performed Sep.2024 in Buzău Romania at Centrul Muzeal
Circul Blestemat (The cursed circus)
A prequel of Hotel Nemesis
an EFFEA Story: Georgia Tsangaraki - EFFEA residency
This show was a result of my residency in Buzău during August and September of 2024. EFFEA (European Funding for Emerging artists) has chosen my work and in collaboration with BIAF( Buzău,International arts Festival) I had the honor and the joy to work with actors and young amateurs on a play I wrote called “Hotel Nemesis.” It is a cabaret comedy set in the 1920s that combines elements of music, dance, and theater. The work we did during my residency focused on the educational method I created, “The Spiral Effect.”
The Spiral Effect is an acting method based on the idea of choral work and ensemble performance. It is inspired by the Greek chorus, a convention found in ancient Greek tragedies. I have been acting, directing, and teaching theater for many years in Greece and abroad, and my desire to decode and interpret this genre—ancient Greek tragedies—led me to organize this practice and create this educational method.
The Spiral Effect is centered on body and voice exercises, text analysis, and most importantly, the concept of ensemble work. It emphasizes the importance of belonging and sharing, while simultaneously allowing individuals to shine as unique performers. The core tool of the method is Peripheral Vision, a technique that unites the energy of the group and elevates the importance of the main event on stage. It provides participants the freedom to exist on stage, creating a safe space for emotional exploration, while helping individuals evolve both personally and artistically. My studies in Dramatherapy have also played a crucial role in allowing me to approach each artist I work with in a gentle and open-minded manner.
During this residency, I had the joy of working mostly with very young people, many of whom were just beginning to express their needs and dreams. Respect for each person's individual timing, mutual respect, discipline, availability, creativity, and non-judgmental positions were key elements of the “contract” we established in order to work together. This workshop became a platform for their personal growth. We created a devised piece based on the original play, but also incorporating their own reality. I believe this process helped them connect with themselves and each other, while also building a beautiful community.
I remember how difficult it was for them in the early days to concentrate, bring their energy into the present moment, and express their thoughts and feelings. Having a teenage daughter myself, I felt a deep curiosity and decided to approach them with a direct and open call: "Why are you here, and what do you expect from this collaboration?"
I can’t recall exactly which day it was, but suddenly, I had a strong, professional group of young artists rehearsing all day and asking for more!
Theater has always been a form of therapy, dating back to ancient Greece. The Asclepieia were healing centers located next to theaters and stadiums throughout Greece, where the body and soul were closely connected, and the art of theater was seen as therapeutic. This workshop gently and safely introduced this group of young people to the art of theater-making and allowed them to discover another side of themselves.
The final performance was titled “The Cursed Circus” and served as a prequel to Hotel Nemesis! It included dancing, singing, texts written by the participants, as well as scenes from the original play.
A few months later, I traveled to Crete to work with the Antivaro Theater Group as part of a collaboration with Manolis Seiragakis and his festival. The three-day workshop was based on Jean Genet’s Le Funambule. The scenic qualities of the text, in open dialogue with the Spiral Effect method, provided the group with elements that strengthened both their collective and individual interpretive capacities. The circus conventions in the text and the hidden comedy of the cabaret world were key pieces of the puzzle we created during my stay in Crete.
Overall, my experience during the residency was eye-opening, fulfilling, and inspiring. My love for working with people and creating safe theatrical communities—while exploring new ways of scenic communication—has flourished and developed. It has given me the energy and courage to continue. I am filled with gratitude for this priceless opportunity.
