Classical Theatre as an educational tool. Conversation with Four Directors of Greco-Roman Youth Theatre Groups

Abstract

Theater and para-theatrical activities ⸻such as staged reading and role-playing⸻ have proven to be highly effective pedagogical tools in a wide range of educational contexts, including Spanish Language and Literature, Spanish as a Foreign Language (SFL), foreign language learning, and, notably, the study of classical civilizations. However, integrating theatrical practices into the classroom as part of the learning process is one thing; taking the further step of forming theater companies and staging Greco-Roman classical plays is quite another. This paper presents the testimonies of four Classics educators who have embraced this challenge by founding and directing theater groups that, despite the natural turnover of participants, have built a rich and enduring legacy. Their generous responses to our questionnaire offer valuable insights into the pedagogical, cultural, and institutional dimensions of their long-standing theatrical endeavours.