The National Theatre of Northern Greece is one of the country’s largest theatre institutions. With its five indoor and two outdoor stages, plus the appearances it makes on tour and at festivals both in Greece and internationally, it has been a driving force on the cultural scene since 1961.

Since its foundation, the NTNG has been focused on presenting ancient drama, classic works, and plays from the Greek and international repertoire. However, the Theatre also makes use of its position on the Greek cultural and social scene to develop, promote and disseminate the art of theatre pedagogically, educationally and through its performances.
 
The NTNG is a private legal non-profit entity and is governed by a seven-member Board of Directors along with the Artistic Director. It is supervised and funded by the Hellenic Ministry of Culture.
 
As a public theatre, the National Theatre of Northern Greece has forged a strategy which revolves around the following axes:

•   a wide-ranging repertory
•    high-quality productions for children and young people
•    a focus on theatre education and educational activities
•    strong ties and partnerships with cultural institutions, municipal authorities, bodies and social institutions
•    an emphasis on social policy
•    social activities which raise public awareness
•    low ticket prices with a wide range of concessions
•    a powerful international presence
•    researching, exploring and experimenting with new forms of theatre and on-stage expression
•    creating conditions and incentives to promote and encourage the country’s theatrical potential



The NTNG’s annual programme brings together its own in-house theatre productions with co-productions with other theatre organizations, stagings of productions from Greece and abroad, and a wide range of cultural events. The Theatre also stages long summer tours around Greece and winter tours of Northern Greece, and organizes the annual Forest Festival, a major cultural event for Thessaloniki which includes concerts, theatre and dance.

The NTNG’s Children’s Stage and Youth Stage present high-quality productions for children and young people on a yearly basis. Infant theatre performances are also given.

Educational Programmes aimed at children in primary and secondary education, Theatre Workshops for children, teenagers, adults and people with disabilities, thematic tributes, lectures, open discussions, seminars, exhibitions, and play writing competitions are just some of the parallel activities which the NTNG organizes in line with its educational and social policy.

The NTNG Drama School provides a full theatrical education free of charge, and has been a nursery for young actors since 1973. The purpose of the School is to provide a higher education in the dramatic arts and to produce well-educated and trained theatre professionals for the Greek Stage.
 
In addition, In the context of its social policy, the NTNG engages in activities provided free of charge to special social groups.

As a member of the Union of the Theatres of Europe and the International Theatre Institute, the NTNG has a robust presence beyond Greece participating in international festivals and programmes, productions and artists exchanges as well as international workshops.

Emphasis is placed on projects developing ties with Europe, especially South-Eastern, as well as with Greek communities outside Greece.

Click on the links below to find out more about:
•    The NTNG’s Educational Work
•    The NTNG’s Parallel Activities and Programmes
•    The NTNG’s Social Programme
•    The NTNG’s International Activities
•    Co-funded European Programmes

 

The NTNG’s educational work

The National Theatre of Northern Greece’s educational work is an integral part of its mission, as described in its founding law:

“The purpose of the National Theatre of Northern Greece is to promote the artistic cultivation of the nation through the dramatic arts, and to preserve its national cultural identity. With this goal in mind, it will develop, promote and disseminate theatre as a cultural, pedagogical, educational and entertainment aspect of the social life of Macedonia and Thrace, and of the nation as a whole” (Law 2273 National Theatre, National Theatre of Northern Greece and other provisions, 27/12/1994).
 
The NTNG contributes to theatre education and the promotion of the dramatic arts as a pedagogical and educational body through the following means:

•    Drama School
The founding of the NTNG Drama School in 1973 was a crucial milestone in the history of the theatre. Over the decades since, the Drama School has provided a complete and high-level theatrical education to its students free of charge, training actors and nurturing talent to its full potential.
For more

•    Children’s Stage
The NTNG’s Children’s Stage was founded in 1977. Since then, it has staged high-quality performances for children with a view to entertaining them, but also to acquainting young theatre-goers with key theatrical works, helping them respond to theatre, encouraging them to think about real-world issues, and cultivating mature adult audiences for the future.
For more

•    Youth Stage
The NTNG’s Youth Stage was founded in 2008 and presents performances aimed at teenagers. Works that spotlight contemporary social issues such as racism, refugees, bullying etc. occupy an important place in the Youth Stage’s repertoire.
For more

•    Infant Theatre
The NTNG’s Infant Theatre was introduced in 2017. It offers specially-designed short performances for infants and toddlers in which colours, sounds and images take the lead.

•    Educational programmes
Since 2002, the NTNG has been staging regular educational programmes for primary and secondary school students
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•    Theatre Workshops
The NTNG has been running theatre workshops since 2015. Specialized theatre educators organize courses for children, young people, adults and people with disabilities. In addition, full-day summer art workshops are offered for children. Also, from time to time, shorter festive workshops are organized.
For more

•    The Teacher's Hotline
The NTNG set up its “Teacher's Hotline” with a view to contributing to the work of teachers, facilitating their communication with the theatre, and providing them with support on issues relating to the use of theatrical techniques in education. Teachers in primary and secondary education can contact the competent department by phone (on 2315 200 023) to request information and educational materials. The hotline is operational Monday-Friday, 09:00-16:00. This is a free service.


The NTNG’s parallel activities and programmes

• All-day Events
From 2013 until 2019, the NTNG organized a number of thematic events under the umbrella title “Big Days”.  “Big Days” were all-day events that acquainted young and old alike with important playwrights through lectures, seminars, workshops, theatre games and a host of other activities.
Since 2022, the NTNG is staging a new series of parallel activities untitled “Rainbow Sundays” which seek to contribute to the public conversation on issues of broad social interest. On “Rainbow Sundays”, raising awareness on issues that concern and very often divide society becomes a primary objective. These events allow the NTNG to present alternative perspectives and create a safe context for fruitful discussions in a public arts space where people are free to express themselves and to voice dissent.
Attendance in all-day events is free.

• “MeTaTheatrika” parallel events
2020 saw the launch of a series of parallel events under the umbrella title “MeTaTheatrika”. These include discussions with the cast and crew of NTNG productions as well as with theatre theorists.

• Stage and backstage tours
The NTNG organizes group stage and backstage tours for school groups at the Royal (Vasiliko) Theatre. Requests should be sent to [email protected].

• Costume exhibitions
Since the autumn of 2016, the NTNG has been making a systematic effort to put on display costumes held in its wardrobe department. Costumes are shown in the permanent exhibition “Traces of the ephemeral” in the Royal (Vasiliko) Theatre, temporary exhibitions installed in the foyers of the Theatre of the Society of Macedonian Studies and Lazaristes Monastery as well as exhibitions realized by other entities.
 
In “Traces of the ephemeral” exhibition, curated by the set and costume designer Ioulia Stavridou, visitors can admire costumes of high aesthetic value, designed by important costume designers, for landmark productions staged at the NTNG since its opening in 1961. A relevant catalogue is available. Both the costume exhibition and the catalogue are part of the Partnership Agreement Operational Programme “Central Macedonia 2014-2020” (ESPA 2014-2020) and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Public Investment Programme (PIP).
For more

• Various actions and programmes in collaboration with various institutions
The NTNG organizes readings, presentations, events, workshops etc. in collaboration with various institutions, such as:
Thessaloniki State Orchestra, Thessaloniki Concert Hall, State Conservatory of Thessaloniki Thessaloniki, Film Festival, Vafopoulio Cultural Centre, Philippi-Thassos Festival, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University of Macedonia, Archaeological Museum of Thessaloniki, Museum of Byzantine Culture, White Tower Museum, Folklife and Ethnological Museum of Macedonia-Thrace, Teloglion Foundation of Art, the Metropolitan Organisation of Museums of Visual Arts of Thessaloniki (MOMus), Region of Central Macedonia, Cyprus Theatre Organisation, City of Thessaloniki, Municipality of Neapolis-Sykies, Municipality of Thermi, Municipality of Ampelokipoi-Menemeni, Municipality of Kalamaria, Municipality of Thermaikos , Municipality of Pylaia-Chortiatis, Attiko Metro, Department of Secondary Education for Western Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki Arts School, Hellenic Theatre/Drama & Education Network, French Institute of Thessaloniki, British Council, General Consulate of Russia in Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki Traders Association, Parallaxi, and the Regional Municipal Theatres of Ioannina, Agrinio, Veria, Kozani, Serres, Kavala.

• Publications
The NTNG’s publishing activities are aimed at promoting theatre research. Our programmes provide important information about the plays and their authors. We seek to make their contents original, using original texts or new Greek translations of existing texts. In recent years, a systematic effort has been made to enrich the programmes with unpublished plays and original translations. From 2022 onwards, NTNG programmes are also available in digital format as part of the theatre’s ecological policy.
 
Programmes of past productions are offered to the public free of charge in digital format.

Recent NTNG publications include:
•    The programme for the anniversary production of  “Mikra Dionysia”, which documents every ancient drama production staged since the foundation of the NTNG (2011)
•    The digital publication “Ancient drama at the NTNG, 1961–2016” (2016)
•    The catalogue for the permanent costume exhibition, “Traces of the ephemeral” (2019)
The catalogue is part of the Partnership Agreement Operational Programme “Central Macedonia 2014-2020” (ESPA 2014-2020) and co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Public Investment Programme (PIP).

• Digital  archive
The impressive historical and artistic archive of the National Theatre of Northern Greece has been fully digitized and is now saved in its entirety in an electronic repository. Fully accessible through the NTNG’s dynamic web portal  ntng.gr, it attracts online visitors, researchers and educators. The collection can also be accessed from the Digital Library in the foyer of the Royal (Vasiliko) Theatre, which is open daily, admission free.
For more

 

The NTNG’s Social Programme

In the context of its social policy, the National Theatre of Northern Greece makes it possible for people with disabilities, the unemployed and theatre professionals to attend performances free of charge. Furthermore, tickets are offered at reduced prices for specific social groups.

It also responds positively to requests for free entry from organizations working with vulnerable social groups, such as the: Society for the Protection of Juveniles in Thessaloniki; Thessaloniki Psychiatric Hospital; International Society for Mental Health Services; “Zephyros” Residential Home, Evosmos; “Estia” Day Centre; OKANA; “Ianos” Department for Addiction Rehabilitation; Médecins du monde; SOS Children’s Village, Greece; the Smile of the Child; “Melissa” Residential Home; Papafio Child Care Centre; Chronic Diseases Clinic, Drama; “Sotir” Social Support and Rehabilitation Centre for People with Disabilities.

 

At the same time, the NTNG stages various activities designed to raise social awareness of, boost solidarity with, and provide assistance to vulnerable social groups. These include:

•    Actions in hospitals (paediatric departments)
•    Readings and actions for the elderly, addicts, prison inmates and people with disabilities in cooperation with municipal social services and organizations such as the: Greek Association of Alzheimer’s Disease and Related Disorders; Thessaloniki Open Care Centre for the Elderly; “Agios Panteleimon” Social Care Unit; “Anaplasi” Rehabilitation Centre; “Eirmos” Residential Care Home of the International Society for Mental Health Services; the Second Chance School, “Diavaton” Prison Foundation; KETHEA rehabilitation program, Kassandra and Grevena prisons; Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Department of Psychology “Promoting Self-help” Programme; Ithaca Therapeutic Community; and the Red Cross.
•    Performances in sign language with free entry for the deaf
•    Organizing theatre workshops for refugees, people with disabilities, addicts
•    Donating box office takings to social institutions
•    Cooperating with Médecins du Monde in the collection of medicines
•    Cooperating with the NGO ARSIS to raise funds for refugees by collecting requisite items and providing creative activities for children
•    Cooperating with the Make-A-Wish organization to make the wishes of children with serious health problems come true

 

The NTNG’s International Activities

One of the National Theatre of Northern Greece’s main objectives is promoting international theatrical exchanges and collaborations and developing relationships with Greek communities abroad.

Moreover, in recent years, NTNG productions have been performed with surtitles in English to make them accessible to non-Greek-speakers resident in Thessaloniki and to visitors from abroad.

The NTNG is a member of the International Theatre Institute and the Union of Theatres of Europe (since May 1996). At the same time, it is active across Europe, with a particular focus on the sensitive and geopolitically crucial area of the Balkans and South-East Europe in general, through collaborations through European Co-Funding Programmes, participations at international festivals, co-productions, the hosting of performances and artists, running workshops, projects and residencies featuring the participation of artists active internationally.

The NTNG’s international presence and activity revolves around two axes:
• International collaborations and festivals at NTNG venues and stages
• Frequent participations at international festivals and international tours


International events at the NTNG

• Hosting—Residency of the “ISO” young artists’ theatre group of the Union of Theatres of Europe (2017)
• “Greeks of the World” (2018)
• Meeting of Young Artists of Southeast Europe “Ancient Drama and Politics” (2017, 2018, 2019)
• Mini International Festival “Europe Speaks Out” within the framework of the 2nd #SKG Bridges Festival (2019)
• Workshop with Volker Ludwig (GRIPS Theatre Berlin) and Vasilis Koukalani (2020)
• UTE 30 Years Anniversary Album (2020)
• UTE General Assembly at the NTNG (2023)
• International Forest Festival (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023)


International tours - Participation in festivals

• International tour of “Plato’s Apology of Socrates” directed by Dimos Avdeliodis (2016)
• Presentation of “The Gift”, directed by Koldo Vío at the 35th International Puppet Festival of Bilbao (2016)
• Presentation of Leon A. Nar’s “I Have Never Forgotten You” directed by Michalis Sionas at the Habima Theatre in Tel Aviv (2018)
• Participation in the “18th Meet In Beijing Arts Festival” in Beijing, China (2018)
• Participation in the “Future of Europe” Festival of the Stuttgart State Theatre-Germany with the production “After the Campsite” directed by Michalis Sionas (2018)
• Participation in the 18th Festival of The Union of the Theatres of Europe at the Hungarian Theatre of Cluj with Kostas Vostantzoglou΄s “The Elephant” directed by Yannis Leontaris (2019)
• “MYTHOS?!” playwriting competition, a collaboration of the NTNG and Regensburg Theatre (2021)
• ”Decalogue of Anxiety” a coproduction of the NTNG, Theatre-Laboratory Sfumato-Sofia, and the National Theatre of Luxembourg in the framework of UTE’s “CATASTROPHE project” (2022)
• Participation in the 20th Festival of the Union of the Theatres of Europe at the Hungarian Theatre of Cluj with the production “Algorithm. Surrealistic Wanderings Through Memory” by Alexandra Kazazou & Eleana Georgouli (2023)

* The data refer to NTNG’s international activity during 2016-2023 period. For the latest news about the theatre’s international activity as well as for more information about previous years, please visit the theatre’s Digital Archive.


Participation in European Co-funding programmes

Creative Europe

• Digital Natives
The NTNG participated in the “Digital Natives” programme, co-financed by the Creative Europe Programme (2018-2019), in collaboration with four other theatre-members of the Union of Theatres of Europe: the Volkstheater (Vienna, Austria), the Comédie de Reims (Reims, France), the Cluj Theatre (Romania) and the Schauspiel Köln (Germany)

 
National Strategic Reference Framework

• International Forest Festival
The International Forest Festival is implemented since 2017 in the framework of the Operational Programme “Central Macedonia 2014-2020”, with the co-funding of the European Union and National Funds.
 
• The NTNG in Education
In the context of the “New School”, an initiative of the Greek Ministry of Education, Research and Religious Affairs, the National Theatre of Northern Greece is delivering “The NTNG in Education”, a series of specialized educational programmes for primary and secondary school students, in cooperation with the Departments of Primary and Secondary Education, in five regions around Greece (Central Macedonia, Western Macedonia, Eastern Macedonia-Thrace, Epirus and Thessaly).

• Prometheus
“Prometheus” is an innovating programme that develops a Context-aware Adaptive 3D Projection based on Motion and Activity Estimation for the Immersive and Interactive Experience of Ancient Drama Performances. The programme is realised by the National Theatre of Northern Greece in collaboration with the University of Patras and IRIDA Labs and funded by the Partnership Agreement Operational Programme “Central Macedonia 2014-2020” (ESPA 2014-2020).

• Digital Stage
In the context of efforts to showcase and digitize the NTNG’s valuable archive, the Digital Stage aims to make its archival material available to the general public. It does so both online, by means of an upgraded website, educational exhibits, digital exhibitions, a virtual museum and educational apps, and through an interactive installation to be housed in the Theatre which will allow visitors to browse the NTNG’s digital cultural resources. The project is being implemented as part of the EU’s European Regional Development Fund and is funded by both European and national resources.


Recovery and Resilience Facility

Finally, in the framework of the Recovery and Resilience Fund, the National Theatre of Northern Greece is also implementing a series of projects relating to:
• digitally upgrading the NTNG Drama School / Digital Register
• running “Theatre and Therapy”, drama education programmes for adolescents and adults with mental illnesses in the context of a wide-ranging Cultural Treatment programme administered by the Ministry of Culture)