The Centre for Alternative Theatre Training (CATT) invites you to the magical home of Greek tragedy, Argos, just 14km from ancient Mycenae, home of Clytemnestra, Agamemnon and the Oresteia, and 12km from Nafplio and the beaches of the Aegean Sea. Over 6 days and 30 hours of training with internationally recognised instructors, actors and welcome artists will feel the spirit of ancient Greece in modern and friendly Argos.
Towering above the town is the Castle of Larisa, a Venetian fortress standing on prehistoric ruins. Within Argos lie the ancient amphitheatre, the nympheum and agora dating back 2000 years. CATT artists will tour to these sites!
Maria Bavela is a professional dancer who trained at the Bulgarian National Academy of Dance in Sofia. She runs two dance academies, in Argos and Nemea Korinthias, and performs with her partner Giannis in competitions. A proud Argolite, Maria knows all there is to know about both dancing and the city of Argos.
Michael has directed nearly 50 professional productions in 9 languages, in more than 20 countries. Classically trained as an actor, with a PhD in drama, Michael is the Founder and Director of the Centre for Alternative Theatre Training (CATT). His first collection of produced plays, Playing Outside the Lines, was published in 2022.
Session 1 - The Artist’s Body with Maria Bavela
Each morning begins at the historic Kapodistrias Barracks. Led by professional dancer Maria Bavela, the performer is trained to powerful, expressive and flexible throughout every part of their body. The discipline of professional dance training helps the actor to meet all the demands of character and text. No previous experience required—these sessions will leave you feeling more connected to your body and the way it moves.
Session 2 - The Artist’s Body and Soul with Michael Devine
Contemporary actors face obstacles in their understanding of classical text and characters: the distance between now and then seems overwhelming and unbridgeable. Through the games, exercises and études of BoxWhatBox, I’ll help performers connect with the primal, universal elements of classical characters. Intensive practice with the Four Expressive Vocabularies, and the practical exploration of human archetypes, equips artists with the skills to access any era.
A visual record of laboratory work, rehearsal processes, and international collaborations.