Dr Efi Spentzou (Classics) and Dr David Bullen (Drama) of the Myth and Voice project had a thoroughly enjoyable development and reflective practice day with a small and very energised group of PhD students from Royal Holloway, Roehampton, Loughborough, and Brighton Universities on the 5th of June 2023.

The Myth of Io - Bartolomeo di Giovanni (ca. 1490) (Creative Commons License)

During the course of the day we co-created as a group draft resources for a community storytelling workshop based on the Greek myth of Io and her experience of abuse, forced mobility, homelessness, and toxic masculinity as an apt case study for engaging with sensitive topics and difficult conversations through role play. 

It was deeply fulfilling to have the chance to support these creative young minds as they engaged with the experience with real curiosity and an attitude open and welcoming to change and renewal. The drafting of the Io resource triggered thoughtful discussions about care aesthetics and dance in the community, audience involvement in place making events, communicating the fraud issues around gendered violence and many more. 

If you are involved in action/community-based research engaging with grassroots organisations, aspiring to reach out to underrepresented/marginalised communities, intrigued about immersive storytelling, critical facilitation, the place of cocreation and role play in community-building workshops, Myth and Voice would very much like to hear from you! With many thanks to the Techne Partnership for supporting and funding the event.