Young students hoping to get their theatrical fix in a bilingual atmosphere can take part in the Greek Community of Melbourne’s Creative Drama and Art Centre’s classes.
Now looking for new 2015 enrolments from the ages of 4-12 plus, the classes offer a wide range of learning activities based on theatrical expression.
Program co-ordinator Katerina Poutachidou has included a varied syllabus, with lessons in pantomime, voice-training, improvisation, role-playing and puppet making.
With the classes conducted in Greek, the basis is on learning the language through fun and oral means.
The classes began for the first time last year, and with around 13 children taking part, Ms Poutachidou expects to see more youngsters attending in future.
As a Greek teacher at the Community’s Greek school for four years, Ms Poutachidou finds the drama classes a unique and fun way to teach the language outside of the rigours of grammar.
With more than 90 per cent of her students second and third generation Greeks, the class is a way for the students to meet like-minded friends and get their cultural fix throughout the week.
The classes draw on myths, poems and music, and end with a big performance at the end of the year. Last year the troop performed a version of Hans Christian Andersen’s Tin Soldier in Greek to a sell-out crowd.
The Creative Drama and Arts Centre is holding a information night on February 19 at 5.00 pm at the Andrianakos Centre, Alphington Grammar, Old Heidelberg Road, Alphington.Classes will begin on February 26, and will cost $300 for the year. For more information and to enrol, contact Katerina Poutachidou on 0424 431 373 or visit www.greekcommunity.com.au/gocmv_public/index.php/en/schools/creative-drama