Bios

The Cyprus Theatre Organisation (THOC) set out on its creative journey in 1971, aspiring to «promote the art of theatre in Cyprus and to cultivate a sense of artistic performance among the people, as well as to foster artistic relations between drama staged in Cyprus, Greece and other countries».

 

As a semi-governmental Organisation, THOC is placed under the supervision of the Deputy Minister of Culture and is governed by a nine-member Board of Directors (BoD) appointed by the Council of Ministers for a thirty-month term of office. Since 2017 ΤΗΟC is also headed by an Artistic Director for a three-year term, following a position announcement and approval by the BoD. The Organisation’s policy is set out by its Board of Directors.   

 

Τhe State Theatre of Cyprus offers productions on four different stages:

 

• The Main Stage hosts large-scale productions of classic, modern and contemporary plays, as well as ancient drama, intended for large audiences.

 

• The New Stage hosts socially engaged, small-cast plays of international contemporary theatre in a smaller, atmospheric space that strengthens intimacy between stage and audience.

 

• 0-18 Stage: Includes plays for children and youth, successfully reaching out to young people with performances specially organised for pupils and preschoolers.

 

• Theatre Apothikes:  Experimentation is facilitated as well as the quest for new creative ways of expression.  From this venue young talented artists and theatre people with fresh ideas can find a medium for expression.

 

The changes that have, over the past years, brought THOC at the heart of the European theatre, whilst clearly prompting a change of attitude by the audience in Cyprus vis-à-vis the Organisation, have carried on with the same enthusiasm and awareness of the set target: make theatre for the people of Cyprus with openings to and influences from the international stage.  

 

A review of THOC’ s accomplishments over its 52 years of operation would impress even the more reluctant or “indifferent” audiences to theatre: high standards of productions, demonstration of important artistic skills by actors, directors, composers, designers, choreographers etc. The Organisation’s productions have travelled to all continents, with THOC being hailed as a confident and distinguished theatre entity, contributing to the rich Greek heritage but also to the creation of bridges between cultures.  In this aspect, THOC can boast to have honoured Cyprus and theatre in general.

 

Today THOC is undoubtedly one of the most important cultural operators in Cyprus and the nucleus of theatre activity on the island; it maintains a well-respected international artistic presence with highly acclaimed productions and activities, as well as a vast array of programmes in the field of theatre development. It pursues its cultural contribution to the country by placing humans at the heart of its commitments and offering diversity in its artistic and educational endeavours, as it addresses the wider public and builds new audiences.  

 

Ιn 1979, eight years after its establishment, THOC added to its structure the Department of Theatre Development, which has since been engaged in ways and projects that broaden and promote theatre activity in Cyprus, in cooperation with other entities and social groups.

 

The main activities of the Department of Theatre Development are as follows:

 

• Subsidisation and support of independent theatres (non-profit companies), as well as ad hoc performances (since October 2022 the subsidisation programme has been transferred to the newly founded Deputy Ministry of Culture).

• Organisation of seminars, lectures, and other events related to theatre.

• Theatre in education:  Pancyprian theatre school games, workshops for professionals and educators of all academic levels, support and close collaboration with the Cyprus Ministry of Education, Sport and Youth in theatre development through the educational system.

• Amateur theatre:  Support and Organisation of the annual Pancyprian Festival of Amateur Theatre, workshops, networking etc.

• Theatre of Cypriot communities abroad: Minor yet significant support to groups keeping theatre accessible to Cypriots abroad.

• Playwriting Development, Competitions and support of Cypriot playwrights

• Collaborations with Organisations abroad: Participation in European Programs dealing with Education, outreach, intercultural exchange, multiculturalism and exchange of good practices.

• Subsidisation of organised groups (i.e. Cyprus Centre of the International Theatre Institute, Cyprus Actors’ Union, Playwrights’ Society, etc.).

• Networking and providing information regarding matters of theatre.

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