How could we include the creative process in schools? Can we inspire students to become more creative or even create a sparkle for a job in the CCS (Cultural and Creative Sectors)? In the context of the Creative FLIP Learning Labs program, the 3rd Junior High School of Peristeri in Athens put together a play with the help of THEAMA, the first professional all-inclusive theatre in Greece. As part of the initiative, students explore creative and transversal skills through a co-creation project, while also discussing and learning about related topics such as the importance of protecting and respecting intellectual property and creations.

On the morning of Friday, 2 December 2022 members of Creative FLIP team arrived at the school to watch the theatrical performance and chat with the participating students and teachers. Students from different school years took a break from class to watch their schoolmates’ performance and couldn’t hide their excitement. The students prepared the play for three months, starting in October and their school offered two hours every week to rehearse. The project was facilitated by the school’s maths teacher Katerina Thanopoulou and the team of Vassilis Oikonomou, founder and artistic director of THEAMA. The two of them together with THEAMA’s team explained to the students all professions involved in creating a play and helped them pick the role that suits them best. Each student took the responsibility for one or multiple roles and with the help of THEAMA’S team they learned how to become a creative professional. Then the students proposed different topics for the play and voted for the final result. The topic was hard to choose, but they decided to focus on an important historically event, the Holocaust.

Everyone was in their position. The students were responsible for organising every part of “The Diary”, the name of the play, including sound, lights, screenplay, direction and acting. The lights were ready, the photographer was taking pictures of the event and the actors were waiting to appear on stage. Part of the performance was also a sign language interpreter from THEAMA's team.

The script written by the students was narrating a story about a Polish family facing the military invasion and deportation to Auschwitz. The family is enjoying their everyday lunch when suddenly their life changes forever. The soldiers proceed, arresting the family and separating the couple and their two children who must fear they might never meet again. Judith, the little girl of the family, writes in her diary everything happening in her country, Poland. Eighty years later, a young girl from Germany finds Judith's diary and hands it back to her. In 2022 Judith will read the diary again marking the end of the story.

The students tried to bring to life the feelings of those people, while also sharing historical information with the audience. The music and the lights were complementing the atmosphere of the play and everyone appeared dedicated to their role.

After the play we got the chance to have an interview with the students, Katerina Thanopoulou and Vassili Oikonomou, to get more insights. They explained the whole process, from choosing the topic of the play, to the role contribution and time schedule they had. Finally when we asked if they would do it again, the excitement was major and all of them loudly responded with joy! The students explained how the project boosted their confidence and they became more comfortable with public speaking, expressing themselves and their creative ideas.

Creative FLIP team is proud to watch young people become inspired and take initiatives. We are looking forward to the upcoming final events as part of the 15 Learning Labs, taking different shapes and voices in schools around Europe.