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About Us
INTRODUCTION TO PERIAKTOS PRODUCTIONS
Periaktos Productions, L.L.C. was formed in 1994 with the mission of helping lawyers to become better lawyers by providing unique and innovative CLE and public education programs about ethics, professionalism and social justice, using professional theatre productions as a teaching tool. Our name is derived from "periaktoid," which is a three-sided scenic unit used in the ancient Greek theatre. This image was chosen to suggest our three primary goals.First and foremost, our goal is to entertain, which means, in the literal sense, "to hold between." We want to engage and hold our audiences! Only with engagement can a "classroom" activity move from a passive experience to one in which true learning occurs. Secondly, we strive to educate our audiences, which in the classical sense means "to draw out." We want to evoke ideas and responses to the issues and situations we present and facilitate dialogue about them .not instruct or indoctrinate audiences with our own opinions. Lastly, we hope to enlighten our audiences, which means to "reveal truths." In the broader sense this means helping attendees to acquire new wisdom and/or understanding of situations to help them see options more clearly. We see all three of these goals working dynamically together to bring vital, exciting and engaging performance events to the world of Continuing Legal Education.
Playwright Sidney Michaels wrote, "In the dark of the theatre we remember ourselves." Things are not always what they seem and the theatre is a wonderful way to lend a bit of insight and look at what's below the surface. In the end we provide programs for lawyers to learn about themselves and explore their own ethical foundations by looking at the lives of others.
PERIAKTOS PRODUCTIONS "CLE THEATRE" PROGRAMS
There are five programs in our current CLE Theatre "repertoire:"- Clarence Darrow; Crimes, Causes and the Courtroom
- Maxims, Monarchy and Sir Thomas More
- Impeach Justice Douglas!
- Thurgood Marshall's Coming!
- The Women Lawyers Club
All of the presentations are staged theatrical productions that are recognized, not only for their educational content, but also as exceptional entertainment. Over the past thirteen years, Periaktos Productions has had a significant impact on the landscape of Continuing Legal Education and, at the same time, maintained its impeccable theatrical reputation. From the company's inception, the mission has been, first and foremost, to create theatrically viable and engaging works which simultaneously contain profound educational components. Universally, the productions are met with accolades such as "spellbinding" and "powerful." The American Bar Association selected Thurgood Marshall's Coming!, produced by Periaktos Productions, to receive an Honorable Mention Award in Theater for the 2005 Silver Gavel Awards Competition for Media and the Arts. (Thurgood Marshall's Coming! Silver Gavel Award PDF)
We have presented live programs to more than 130 satisfied client organizations around the country, most of whom have presented ALL of our programs at one time or another. We have established credibility and are a known commodity in the CLE marketplace. Our programs remain unique and unduplicated anywhere in the CLE industry.
Graham Thatcher
Graham Thatcher is the Artistic Director and primary performer for Periaktos Productions. Since appearing in his first acting role at five years of age, Graham has performed in or directed over 150 community, university and professional theatre productions. He is the co-author and solo performer in Clarence Darrow: Crimes, Causes and the Courtroom, Maxims, Monarchy and Sir Thomas More and Impeach Justice Douglas! toured by Periaktos Productions. He is the co-author and director of Thurgood Marshall's Coming!, and The Women Lawyers Club. Graham has authored several other theatrical plays, including commissioned works and The Mask of the Jaguar, about the cultural clash between the Maya and Europeans during the Spanish Conquest.Over the past thirty-five years Graham has engaged students of all ages in university classrooms, business board rooms and convention meeting spaces. He serves as a communications consultant to businesses and individuals and is the co-creator and presenter of Periaktos Productions' CLE programs, "Word of Mouth: A Workshop in the Art and Ethics of Oral Communication for Lawyers." He holds a B.A. from San Francisco State University, an M.A. in Theatre from the University of South Dakota and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Minnesota. He has been listed in Who's Who in American Education and Outstanding American Educators, and is a recipient of the Governor's Award from the Minnesota Council on Quality.
Anna Marie Thatcher
Anna Marie Thatcher is the Managing Producer for Periaktos Productions and occasionally appears on stage. She is an attorney and has worked for thirty-five years with artists and visual and performing arts organizations as an arts consultant, producer and director. She is the co-author and producer for all Periaktos programs and is also the director of Clarence Darrow: Crimes, Causes and the Courtroom, Maxims, Monarchy and Sir Thomas More and Impeach Justice Douglas!Anna Marie is a licensed member of the Minnesota Bar, and continues to work with artists and nonprofit arts organizations. She holds a B.A. from Dakota Wesleyan University (Mitchell, SD), an MA in Theatre from the University of South Dakota, and a J.D. from Hamline University School of Law (St. Paul, Minnesota). She is a member of the American Bar Association, the Minnesota Bar Association and ACLEA (Association of Continuing Legal Education) and is listed in Who's Who in American Law. Anna Marie also serves as volunteer for the First People's Fund, which provides support for Native American artists and as President of the Black Hills Playhouse Alumni Association.
Graham and Anna Marie make their home in the Black Hills of South Dakota.