPhil) at Guildhall School of Music and Drama researching trauma and embodied materiality. She has extensive experience working as Dramatherapist since 2012 with various client groups in community, prison and clinical settings. She has directed and performed in Devised Theatre, Opera and New Music pieces in various theatres and festivals across the UK and internationally. In 2013 she founded the Physical and Visual Theatre company, Vertebra Theatre CIC. She has also been a visiting lecturer in various Universities teaching Puppetry, Mask and Embodiment (Roehampton, RCSSD, UAL, Uni of Essex, Anglia Ruskin). http://www.mayrastergiou.com Testimonies: 'I distinguished Mayra out of many students that have participated in the workshops the last years, for her exceptional physicality, voice, discipline and devotion. Throughout our discussions, I ascertained her deep and wide artistic knowledges, her artistic imagination and her keen interest for theatre, arts and culture in general.' Theodoros Terzopoulos, Attis Theatre “Mayra worked with me as an acting coach at Players of Ethos and stood out for her professionalism, creativity, and strong knowledge of the craft. She was always receptive to feedback, and approached her work with consistency and passion, contributing greatly to a positive and inspiring learning environment.” Dimitra Bakalgianni, Players of Ethos Acting School