Areté originates in ancient Greece and has many interpretations. It is generally understood to mean striving for excellence, being the best that you can be and is also wound up in the notion of moral virtue. For Dionysus Theatre, Areté is a festival of short plays, performance works and visual arts; manifesting unique thought through innovative performance and visual arts.

Dionysus Theatre selects a theme for each production that sparks artists to reflect on our society and its morals.

Beginning in 2014, Areté was created by Dionysus Theatre’s Company Director, Emma Sproule, in response to those inspiring playwrights and artists who found it challenging to find a place to present their works. Areté provides a safe and professional platform for artists of all theatrical natures to hone their craft, providing support for excellence and an audience for feedback. After each season, Areté is carefully reflected upon and sharpened for best practice with and for our artists.

Writers and Artists of any medium can submit their short scripts or visual works for consideration. Anyone is welcome to submit. Writers can be published, previously performed or virgin wielders of the theatrical pen. Submissions are invited from interested visual artists who wish to respond to the theme in their own mediums with work to be exhibited at and/or used within the performance itself. Local artists are welcomed. Experienced or emerging directors are always encouraged to apply