AS I AM
”AS I AM” is an its original Educational Theatre Program initiated by SMouTh in September 2025 under the auspices of the Greek Ministry of Culture. The program gives to students aged 13-18 the opportunity to join a unique experiential and artistic experience of self-awareness and empathy.
The program “As I Am” is an experiential workshop that uses the performing and visual arts (theatre, movement, photography) to address issues related to:
- Body image
- Social stereotypes about appearance
- Discrimination and body shaming
- The influence of social media
- The need to accept diversity and ourselves
- A critical stance towards phenomena of non-acceptance and exclusion
Through experiential workshops, teens are encouraged to work creatively and collaboratively and reflect on social stereotypes and beliefs about the body and their physical appearance in a safe and accepting environment.
– How do we talk to teenagers about body image without lecturing them?
– What does it mean to see yourself as you are and accept yourself?
– How do young people feel about their bodies and their appearance at an age when their bodies are constantly changing?
– How much do social media influence beauty standards?
– Can the performing arts create an environment of acceptance, reflection, and introspection?
Goals & Benefits
- Develop a positive relationship with our body image
- Cultivate empathy and acceptance of diversity
- Build critical attitude towards media standards
- Create resistance to body-shaming and discrimination
- Create a participatory artistic result
Results
The experiences at the workshop will be presented to the public in January 2026 through artistic works taking place in a single event aiming to address the concerns of teenagers and strengthen the social dialogue on the subject. Also an educational material will be created and distributed free of charge to all educators which will include simple educational tools that facilitate discussion and reflection within the teenage groups.
TARGET GROUP
The program is addressed to teenagers from the city of Larissa and neighbouring areas aged 13-18, with or without disabilities and from various cultural backgrounds.
Number of students per session: 30 to 40 students per group. Teachers who work with teenagers and wish to address the phenomenon of body-shaming inside and outside the classroom are welcome to participate in the program.
TIMELINE
Program duration: 13 October – 19 December 2025
Workshop duration: 2 hours
Time: 9:00-11:00 a.m. (time can be adjusted upon request)
Days: Weekdays (Monday to Friday)
How can I participate?
Ask your school teacher to contact SYNERGEIO, culture space at 2411 812 431 and make a booking for your class!
Participation fee: €4/person
WORKING GROUP
Project coordination: Despoina Bounitsi
Program design: Despoina Bounitsi – Theatre scholar, Choreographer, Dance teacher
Katerina Bekou: Theatre educator – Actor
Giannis Chatziantoniou: Photographer, Photography instructor
Filippos Zoukas: Musician, Composer
Scientific supervision: Lydia Pantziou Psychologist
Research support: Dimitra Zacharouli, Theatre scholar, Researcher, PhD candidate
Communication: Chrysanthi Manidou, Communicator
Technical support: Filippos Zoukas
Sound support: Periklis Chastalis, Lighting
Venue: SYNERGEIO culture space, Oik. Ex. Oikonomon 22, Larissa www.synergeio.eu
Implementing body: SYNERGY OF MYSIC THEATRE (SMOUTH)
”As I AM” programme is implemented under the auspices and with the financial support of the Greek Ministry of Culture
