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Nina Papathanasopoulou Research

Nina’s research interests revolve around Greek drama, mythology, and its reception. She places much value in the diverse pedagogical approaches to interpreting myth and is interested in the intersection between myth and religion and in myth as a tool to explore both ancient and contemporary issues.

Her dissertation and early research focused on Aristophanes’ treatment of space and use of myth, where she examined performative aspects in Aristophanes’ Acharnians, Knights, and Wasps. Her current research explores the role of Greek myth and tragedy in the work of the revolutionary 20th century dancer and choreographer, Martha Graham. She has published on Aristophanes and on Graham’s reimagining of the myths of Medea and Ariadne. Her latest article centers on Night Journey, Graham’s retelling of the myth of Oedipus and Jocasta, and was published in the Classical Receptions Journal by Oxford University Press by January 2023. She is currently working on a book project tentatively titled Martha Graham and Greek Myth: The Ancient World in Modern Dance. Nina’s book, under consideration by University of Michigan Press, explores Martha Graham’s Greek-inspired dances in comparison to the ancient literary texts, vase paintings, sculptures and other ancient material that served as her inspiration.
Nina is especially excited to be working on modern retellings of ancient plays and myths and has written reviews of contemporary translations and productions of Greek tragedy. In addition, Nina is a captivating speaker and has presented her research at a number of conferences and public venues in Greece, the US, the UK, Portugal, France and Italy.

Nina’s Academia.edu Profile 

Academic Publications

“State of Play: Dance.” American Journal of Philology (forthcoming Spring 2027).

“Χορεύοντας τους Αρχαίους Ελληνικούς Μύθους: Δίκη και Λύτρωση στην Clytemnestra της Μάρθα Γκράχαμ” (forthcoming in the Proceedings of the Conference “Dance, Ancient Drama and Myth”, University of Athens, 2026).

“Myth and Theater: Greek Tragedy’s Engagement with Greek Myth” (forthcoming, Museum of Cycladic Art, 2026).

“Martha Graham’s Medea: Sexual Jealousy and the Limits of Human Nature” (original in Greek «Η Μήδεια της Μάρθα Γκράχαμ: Σεξουαλική Ζήλια και τα Όρια της Ανθρώπινης Φύσης»), Parabasis 20.1, 2025, pp. 334-62.

“The Politics of Violence in Aeschylus’ Agamemnon, Euripides’ Iphigeneia at Aulis and Martha Graham’s Clytemnestra” (original in Greek: «Πολιτικές βίας στον Αγαμέμνονα του Αισχύλου, την Ιφιγένεια εν Αυλίδι του Ευριπίδη και την Clytemnestra της Μάρθα Γκράχαμ»), in Politics of Life and Politics of Violence in Ancient Theater: from the fifth century BCE to the twenty first, eds. A. Markantonatos and K. Diamantakou, Hellenic Foundation of Culture, 2024, pp. 605-627.

“Jocasta’s Last Hours: Identity, Responsibility, and Violence in Martha Graham’s Night Journey”, Classical Receptions Journal 15.1 (2023): 57-84, Oxford University Press.

Review. Michael Ewans’ Medea. Translation and Theatrical Commentary. Routledge. The Classical Review, 1-3. Cambridge. 2022. doi:10.1017/S0009840X22002025

Review. “Poreia Theatre’s Prometheus Bound”, Didaskalia: The Journal for Ancient Performance 16.05, 2022.

“Serpent Heart: Animality, Jealousy, and Transgression in Martha Graham’s Medea”, International Journal of the Classical Tradition 28.2, 2021, pp.159-82, 10.1007/s12138-019-00541-3.

“Strong Household, Strong City: Exploring Space in Aristophanes’ Acharnians” in Aristophanes and Politics, eds. Foley, H. and Rosen, R., Brill, April 2020, pp. 163-86.

“Martha Graham’s Greeks”, Didaskalia: The Journal for Ancient Performance 15.15, 2019.

“Tragic and Epic Visions of the Oikos in Aristophanes’ Wasps”, Classical World 112.4, 2019, pp. 253-78.

“Space in Aristophanes: Portraying the Civic and Domestic Worlds in Acharnians, Knights, and Wasps”. UMI Dissertation Publishing. Columbia University, 2013.

TALKS

April 21, 2026

“Martha Graham’s Revolutionary Approach to Greek Myth”, Pyrna Cultural Center / Municipality of Kifisia

January 9, 2026

Introductory Remarks, Odyssea by We Players, SCS 2026 Annual Meeting, San Francisco.

December 4, 2025

“When Myths Dance: Martha Graham’s Contribution to the Preservation of Ancient Greek Culture”, Hellenic Open University, Greece.

November 21, 2025

“Martha Graham’s Engagement with Greek Myth: A Dancer’s Approach to the Ancient World”, Keynote lecture, Malta Classics Association 2025 Annual Meeting.

November 14, 2025

“Telling Emotion in Martha Graham’s Greek-themed Dances and Errand into the Maze”, Telling Bodies: A Conference on Corporeal Classical Reception, University of Edinburgh.

October 22, 2025

“Myth, Psychoanalysis, Philosophy, and Art: Finding Balance in Martha Graham’s Greek-Inspired Dances”, in the Series of Seminars “Dionysian Intercultural & Therapeutic Survivals – INTER.CUL.THER.”, Technochorologica Laboratory Philosophy & Art Athens University, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, March 21- November 30, 2025.

May 14, 2025

“The Apollonian and Dionysian Elements in Ancient Greek Religion: the god Dionysus and his Worship”, Cultural Center “Pyrna”.

May 7, 2025

“The Apollonian and Dionysian Elements in Ancient Greek Religion: The Ritual of Sacrifice and the god Apollo”, Cultural Center “Pyrna”.

January 20, 2025

“Dancing Ancient Greek Myth: Justice and Redemption in Martha Graham’s Clytemnestra”, at the conference “Dance, Ancient Drama & Myth” of the Department of Theatre Studies at the University of Athens.

January 4, 2025

“Tracing the Ancient Literary and Visual Sources in Martha Graham’s Greek-themed Dances”, SCS 2025 Annual Meeting, Philadelphia.

October 9, 2024

“Myth and Theater: Greek Tragedy’s Engagement with Greek Myth”, Smithsonian Journeys, Nafplio, Greece.

October 7, 2024

“Religion, Sacrifice, and the Worship of Apollo in Ancient Greece”, Smithsonian Journeys, Delos, Greece.

October 4, 2024

“Martha Graham and Greek Myth: A Dancer’s Approach to the Stories and Heroes of the Ancient Greeks”, Smithsonian Journeys, Patmos, Greece.

July 16, 2024

“Martha Graham and Greek Myth PART 2: Clytemnestra”, Graham for Europe Summer 2024 Intensive, Teatro del Parco, Venice, Italy.

April 19, 2024

“Female Empowerment and Redemption in Martha Graham’s Clytemnestra“, Columbia University/Barnard College, New York.

January 5, 2024

“Justice, Honor, and Gender Dynamics in Martha Graham’s Clytemnestra”, SCS 2024 Annual Meeting, Chicago.

January 5, 2024

“Classics in the Community: Ancient Worlds, Modern Communities Initiative”, panel organizer & moderator, SCS 2024 Annual Meeting, Chicago.

November 3, 2023

«Πολιτικές βίας στον Αγαμέμνονα του Αισχύλου, την Ιφιγένεια εν Αυλίδι του Ευριπίδη και την Clytemnestra της Μάρθα Γκράχαμ», at the conference “Politics of Violence and Politics of Life in Ancient Theater: from the 5th century BCE to the 21st”, University of Athens, November 1-3, 2023.

July 21, 2023

“Martha Graham and Greek Myth: Violence and Revenge through the Dancing Body”, Graham for Europe Summer 2023 Intensive, Mairie de Paris Centre, Paris, France.

May 10, 17, 24, 2023

«Η Γυναίκα στον Αρχαίο Ελληνικό Μύθο και στη σκέψη της Μάρθα Γκράχαμ», a second series of 3 lectures on Graham’s take on Clytemnestra, Electra, and Ariadne at the Cultural Center “Pyrna”.

April 23, 2023

“Myth and Theater: Greek Tragedy’s Engagement with Greek Myth”, Smithsonian Journeys, Liberty Hotel of Nafplio.

January 28, 2023

Live Commentary on a company rehearsal of “Martha Graham’s Circe” together with Martha Graham Archive Director, Joyce Herring, during the Martha Graham Matinee series.

January 11, 18, 25, 2023

«Η Γυναίκα στον Αρχαίο Ελληνικό Μύθο και στη σκέψη της Μάρθα Γκράχαμ», a series of 3 lectures on Graham’s take on Medea, Jocasta and Iphigeneia at the Cultural Center “Pyrna”.

January 8, 2023

“Studying Abroad in Greece / Reflections on Pedagogical Methods: Connecting the Ancient to the Modern”, College Year in Athens (CYA) workshop, SCS 2023 Annual Meeting, New Orleans.

January 7, 2023

“Jocasta’s Last Hours: Identity, Responsibility, and Violence in Martha Graham’s Night Journey”, SCS 2023 Annual Meeting, New Orleans.

January 6, 2023

“Ancient Worlds, Modern Communities Workshop”, panel organizer & moderator, SCS 2023 Annual Meeting, New Orleans.

November 13, 2022

“Martha Graham Interprets Greek Myths: Violence and Revenge through the Dancing Body”, Hellenic American University, 1st Terra In Cognita International Conference, Athens, Greece.

September 9, 10, 2022

“Poseidon, Myth, and Fertility in Ancient Greece”, POSEIDON World Conference: The Low-Prognosis Patient In ART, Med.e.a Academy, Lisbon, Portugal.

June 24, 2022

“Jocasta’s Last Hours: Identity, Responsibility, and Violence in Martha Graham’s Night Journey” – Conference on “Ancient Greek Dance in Teaching” – Ure Museum, University of Reading, UK.

January 8, 2022

“Learning from the Ancient Worlds, Modern Communities Initiative”, SCS 2022 Annual Meeting – Virtual (panel organizer and introducer).