The Culture Department of the Municipality of Rhodes offers theater classes for all ages (preschoolers, elementary school children, teenagers, and adults), offering a course in self-expression, creativity, and the discovery of each participant’s personal potential. The instructor is Nikitas Katsourakis, and the sessions are held at the Culture Department’s Little Theater (3 Diagoridon St., next to the Urban Planning Office).
Course Schedule
The weekly schedule is as follows:
- Thursday 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: for adults
- Friday 5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.: for preschoolers
- Friday 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM: for elementary school children
- Saturday 5:30 PM – 7:00 PM: for teenagers
Registration and Payment Process
Registration, applications, and tuition payments are handled exclusively online. The registration process takes place via the dimotikoodeiorodou.gr platform and includes the following steps:
1. Register as a user by providing an email address and creating a password.
2. An account activation email will be sent to the provided email address.
3. Log in to the platform using your personal information.
4. Select “Workshop Applications” and indicate the course you are interested in.
Tuition payments are made at www.teledimos.gr using Taxisnet credentials.
Tuition Discounts and Exemptions
As part of the Municipality of Rhodes’ social policy promoting equal access to culture and support for vulnerable or special groups, the following reductions are provided:
- Individuals with a disability rating of 67% or higher: 100% exemption upon presentation of a K.E.P.A. certificate.
- People with a disability rating of 67% or less: They are entitled to a 50% discount upon presentation of a K.E.P.A. certificate.
- Low-income individuals: 100% exemption upon presentation of a certificate of financial hardship.
- Long-term unemployed: They are 100% exempt, provided their annual taxable income does not exceed 3,000.00 euros.
- Students: Are entitled to a 20% discount upon presentation of a certificate of enrollment or student ID.
- Families with three or more children, employees of the Municipality of Rhodes and the Region of South Aegean: Are entitled to a 50% discount upon presentation of the relevant certificate.
- Employees of the Ministry of Education: Are entitled to a 30% discount upon presentation of a certificate of employment or a recent pay stub.
- Prepayment of Tuition: A 15% discount is offered for a one-time prepayment of the full year’s tuition.
To submit the relevant documentation and for any further information, interested parties may contact the offices of the Department of Culture (3 Diagoridon St., tel.: 2241026385, ext. 2 & 6) between 10:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m.
Course Content
Theater begins with the imagination, comes to life through the body and voice, and brings people closer together. In these classes, preschoolers, elementary school children, teenagers, and adults are introduced to the art of theater through a creative experience tailored to the age, pace, and abilities of each group. No prior experience is required—just a willingness to participate.
Here’s a closer look at each age group:
For preschoolers: Theater becomes play. Through fairy tales, imitation, music, theatrical play, and creative movement, children discover characters, express emotions, and create their own little stories. Puppet theater and shadow theater enrich the play, bringing puppets, figures, and imaginary worlds to life.
For elementary school children: Imagination takes the stage. Through improvisation, role-playing, dramatizing stories, and group activities, children exercise their bodies and voices, learn to collaborate, and present their ideas. Special emphasis is placed on creating theatrical scenes and preparing performances, from the initial introduction to a role all the way to presenting it in front of an audience.
For teenagers: This is a space for expression, communication, and creativity. Through acting, improvisation, character development, and stage movement, teenagers explore stories and emotions and give voice to their thoughts. Through workshops on stage speech and exercises in presenting in front of an audience, they cultivate their expressiveness, clarity of speech, and self-confidence on stage.
For adults: An invitation to try new experiences, tap into your imagination, and experience the joy of the stage. Through acting, movement, and improvisation exercises, participants develop their stage presence and communication skills within the group. Speech workshops and practice in performing in front of an audience help participants use their voices and bodies with greater ease.
Overall, the program combines acting, theatrical improvisation, theatrical games, puppetry, shadow theater, movement studies, choreography, music, physical exercises, breathing and vocal expression exercises, rhythmic games, pantomime, storytelling, dramatization, as well as workshops on stage speech. At the same time, the program includes an introduction to costumes, sets, and theatrical props. The work of the classes is presented through short open performances or a final show, depending on the progress of the course.
About the Instructor
Nikitas Katsourakis is a PE60 educator, a graduate of the Department of Education and a certified musician in the TE16 field (with studies in Solo Singing-Melodrama and Specialized Harmony). He holds a master’s degree in Environmental Education, focusing on the use of the arts as an educational tool.
His academic career has focused on folklore and the pedagogical use of theater (theatrical games, dramatization, and creative movement). He is a researcher of traditional culture and holds a degree in traditional dance, and has also pursued further studies in dance, dance kinesiology, and lyrical dance. He has served as artistic director, music director, choreographer, and costume designer for numerous theatrical productions, and has also performed as a dancer on professional stages.