One of the MA programs offered by the Department of Theatre Studies (University of the Peloponnese) is titled "MA in Drama and Performing Arts in Education and Lifelong Learning" (DPAELL). Its issue of interest lies within the study, promotion and transmission of knowledge related to drama in education and the performing arts, along with the development of technology awareness and of adequate applications in the fields of theatrology, education and lifelong learning. Viewing everything through this frame of perspective, this MA program aims not only at research development but also at the specialization of the participants, both scholars, artists and animators.
The DPAELL in Nafplion is the first one in Greece which cultivates knowledge and theatre-paedagogical skills and also retains its theoretical/ artistic dimension. Upon the announcement of its commencement (Summer 2014) and within 15 days, 109 candidates submitted their applications, thirty-two of which were successfully selected and were given the chance to register and to attend the graduate courses and workshops every weekend. The novelty of DPAELL is that the courses are not taught only by the faculty of the Department of Theatre Studies, but also by faculty of other universities and by specialists in the fields of drama, theatre, drama therapy, cinema, adult education, music, dance, lighting, creative writing, cross-cultural or intercultural education and other relevant specialties from all over Greece.
The graduate students, even from the very start of their studies, conducted research, sometimes relevant to the wider area of Argolida, its people and the culture developed within its borders. They also organised a lot of theatrical workshops for children, presented books on the art of drama in education-which they, themselves, narrated fairy tales that the same had written (Fairy Tale Marathon every year) and acquainted the public with outstanding individuals from Argolida. During their second semester , they continued the events which focused not only on teenagers, babies and elderly people but also on puppet shows (Puppet Festival) and videos. The events took place in co-operation with the Municipality of Nafplio and other cultural institutions such as the Archaeological Museum, the Gate of Culture ( Pyli Politismou ), the Centres of Environmental Education of N. Kios and of Lithakia ( Zakynthos) , and mostly with Fougaro, the place of art and life at nafpplio.. Furthermore, the DPAELL students gained access to e-publishing, thus creating - apart from the Net Page (site) of the Department (ts.uop.gr Postgraduate Studies)- their own Website on Facebook (Μεταπτυχιακό Πρόγραμμα Σπουδών- Τμήμα Θεατρικών Σπουδών- Ναύπλιο) with more than 100,000 visitors in the last trimester, and an e-paper called "Theatronio N30". Last but not least, they occasionally collaborate with sites based in Nafplio -and regularly with Argonafplia.gr.
The DPAELL is coordinated by Dr. Asterios Tsiaras, who is Associate Professor and Vice Rector for Academic & Student Affairs at the University of the Peloponnese and also by the support of Alkistis Kondyianni, who mainly is responsible for prison education at Tirynth and Nafplio Prisons, in which the master gives a lot of attention and practice every year, since 2015.
