Lefteris Giovanidis (Greek: Λευτέρης Γιοβανίδης) is a theatre director, performing arts manager and translator from Greece. From 2020 until 2023 he was the artistic director of Piraeus Municipal Theatre. He was also the artistic director of the Municipal and Regional Theatre of Kozani.
Biography He studied at the Drama School of Athens supervised by director Giorgos Theodosiadis and graduated in 1995. After his graduation he worked for two years as an actor in Athens and in 1997 moved to New York, USA in order to study stage directing at Michael Howard Studios and Herbert Bergohof Studio. He also attended courses at Actors Studio New York City. During his stay in USA he worked as assistant director and then as director. He returned to Greece in 2000.
In New York 1998, he founded his own company, Seventh Theatre, and produced Sheppard’s True West and Marivaux's A matter of dispute. In 2003, he set up in Athens a not-for-profit company that has produced more than 14 performances.
Giovanidis has directed 46 plays, has translated 14 plays to Greek and made 6 adaptations of books for theatre. He has instructed drama and improvisation-classes at the Drama School of National Theatre of Northern Greece. He has co-operated with theatres and institutions like the National Theatre of Greece, National Theatre of Northern Greece, (Gradsko kazalište Marina Držića), Patras Municipal and Regional Theatre, Foundation of the Hellenic World, Michael Cacoyannis Foundation, Athens Festival, State Theatre of Turkey, etc.
He directed the medal ceremonies of the Athens Olympics 2004 and 2004 Summer Paralympics and the opening ceremony for the 2007 World Rhythmic Gymnastics Championships in Patras.
Theatre YearTitleTheatre2024Romeo and Juliet, William ShakespeareState Theatre of Turkey and Megaron, The Athens Concert Hall2023The Elephant, Kostas BostantzoglouMunicipal Theatre of Piraeus2022Merry Wives, William ShakespeareMunicipal Theatre of Piraeus2022Enoch Arden, Alferd TennyssonMMA2021Loukis Laras, Dimitrios VikelasMunicipal Theatre of Piraeus2021La bella Greca, Theodora Kapralou2019The Rose Tattoo, Tennessee WilliamsRegional Theatre of Greece2019The backgammon, Dimitris KechaidisRegional Theatre of Greece2018Romeo and Juliet, William ShakespeareNational Theatre of Croatia, Regional Theatre of Greece2018Manos EleutheriouRegional Theatre of Greece2017-18Schumann, Sophia KapsourouNational Theatre of Greece2017The Greek Christmas Carols, Y. MarkopoulosMegaron, The Athens Concert Hall2017Fools, Neil SimonAgios Dimitrios Theatre2017The Statue That felt Cold, Christos BoulotisBenaki Museum2017L'Origine du monde, Sébastien ThiéryHellenic World2017Of love..., Konstantina VarsamiGazarte stage2016Emil and the Detectives, Erich KästnerHellenic World2016Moonlight Sonata, Yiannis RitsosFestival of Mantinia2016Escuela, Guillermo CalderónTheatre Thission2015Antigone, SophoclesKDEPPAM, Mykonos2014The selfish giant and his love, Constantina VarsamiTexnopolis, Gazi 2014Fishsoup, George LebesisAcropol Theatre 2014Medea, Jan Rene LemoineMichalis Cacogiannis Foundation, Athens2014Janis Joplin-ROOM 105, Gigi GastonAggelon Vima Theatre2013Heidi, Johanna SpyriPiraeus 131 Theatre2013 Dreaming stories, Elisavet GeorgiadiTexnopolis, Gazi2013Interview, Alexis StamotisSouthbank Centre, London, UK2013Educating Rita, Willy RusellTheatre Alma, Athens2012Atomic Alert, Fred. SonntagMichalis Cacogiannis Foundation, Athens2012Bastion, Luko PaljetakKazaliste Marina Drzica, Dubrovnik, Croatia2012Reunion, David MametApollon Theatre, Patras2011Love to death, Aldo NikolaiMikro Theater, Larissa2011Heidi, Johanna SpyriApollon Theatre, Patras2009 Sonnets, William ShakespeareTheatre 104 Kastaniotis, Athens2008Hetaerae Dialogues, LoukianosNational Theatre of Northern Greece2008The Age of Chrysanthemums, Manos EleftheriouAthinaida Theatre2008Richard III, W. ShakespeareLa Fenice Theatre, Venice, U.T. of Europe2007Why Madonna and not me, Mixalis Kokkoris, National Theatre of Northern Greece2006The magic flute, Wolfgang MozartApollon Theatre, Patras2005Melocoton en almibar, Migel MihuraRoes Theatre, Athens2004The Master Builder, Henrik IbsenModern Theatre of Athens2004Wheelchair dancer, Sara FroeberAmerican – Hellenic Center of Arts2003A song of a night gale, Charlot Chandler Metaxourgio Theatre, Athens2002Who discovered America?, Chrysa SpiliotisArgo Theatre, Athens2001Los figurantes, José Sanchis SinisterraInstitute Thervantes, Athens1999True West, Sam ShepardCenter Stage Theatre, New York1999A matter of dispute, MarivauxKraine Theatre, New York
Selected translations “Enoch Arden”, Alfred Tennysson, (Megaron-The Athens Concert Hall-2022) “The Rose Tattoo”, Tennessee Williams (Regional theater of Northern Greece-2019) “Reunion”, David Mamet, (Apollon Theatre, Patras - 2012) “Heidi”, Johanna Spyri, (Apollon Theatre, Patras - 2011) “The smell of the kill”, Michelle Lowe, (Diana Theatre, Athens - 2010) The Magic Flute, Wolfgang Mozart, (Apollon Theatre, Patras - 2006) “Black bird”, David Harrower, (Aplo Theatre, Athens - 2006) “Trip to Bountiful”, Horton Foot, Vasilakou Theatre, Athens - 2005) “Melocoton en almibar”, Migel Mihura, Roes Theatre, Athens - 2005) “The Master Builder”, H. Ibsen, Modern Theatre, Athens - 2004) “Wheelchair dancer”, Sara Froeber, American– & Hellenic Center of Arts - 2004) “Play on”, Rick Abbot, Argo Theatre, Athens - 2003) “The whales of August”, David Berry, National Theatre of Greece - 2002) “Happy days”, Samuel Becket, (Rialto Theatre, Athens - 1997).
References