Theatre groups of young artists and the greek reality: the case of the experimental ensemble "Faltsoi"

This master’s thesis explores the conditions under which young professional artists work within independent experimental theatre in Greece. It examines the relationship between artistic creation, production, communication, funding, audience development, and the sustainability of theatre collectives.

The research was developed both as a study of the Greek independent theatre landscape and as a practical point of reference for young professional artists who wish to develop their work independently. It responds to a recurring gap between artistic education and the everyday realities of professional practice: artists may be trained to create, perform, direct, or research, yet they are often required to organise, communicate, finance, and sustain their work without having received formal preparation in these areas.

The thesis therefore brings together accessible knowledge, examples, and practical strategies related to production, cultural communication, audience development, funding, sponsorship, collaboration, and professional networking. Its aim is not to turn artists into marketers or business managers, but to support them in understanding the structures that shape their work and in making informed decisions about how they produce, communicate, and sustain their artistic practice.

Experimental theatre is approached both as a field of artistic research and innovation and as a particular form of cultural production. Independent theatre groups often work with limited resources, unstable conditions, and restricted institutional support, while their members take on multiple roles as artists, performers, organisers, producers, fundraisers, and communication managers.

The study pays particular attention to cultural marketing and communication as ways of making artistic work visible, accessible, and connected to its audiences. It examines the use of social media, press communication, educational activities, public events, festivals, local partnerships, and audience feedback. In this context, marketing is understood not as the commercialisation of art, but as part of the broader process through which cultural work reaches and builds relationships with the public.

The research also considers the funding possibilities available to young theatre collectives in Greece, including public grants, private sponsorship, European cultural programmes, festivals, municipal partnerships, cultural organisations, educational initiatives, and informal local networks. It considers both the opportunities these routes create and the financial, organisational, and institutional barriers that can limit their accessibility.

Methodologically, the thesis combines literature review with qualitative interviews conducted with three theatre groups active in Thessaloniki: Monstrare Art Group, Hippo Theatre Group, and Novan Theatre Group. It also includes a detailed case study of an independent experimental theatre project developed by Faltsoi. The case study follows the project from its preparation and presentation at the SKG Bridges Festival in Thessaloniki to a tour across northern and western Greece.

By tracing this process, the thesis documents the often-invisible labour behind independent theatre production: finding and negotiating spaces, communicating with festivals, municipalities, archaeological authorities and local media, seeking sponsorship, managing touring logistics, responding to technical needs, and engaging audiences in different local contexts.

The thesis concludes that artistic quality is fundamental, but it cannot by itself secure the sustainability of an independent theatre initiative. Young professional artists also need realistic financial planning, shared organisational responsibilities, communication strategies, lasting audience relationships, and networks of collaboration and support. The study therefore calls for more transparent and accessible funding structures, as well as stronger education in production, cultural management, communication, fundraising, and resource development.

Master’s Thesis, 2020
Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
Supervisor: Dr. Grigoris Paschalidis
Language: Greek
Full text in Greek: [Available here.]