The social theatre it is the expression chosen by numerous realities to catalyze change. The performances represent the culmination of a journey of research, discovery and relationship between the actors and the context: along the journey values, critical issues, resistance intersect and sometimes the future of a territory is traced.
The fourth edition of Biennial of Social Theater – self-financed by SocialMeccanica Workshop – welcomes and strengthens the close bond between theatre, individuals, groups and entire communities, with particular reference to social groups at risk of social exclusion. The Festival will take place on 14, 15 and 16 June in Catania to offer the city and the Sicilian public spaces and moments of meeting, exchange and growth. The round table – in co-planning with the Etna Volunteer Services Center – the workshops and performances, with the presence of companies, trainers and scholars from the national scene, will allow the exploration of practices, debates, reflections, visions and theatrical experiences .
«The commitment of the volunteers is the basis of the success of this Festival – he explains Mariagiovanna Italy, founder of Officina SocialMeccanica – we built a network that crossed the borders of our city and our region, weaving connections between different theater realities involved in the community development process. For the 2024 edition we will focus on a theme that concerns us all: “In search of time“, we live at the speed of light, but the often arduous challenge is to be able to transform the emergency into political and social urgency: the theater will contribute to shining a spotlight on the awareness of how necessary it is to distinguish what we are forced to do every day to respond to the emergency, from the time dedicated to what is truly urgent and important.”
When the stage becomes the tool to trigger transformative processes, the theatrical action is not only creative but sociocultural: the direction, the screenplay, the artistic expression reveal themselves as forms of revolution and acts of freedom capable of highlighting truths and having an impact on the context of those who create them, men and women who are not actors but who share themes and issues and address them on a creative level, and of the public who benefits from them.
To support the Biennale di Teatro Sociale for the first time it is possible to contribute via the crowdfunding on https://www.produzionidalbasso.com/project/iv-biennale-di-teatro-sociale. Fundraising is already active. The packed program of the Etna Festival involves theater groups, Social Theater operators, researchers, trainers working in the Sicilian and national territory. The performances, meetings and workshops are open to all, some are already sold-out, to participate you must book online at https://form.jotform.com/241394591153054, the registration fees will entirely support the Festival. The activities will take place at the Bastione degli Infetti, the Church of San Nicolò l’Arena, the Legatoria Prampolini, the Spazio Clatù, the Ardizzone Gioeni Institute and the Salesian Oratory San Filippo Neri.
PERFORMANCE PROGRAM ROUND TABLE
- Friday 14 June | Bastion of the Infected in Via Torre del Vescovo, 3
7.30pm Bianco Puro – Production by Compagnia Oltremura/Mosaico – Palermo.
9.00pm Being us – Talità Kum Association – Catania.
9.30pm Where am I? – Production of CSV San Nicola – Bari.
- Saturday 15 June | Bastion of the Infected in Via Torre del Vescovo, 3
8.30pm Circo Midulla Cabaret – Midulla multifunctional center – Catania.
9.30pm Me – The rebirth – Il Giullare theater company – Trani.
- Sunday 16 June Prampolini Bookbindery in Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 333
10.30 Social Theater Round Table “In search of time, from emergency to urgency”
Speeches by Claudio Bernardi (Catholic University of Milan), Giulia Innocenti Malini (University of Pavia), Simona Scattina (University of Catania), Officina SocialMeccanica.
- Sunday 16 June | Bastion of the Infected in Via Torre del Vescovo, 3
7.30pm Novecento, my idea of freedom – Teatro Stabile Mario Re with Niside community and Comu Casa – Mascalucia – Catania – Biancavilla.
9.00pm In search of time
Search1 Colect. Mieleviajero and Acto Latino – Catania – Bogotà.
Research 2 SocialMeccanica Workshop – Catania.
WORKSHOP PROGRAM
9.30 – 1.30 pm | “The rhythm of the Clown” – Clown workshop | With Maria Elena Rubbino and Andrea Arena, Associazione Clatù – Spazio Clatù, via Marchese di Casalotto 67.
10.30 – 12.30 | “The time of reconnection: the other as an opportunity for discovery” – Laboratory of social theatre, bioenergetics, Dmt, paratheatrical practices | With Claudia Calcagnile, Il Mosaico Association, Salesian Oratory San Filippo Neri, Via Teatro Greco 32.
2.30pm – 6.30pm | “Let’s not expect too much from the end of the world, that is: I got dem ol’ Armageddon blues again, mama!” – Dramatherapy workshop with Salvo Pitruzzella – Spazio Clatù, via Marchese di Casalotto 67.
3.30pm – 6.30pm | Workshop “Laboratorio Corpi Insoliti” – Theatre-Dance in interaction with artists with different abilities. With Monica Felloni – NèonTeatro, Istituto Ardizzone Gioeni (former hospice for the blind), Via Etnea 595.
9.30 -13.30 | I go. There is a free swing! Ludopedagogy workshop to play the time: pamper yourself in the seconds, enhance the parentheses, search the edges of time. With Maria Domenica De Vizia, Cristina Gasperin and Fabio Ferrito, Associazione Liscìa – Associazione Ci ridiamo su’, Spazio Clatù, via Marchese di Casalotto 67.
2.30pm – 6.30pm | “Images from the future. Creative suggestions in a shamanic dream for a possible future” – Imago Active Dreamwork Laboratory with Claudio Boccia – Spazio Clatù, via Marchese di Casalotto 67.
4.00pm – 7.00pm | “The time of water. Dance E-Motion Workshop” with Margherita Badalà – Salesian Oratory San Filippo Neri, Via Teatro Greco 32
2.30pm – 6.30pm | “Momentum” – Theater of the Oppressed Workshop with Mariagrazia Ruggieri, Cooperativa Giolli – Spazio Clatù, via Marchese di Casalotto 67.
3.30pm -5.00pm | “Dancing your gaze. Maria Fux method creative dance/dance therapy workshop with Antonella Sannino – San Filippo Neri Salesian Oratory, Via Teatro Greco 32.
