Instructors: Christina Zoniou, Nikos Govas
Workshop: “Antigone: The Law of Citizens”
Duration: 6 hours
“For whoever thinks that he alone possesses intelligence, prudence,
or judgment unmatched by any other, or a soul superior
— when such men are unmasked, they are revealed as empty”
(Antigone by Sophocles, 707-709)
The workshop “Antigone: The Law of Citizens” constitutes an experiential act of cultural participation, inviting citizens—regardless of theatrical background—to engage with public space as a stage for political dialogue. Drawing inspiration from Sophocles Antigone, the workshop focuses on the Chorus, the community of citizens (the Demos) and on conflicts concerning power, gender, and justice. This practical workshop presents ongoing research by Christina Zoniou and Nikos Govas on the use of Theatre of the Oppressed and participatory theatre methods in classical plays to foster democratic reflection and citizen engagement, while upholding aesthetic and performative standards in community and educational settings. The research has been implemented in Greece and India and will now be offered as an open inquiry in Ankara, inviting participants to explore its questions and methods collectively. Employing techniques from Forum Theatre, Image Theatre, Legislative Theatre (Theatre of the Oppressed, Augusto Boal), documentary theatre, and creative drama, participants will collectively devise theatrical scenes that foreground contemporary dilemmas related to justice, democracy, disobedience, and civic responsibility. In this context, tragedy is reactivated as a public forum—a space for interrogating fundamental questions: What constitutes justice? What are the limits of authority? What does it mean to be a citizen today? The workshop will approach Antigone as a social metaphor that bridges antiquity and the present, employing these questions as dramaturgical material for the development of a contemporary practice of participatory social theatre. This workshop embodies the creative tension between process and product: the experiential process enriches the co-created theatrical output, while the resulting scenes provide a meaningful reflection of participants’ collaborative exploration of justice, democracy, and civic responsibility.
ΝΟΤΕS:
It is recommended (but not obligatory) that participants have read the play (in any language). Before the workshop, a summary in English and Turkish will be sent as well as specific 3-4 pages of the play in English that we will work on in the workshop. Participants are also kindly asked το wear comfortable clothes and shoes for movement in the space and on the floor. The workshop contains exercises and games with possible physical contact. Traditional musical instruments -if available- are welcomed!