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john daviskas

John was born in Kypseli Arta, a mountainous village of Epirus Tzoumerkon.  A member of a large family of poor but progressive parents, he finished with honors and great financial difficulties his high schooling studies and later went to Athens for further TAFE education.  In 1976, at the age of 26, he took the first plane to the first country that has earned him a tourist visa.  He found himself in Sydney with no job, no knowledge of the English language but with a million dreams and wishes for a new beginning.  His eagerness, however, for a better tomorrow prompted him to continue his studies and graduated from the NSW Institute of Technology in Electrical Engineering with a specialization in telecommunications.

In 1978 with a group of young Greeks manned the Greek Community Youth Association (GCYA), and it was during this time that he first came into contact with the Greek theatre.  He participated in many theatrical performances simulating various roles.  He also collaborated theatrically with the Association of Greek students at the University of Sydney.  In 1981 he participated in the theatrical group of the late director George Paizis taking part in the productions of “Stella Violanti'' and ''Philomena Marturano''.  He also helped other community theatre companies undertaking small and large roles in several plays.

In 1999, after a long interruption of some 14 years makes his first reappearance in the art world with the ''Hellenic Art Theatre'' in the play by Theodore Patrikareas, ''The Uncle from Australia''.

The first lead role came a little later in the folklore play ''O Fotinos'' impersonating the main role of Fotinos.  H has starred and participated in auxiliary roles in many plays always with the Hellenic Art Theatre (HAT) under the guidance of his dear friend and great artistic director of the troupe Stavros Economidis where admittedly most young actors of HAT owe their theatrical education.

Roles which he played and really loved are:  Jo Keller in the play '' All My Sons'', Creon in “Antigone'', Darius the “Persians'' and Agamemnon in “Iphigenia at Aulis''.

Today, John remains an active member of the troupe Hellenic Art Theatre - Australia.

Board

Stavros Economidis

Stavros Economidis, is a Greek Cypriot from Egypt and migrated to Australia at an early age. In 1965 he met his mentor, Chrysostomos Mantouridis who introduced him to the art of Theatre. After Mantouridis’ death in 1980, Stavros became the Artistic Director of the Hellenic Theatrical Group. Stavros decided to formalise his Theatrical education and attended the Ensemble Studio’s 3 year course, under Hayes Gordon. In 1983, Stavros established the Hellenic Art Theatre, a professional group and has remained to this day its Artistic Director. As an Actor, Stavros had taken part in a number of plays including the Rainmaker, Don Camillo...

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Melpo Papadopoulou

Melpo came to Australia in 1955.  She had her first contact with Chrysostomos  Mantouridis in 1956.  She worked next to her big teacher and in 1963 played her first role in the play by G. B. Shaw "Pygmalion". There followed many plays like "Hecuba" (Euripides), "Rainmaker" (R. Nash), "Lover of the Shepherdess" (D. Koromilas) and others, on most Melpo was the leading acress. When Mantouridis died she continues with Stavros Economidis.  She plays with him and participates in other productions such as "Don Camillo" (S. Pantatzis), "The Bear" (Anton Chekhov), "The Song of the Dead Brother" (M. Theodorakis) and many others...

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Evelyn Tsavalas

Evelyn (Georgiou) Tsavalas was born in Sydney, to Greek Cypriot immigrant parents.  She joined Hellenic Art Theatre in 1997 and became involved with all aspects of theatre which lead to her position of Production Manager. Evelyn and Stavros Economidis conduct Hellenic Art Theatre Children’s Workshops.   In March 2014, she   co-directed with Stavros the Youth Group’s production of ‘Robotaki’. She has also been involved in special projects, representing HAT which use theatre as a learning tool for CALD communities, in particular the Greek community and health professionals. Her acting credits with HAT are mainly Ancient Greek tragedies, as these are her passion.  She was...

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John Daviskas

John was born in Kypseli Arta, a mountainous village of Epirus Tzoumerkon.  A member of a large family of poor but progressive parents, he finished with honors and great financial difficulties his high schooling studies and later went to Athens for further TAFE education.  In 1976, at the age of 26, he took the first plane to the first country that has earned him a tourist visa.  He found himself in Sydney with no job, no knowledge of the English language but with a million dreams and wishes for a new beginning.  His eagerness, however, for a better tomorrow prompted...

Read more

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Address

Building 36

142 Addison Rd

Marrickville NSW 2204

info@hellenicarttheatre.com.au

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