Monday 7/28 – Day 1

Evening: Arrive in Ioannina Greece at the IOA Airport at 9:25pm. Get picked up by private coach and drive 1.5 hours to Mikro Papingo, a village in the Zagorohoria region of northern Greece nestled in the Pindos Mountain Range and named a UNESCO monument as part of the Geoparks Global Network. Papingo is at the heart of one of the largest and most important National Parks of Europe.

Check in, late dinner, and rest!

Tuesday 7/29 – Day 2

Breakfast: Served in a quaint bed-and-breakfast courtyard at Dias Guesthouse.

Morning: An introduction to OYL’s work by Artistic Director Ianthe Demos and the company’s journey through India, Japan, and Greece in 2025 towards staging Lisa Sanaye Dring’s Arms. A lecture by distinguished performer, director, and company member Leon Ingulsrud about the history of theater and its relationship to OYL’s work.

Lunch: Served in the courtyard buffet style with OYL’s company at Dias Guesthouse.

Afternoon: Walk to Megalo Papingo with a stop at the natural swimming pools between villages for a cool dip in the Papingo Rock Pools.

Join playwright Lisa Sanaye Dring for a conversation about Arms the work OYL is producing in Greece in August 2025. Partake in a 60-minute Greek session with OYL artist Meropi Papastergiou, introducing you to some basic Greek phrases for your time in Papingo.

Evening: Sit in on a 90-minute rehearsal with the company and observe the work.

Dinner: Join members of the company for dinner at the incomparable Astra Inn where local ingredients dominate the menu and view of the Pindos Mountain range are abundant.

Wednesday 7/30 – Day 3

Breakfast: Served at Dias Guesthouse.

Morning: Join OYL Movement Director Natalie Lomonte for a movement workshop crafted especially for you. The session will begin with meditation and yoga before moving into exploring movement. Natalie’s extensive expertise in meditation, dance, and movement will guide this session taking care of every individual while introducing you to her work. You will be sure to leave this morning session feeling inspired and restored.

Join local resident, Iro, in a pie-making session where she, with the assistance of a company interpreter, guides you through traditional spinach and cheese pie making.

Lunch: Served in the courtyard buffet style with OYL’s company at Dias Guesthouse.

Afternoon: Enjoy a peaceful walk to Megalo Papingo and join our friends at White Pegasus for a surreal horseback ride through the stunning scenery. If horses are not your cup of tea, enjoy an evening drink in the stunning grounds of Kalliopi’s Guesthouse.

Meet back up at Kalliopi for a 90-minute lecture by OYL artist Rai Desypri on the region and the relationship of OYL’s work to the history and landscape of the Zagorohoria.

Dinner: Be joined by members of the company for a communal dinner at Kalliopi’s restaurant.

Thursday 7/31 – Day 4

Breakfast: Wake before the break of day and be delivered fruit, bars, boiled eggs, and more breakfast snacks before any establishment in the village has opened.

Morning: As the sun rises hike up the impressive Pindos mountain range with an expert guide from the region arriving at the incomparable Astraka Mountain Refuge in time for a rest. After a snack ,those that are feeling in need of further adventure can join our guide for a hike to the infamous Drakolimni.

Lunch: Enjoy the views at the Astraka Mountain Refuge during a rustic lunch at the refuge.

Afternoon: After hiking back down, enjoy refreshments on Ianthe’s porch while enjoying another magnificent sunset.

Dinner: Dinner served at the high-end 1700 Mikro Papingo.

Friday 8/1 – Day 5

Breakfast: Served at Dias Guesthouse.

Morning: Relax with some peaceful rafting on the Voidomatis River with our friends at Papingo Adrenaline. Learn more about one of the cleanest and coldest rivers in Europe. The Voidomatis has been part of the  Vikos–Aoös National Park since 1973. The river is spanned by a number of stone bridges.

Lunch: Local vegetables and trout served for lunch at Astra before heading up for a break in Mikro Papingo.

Afternoon: An unforgettable workshop on the chorus in Greek texts by OYL’s expert Georgia Tsangaraki. Georgia has performed and directed throughout Greece, working as the head of the chorus for the National Theater of Greece before going on to create her own approach, The Spiral Effect, which she will be sharing with you. Meropi Papastergiou will work in tandem with you and Georgia ensuring that you are speaking some Greek text as well by the end of the workshop!

Dinner: Served in the courtyard buffet style with OYL’s company at Dias Guesthouse.

Saturday 8/2 – Day 6

Breakfast: Served at Dias Guesthouse.

Morning: Join OYL’s musical guru, Rinde Eckert, for an extraordinary workshop on music in theater. Japanese musician Ren O’Hara will work with you as well, bringing a fusion of cultures and ideas into the space and inviting you to expand your listening. Afterwards, join our guest artist, Kirtana Kumar, who is joining the company from Bengaluru, India, to hear about her experience as a performer and theater-maker both at home and throughout her journey with OYL.

Lunch: Served in the courtyard buffet style with OYL’s company at Dias Guesthouse.

Afternoon: Join Ianthe and the company for a discussion about the show, the upcoming performances, and a Q&A. Following, sit in on rehearsal!

Dinner: Served at Nikos and Julia’s in Megalo Papingo buffet style with OYL Company members.

Sunday 8/3 – Day 7

Day off to explore, go swimming, go for walks!

Dinner: Join us at Ianthe’s for a meal cooked by company members.

Monday 8/4 – Day 8

Breakfast: Served at Dias Guesthouse.

Morning: Hike to Vikos on the well-traveled trekking path that takes you to the source of the river Voidomatis. The 2.5 hour hike takes you through stunning scenery while joining the company as we trek to the location for our very first performance! Take a quick swim at the river source before heading up to Vikos Village where we will spend the rest of the day. If unable to make the walk OYL will have drivers at the ready to transport you to Vikos for the day.

Lunch: Served buffet style in one of the restaurants at Vikos.

Afternoon: Watch rehearsals or wander through the sleepy village of Vikos and relax before the performance. Enjoy Performance # 1!

Dinner: Pies and sandwiches served in the bus as we travel back to Papingo for some well deserved rest!

Tuesday 8/5 – Day 9

Breakfast: Served at Dias Guesthouse.

Morning: Late start to account for late night prior. Join the OYL company for a debrief of the performance the night prior and a conversation about the upcoming venues.

Lunch: Served in the courtyard buffet style with OYL’s company at Dias Guesthouse.

Afternoon: Depart with the company for Agios Minas, the location of performance # 2. Stop at the village of Aristi for a conversation with OYL artists before Performance # 2 at Agios Minas.

Dinner: Pies, pizza, souvlaki, and refreshments in the village square following the performance.

Wednesday 8/6 – Day 10

Breakfast: Served at Dias Guesthouse.

Morning: Greek language in performance workshop with Meropi Papastergiou, Rai Desypri, and Georgia Tsangaraki. An exploration of translation in performance and the impact on the performer.

Lunch: Served in the courtyard buffet style with OYL’s company at Dias Guesthouse.

Afternoon: Woodworking workshop in Megalo Papingo, and time to walk around on our last evening in Papingo to visit your favorite places one more time. Then, Performance # 3 in the Megalo Papingo square!

Dinner: Buffet style served in village square.

Thursday 8/7 – Day 11

Breakfast: Served at Dias Guesthouse.

Morning: Check out and depart to Ioannina by company bus.

Lunch: Sandwiches and beverages served in hotel lobby.

Afternoon: A guided tour of the archaeological site of Ancient Dodoni followed by a walk through the old castle of Ioannina and the Byzantine museum.

Dinner: Enjoy a relaxing dinner on the lake of Ioannina before heading back to the hotel.

Friday 8/8 – Day 12

Breakfast: Lobby of hotel.

Morning: Guided tour of the Archaeological Museum of Ioannina in the center of city followed by time to explore the old city and Ioannina’s bustling scene.

Lunch: On your own in the city as you wish!

Afternoon: Conversation with playwright and dramaturgs regarding Arms before walk to Performance # 4 at Theater E.H.M. Frontzou!

Dinner: Pies and souvlaki at the venue after the show with the company.

Saturday 8/9 – Day 13

Breakfast: Lobby of hotel.

Morning: Travel by bus to Corinth with company. Arrive at Siagas Beach Hotel and check in. Enjoy a dip in the Aegean or in the hotel’s outdoor pool.

Lunch: Buffet lunch at the Siagas Beach Hotel.

Afternoon: Drive to the Archaeological site of Ancient Corinth, and enjoy a guided tour of the museum and sites while the company prepares that evening’s performance.

Watch Performance # 5!

Dinner: Join the company for a late night take-out dinner on the balcony of the hotel overlooking the Aegean as we unwind from the evening’s performance.

Sunday 8/10 – Day 14

Breakfast: Lobby of hotel.

Morning: Travel to Delphi.

Lunch: Lunch on-the-go during the trip up to Delphi.

Evening: Check in to the hotel, then go on a tour of the archeological site of Delphi.

Dinner: Enjoy the cuisines at one of the local tavernas in the town of Delphi.

Monday 8/11 - Day 15

Breakfast: Lobby of hotel.

Morning: Take this time to rest and explore the charming shops and amazing views of the town of Delphi.

Lunch: As you wish in Delphi.

Afternoon: Continue your exploration of Delphi, or join the company during its final staging rehearsal.

Evening: Performance #6.

Dinner: Pies and souvlaki after the show with the company.

Tuesday 8/12 – Day 16

6am: Bus departs for the approximately two hour drive to Athens International Airport.

The fee covers the entirety of your two week stay in mainland Greece, excluding arrival and departure flights. This includes rustic bed-and-breakfast style housing, communal meals, nature excursions, cultural immersion activities, site tours, and workshops with OYL company members.

You may upgrade to a single room for $6,000, rather than the $5,000 for a double.

The fee must be paid in full by July 1, 2025.

If you have additional questions or concerns about the OYL Philos Retreat, reach out to Ianthe Demos at ianthe@oneyearlease.org or 646-247-6226.

In Greek, the word “philos” means “friend”. That’s why, when we were deciding what to name this programming, we chose the name “OYL Philos Retreat.” By joining us on this journey, you are becoming part of the larger OYL community, a friend of OYL!

You can read more about our history as a company here.