Thespis

The name Thespo has been derived from a 6th century BC Greek poet named “Thespis”. He is considered the father of modern drama. Thespis is said to have introduced a new style in which one singer or actor performed the words of individual characters in the stories, distinguishing between the characters with the aid of different masks, thus pioneering the art of spoken dialogue over simple chorus and verse. He is also the first recorded winner of a prize for tragedy in 534 BC at the Great Dionysia.

Thespis is the first known actor in written plays. He may thus have had a substantial role in changing the way stories were said and inventing theatre as we know it today. His followers have since been called Thespians, and we found it appropriate to name out festival after a man who has contributed such a great deal to theatre.