The “Theatre of Integration” project utilizes the power of theatre to facilitate social inclusion and works towards a vision of European society without racism and discrimination. Young Greeks, with or without a migrant past, come together with refugees to create multicultural theatre ensembles in the heart of Athens and Piraeus. The goals are to inspire a love for theatre and the arts in participants and to further their collaboration and creativity. Throughout the procedure, great emphasis is set upon intercultural exchange between the participants during rehearsals, as these provide a unique opportunity to come into contact with new cultures and to socialise in a creative environment outside of the refugee camps. Theatre is the ideal tool to further camaraderie, as it possesses a unique power to allow people to open up and express themselves, which is the cornerstone of social inclusion and integration. Guided by professional actors and directors, the ensembles create theatrical performances in order to highlight their successful collaboration, to send a loud and clear message against racism and discrimination, and to build self-confidence and sense of collective accomplishment.

A class of seven second and third grade refugee children studying in the primary school in Eisingen with no previous connection to theater developed a small theatrical performance with the guidance of their teacher and Petros. After just ten rehearsals they performed with great success in their school in front of all their teachers and classmates. The next day they travelled 6km to the city of Pforzheim were they set foot on a “real” theatrical stage for the first time.

In Pforzheim, the children joined forces with the youth theater club paradiXon, which had developed the performance “Odyssey in 20 Minutes” with Petros, to perform alongside each other. The two ensembles met, exchanged ideas and prepared together for their joint performance in front of a diverse audience of 80 people.

The excitement and love for theater was palpable and everybody present witnessed a great example of a successful intercultural artistic collaboration.