THOC hosts TIP Digital Coffee Talk: How Ancient Drama Can Develop Democracy and Cultivate Citizens – Insights from Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson
On Thursday, October 17, 2024, Theatre in Palm hosted an engaging Digital Coffee Talk featuring Professor Arlene Holmes-Henderson from Durham University. The online event, titled “Developing Democracy and Cultivating Citizens: Using Ancient Drama in the Classroom”, explored how the timeless themes of ancient Greek drama can serve as powerful tools for teaching contemporary citizenship education.
Speaking to a diverse audience of educators, theatre practitioners, and policymakers, Professor Holmes-Henderson outlined how tragedies and comedies from the ancient world offer a rich framework for discussing rights and responsibilities, power and protest, and the treatment of newcomers. These enduring works, she argued, can help students critically analyze information, form opinions, and express themselves—skills that are more essential than ever in the 21st century.
Professor Holmes-Henderson’s presentation demonstrated how ancient Greek plays like Antigone and Lysistrata can be incorporated into modern classrooms to inspire young people to engage with democratic principles and social justice. By using literature from the past as a lens to view current geopolitical and societal issues, she encouraged educators to approach citizenship education in innovative and creative ways.
A seasoned expert in Classics Education and Public Policy, Professor Holmes-Henderson’s insights drew from her extensive academic and professional background. With degrees from Oxford, Harvard, and Cambridge, as well as years of teaching experience in high schools, she brings a practical perspective to her research. Her international experience, including roles as a Fulbright Scholar and Churchill Fellow, further enriched her talk.
Professor Holmes-Henderson also highlighted the value of oracy, rhetoric, and critical thinking, all of which can be fostered through the study of ancient drama. She emphasized the importance of equipping young people with the confidence to express themselves and participate meaningfully in democratic society.
The event, held via Zoom, brought together attendees from various disciplines to discuss the enduring relevance of ancient drama in modern education. As part of the Theatre in Palm programme, it provided an invaluable opportunity to explore the intersection of theatre, education, and public policy.
This Digital Coffee Talk was a thought-provoking reminder that the lessons of the past can illuminate the path to a more informed and engaged future.
