European theatre has a long history, dating back to ancient times, and is distinguished by an outstanding diversity of forms. A large part of this tradition concerns forms of theatre based on collective creation that reflect the cultural diversity that is characteristic of contemporary European societies, as well as aspects of social experience that cannot be expressed in other social fields. Contemporary theatre is not only performed before an audience that observes, but often seeks to cultivate an audience that actively participates, critically reflects upon what is performed and intervenes, to the extent that the distinction between actors and spectators becomes meaningless. Thus theatre, often described as “the most social of all arts”, encourages communal sharing, the expression of unconventional thoughts, the reaction to oppressive conditions, the processing of reality and even the rehearsal of its creative subversion. Through communal sharing a deeper understanding may be established, toleration may be fostered, and finer shades of one's personality may be shown.

However participative in their intent, and “poor” in their means, such forms of theatre do not reach each and every person that would benefit from them. Incarcerated people are among those who are systematically deprived of such favorable opportunities: The limitations placed on them prevent them from attending, let alone actively participating in cultural events. However, the multiple benefits of using the arts, especially theatre, in adult education of members of vulnerable social groups have been extensively documented both in theory and in practice. When it comes to issues of self-worth and confidence, self-expression and exploration, self-development, and social skills, arts education has been shown to empower persons who are incarcerated. Incarcerated participants acquire attention and discipline through the art itself; and experience the satisfaction of finishing a collective project through hard common work. The artistic creative process frequently results in a finished work that may be shown, inspiring feelings of achievement, pride, and purpose as well as a deeper understanding that there is a chance of life change. 

Under this perspective, throughout the last 3 years, a group of European theatrical organizations (from Italy, France, Greece, and recently Romania), along with a Second Chance School operating in a Greek prison and a University Computing Department, have tried to facilitate a distinct pathway for the incarcerated (but rather talented) people with theatrical lessons delivered inside prisons. 

In the most stimulating way, participants in each theatrical group demonstrate their expressive skills, promote and develop theatre and art-related activities within a stressful and limited environment, and acquire valuable social competencies. 

An Erasmus+ funded program – ATTACH: the ArT of Theatron As a second Chance, coordinated by the 1st Second Chance School of Domokos prison, has just been completed and outputs of the project will be released shortly. 

During the last 30 months, participating organizations have implemented 4 transnational meetings, 2 LTTA events, 4 multiplier events and delivered 4 distinct intellectual outputs. Most importantly, they provided incarcerated participants with the chance to become equal members of theatrical groups, stimulating their body, mind, emotions and imagination in a structured, yet at the same time, free and open framework. 

Members of the consortium of ATTACH project with the addition of a Romanian theatrical organization, will continue working together in another European-funded project under the Creative Europe Call. Namely, the INTEGRATE - INclusion and educaTional EnliGhtenment with dRAma and ThEatre project has just started, aspiring to directly address the need to implement cultural activities for social groups who are systematically excluded. In this particular project, the main focus group is again incarcerated participants from 4 European prisons (i.e Greece, Italy, France and Romania) 

Each of the 4 teams will apply different theatrical methods and techniques to their work with the respective teams of incarcerated participants. We intend to try and combine those well-known methods, through training events that will actively involve the theatre instructors, apart from the incarcerated participants, allowing them to share experiences and know-how that will strengthen their skills and the overall sustainability of the program’s results. The 4 main theatrical approaches upon which the respective groups’ work will develop are: 

Theatre De’ l Opprime theatrical organization that will introduce the Forum Theatre technique, drawn from Augusto Boal’s distinguished approach, widely known as Theatre of the Oppressed

Sigma Art foundation that will apply Social Theatre and its unique techniques

Balamos Teatro that will ground their work with prisoners in Venice prison on improvisational theatre 

Apicco community that will collaborate with people incarcerated in Domokos prison (Greece), applying Process Theatre techniques.

The above-mentioned approaches and techniques vary from each other, but all fit under the umbrella of applied theatre, in that they represent non-traditional forms of theatre that aim to explore issues of concern to specific communities, with their active involvement. During the course of the project, we aim to encourage an active collaboration between the teams involved, which will allow them to exchange experiences and ideas as they progress, and develop an invested audience for the final presentations of their work.

Nikolaos Mallios

Headteacher - 1st Second Chance School of Domokos

EPALE Ambassador in Greece

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