Theatre in Greece
- Perform in a production of an ancient Greek tragedy in Lawrence's sister city
- Study modern Greek language and classical Greek culture and history
- Earn 6 hours of academic credit through completion of the program
- Includes excursions to other sites in Greece, including Athens, Delphi and Mycenae
2027 Dates:
On-Campus (Lawrence) classes & rehearsal: May 31-June 10, 2027
Depart U.S. for Athens: Sunday, June 13, 2027
Arrive in Athens: Monday, June 14, 2027
Depart Athens for U.S.: Sunday, July 25, 2027
The program will offer participants an opportunity to learn the Greek culture and language in its native environment, right in the midst of the township of Katohi, a rural farm community of Greece, and to experience preparing and performing a Greek tragedy in the ancient outdoor theatre of Oiniades.
Faculty from University of Kansas and Benedictine College will lead the program with the assistance of two local instructors. The program takes place in the Greek village of Katohi, about three miles from the ancient hilly fort complex of Oiniades where the theatre is located. The program is jointly sponsored by the University of Kansas and the village of Katohi.
Katohi offers generous support in welcoming the program to the community. To show our appreciation for the tremendous goodwill, each student and faculty member will engage in cultural activities in English language, song and dance, and acting for the children of Katohi.
Students will rehearse and perform in a production of an ancient Greek tragedy. The production will be presented in the ancient theatre of Oiniades near the end of July. The students will receive instruction in Modern Greek language throughout the summer and the play will be performed in both Greek and English.
In addition to theatre production, participants will study modern Greek language, classical Greek culture, history of ancient Greek theatre and architecture, and Greek song and dance.
All students will earn six hours of undergraduate or graduate credit.
Undergraduate Students:
THR 304 Study Abroad Topics in: Summer Theatre (3 undergraduate credits)
CLSX 375 Studies in: Summer Theatre (3 credit hours)
Graduate Students:
THR 704 Study Abroad Topics in: Summer Theatre (3 graduate credits)
CLSX 675 Studies in: Summer Theatre
Program Faculty
Dr. Paul Touyz, Assistant Professor in the Department of Classics at the University of Kansas
Dr. Nathan Bowman, Assistant Professor in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at Benedictine College
Dimitra Pitsikou, Language Instructor and Katohi resident, will teach a daily session in Modern Greek language.
Program participants and staff will reside in a school building on the quiet edge of Katohi. While in Katohi, three meals per day will be provided and are included in the program fee.
Athens (5 days): Upon arrival and the end of the program, the group will tour Athens. The program also includes excursions to sites such as Delphi, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Corinth, Nafplion, and Messolonghi. Participants will visit the Theatre of Dionysos, the Acropolis, and the National Museum among other historical and cultural sites.
Delphi (Daytrip): Delphi is the seat of the Delphic oracle featured in most Greek tragedies.
Messolonghi (Daytrip): The historic and sacred city of Messolonghi was the birthplace of modern Greek independence. We will visit the Garden of the Heroes of Greek Independence as well as a museum which includes a dedication to the English poet, Lord Byron, who gave his life in the cause of Greek liberty.
Nafplion Excursion (3 days): Nafplion was the first capital of Greece after it gained its independence in the 19th century. In Nafplion, participants will visit the historic Palamidi Fortress; a site of many of the significant events in the 19th century struggle for Greek Independence.
- Epidaurus: Participants will attend a professional production at this the most famous and well-preserved of the ancient theatres.
- Mycenae: The group will also visit was the legendary home of Agamemnon and Clytemnestra and is the site of the famous Bronze age fortress with its Lion Gate.
- Corinth: Corinth was a hub of commerce and culture in the ancient world. Participants will visit a temple to Apollo, as well as remnants of the ancient agora and baths.
All students have unique things to consider when studying abroad. A Traveler Profile is a set of personal factors, characteristics or life experiences that could impact daily life abroad. Your individual Traveler Profile may include things such as your age, foreign language proficiency, gender, medical history, medication use, mental health, mobility, piercings and tattoos, travel experience, and more.
SAGE is dedicated to creating international engagement opportunities that meet the needs of all our students and providing resources to support you through the process of studying abroad. Before selecting a program, consider how your Traveler Profile may impact your experience abroad in unique ways and talk with your Program Coordinator about any program-specific concerns. Students with documented disabilities should discuss any accommodation needs with their Program Coordinator early in the planning process.
Check our Traveler Profile pages linked below for information specific to you and other students who may be on your program.
- Adult Learners and Non-Traditional Students
- First Generation Students
- Physical and Mental Health Histories
- Religious, Spiritual, and Non-Religious Students
- Sexual and Gender Diversity
- Students of Color Abroad
- Students with Children
- Students with Financial Need
- Veterans, Active Duty, and ROTC
- Visible and Invisible Disabilities
Open to undergraduate and graduate students from any accredited U.S. college of university who have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA (exceptions considered after submission of a petition). Students who participate in the program will be subject to rigorous physical exercise in the rehearsal and performance activities and on weekend excursions. The summer climate in Greece is extremely hot and only students who are in good health are encouraged to participate.
Dr. Nathan Bowman is an Assistant Professor and Chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance
at Benedictine College. He is the Producing Artistic Director of Kansas City Public Theatre and President of Mid-America Theatre Conference. He has been an instructor for the Summer Theatre in Greece program since 2017 when he was a PhD student at the University of Kansas. His primary research area involves modern directorial techniques in producing Greek tragedy, and in particular the application of horror and Suzuki-Viewpoints actors training. Outside of the study aboard program, he has presented and published articles on producing Greek tragedy on numerous occasions in Greece.
For More Information, Contact:
Dr. Paul Touyz
Assistant Professor
Department of Classics
University of Kansas
touyz@ku.edu
Dr. Nathan Bowman
Assistant Professor
Department of Theatre Arts and Dance
Benedictine College
nbowman@benedictine.edu
Study Abroad Program Coordinator: Renee Frias
Have a quick question? Email me at: rfrias@ku.edu
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