Exploring the Boundaries of Theatre through the Theatre Academy and Theatre in Palm

An Article from Elena Stamatopoulou, Cube’s Participant.

My participation in the Theatre Academy, as part of the Stockholm Fringe Festival, was an incredibly dynamic experience, as it gave me the opportunity to dive deep into the creative process from different perspectives. The workshop I led, “Dancing with Elements: Chapter Earth and Mycelium Network,” aimed to connect participants with the element of earth and introduce them to the mycelium network of the forest ecosystem. Using movement and embodied experience, theatrical tools, and energy techniques, participants explored the natural interaction of the human body, focusing on both the internal and external dimensions, with an emphasis on the mycelium as a symbolic network of mutual support and cooperation.

The atmosphere and flow created during this workshop, as well as the feedback I received from participants, played a crucial role in pushing my research even deeper and more meaningfully. I observed how contact with the element of earth and the experience of movement within a fluid energy exchange environment activated new aspects of creativity in participants, encouraging them to free themselves and connect with the essence of nature as an organic whole. My own artistic approach was enriched through this process, as I discovered new ways to combine ecological sensitivity with theatrical practice, empathy, and solidarity with the performing arts.

At the same time, attending the workshop “Making Your Own Solo Performance” provided me with tools to deepen my individual narrative. This workshop introduced me to the essence of personal expression and solo creation. By analyzing different techniques for creating solo performances, I was able to better understand how an individual story can become a performative event and how the personal can be transformed into a collective message. This experience, which included particularly honest and meaningful sharing from participants, motivated me to move toward creating a solo performance.

My exposure to the “Ankoku Subbody Method” added another dimension to my relationship with the body and the unconscious. This method, based on exploring subconscious movements, gave me the opportunity to concentrate and journey with my body into uncharted paths. The techniques from the workshop helped me understand how the darker aspects of existence can be harnessed as a source of creativity and expression. This inspired me to delve even deeper into the physical approach to my art and to explore new ways of interpretation.

Meeting new artists and creators from different parts of the world, the excellent organization and support from the festival, and attending performances with diverse origins (I want to highlight the amazing interactive performance using artificial intelligence, First Contact from Athens), all contributed to enriching my own artistic mycelial network by connecting me with incredibly creative individuals.

Overall, my participation in the Theatre Academy and Theatre in Palm offered me a multifaceted artistic experience that positively influenced both my personal and professional journey. These experiences, both as a facilitator and a participant, gave me the opportunity to explore new paths of expression, enrich my artistic methods, and discover new aspects of myself.