Date of label : 29/10/2024
Illustration of a theater.
Summary
The Theatre for all project revitalised the cultural landscape in the city of Alessandria (IT) by promoting theatre among different segments of the population. This paved the way for the creation of new audiences and fostered access to culture for students, families, children and elderly people. The creation of a multi-level, participatory theatre project helped engage residents, fostered the social, economic and environmental sustainability of the theatre sector, and supported the growth of local artists and of a vibrant cultural scene.
The Community Theatre is preparing the audience for the reopening of the new public City Theatre, planned for 2026 and supported by Next Generation EU with EUR 10 million.
The solutions offered by the Good Practice
Alessandria faces financial difficulties, demographic imbalance, declining attractiveness, a stagnant economy, and the lack of a public theatre. The project addresses these issues by engaging people of all ages in the city’s cultural life, including children, families, students, and especially elderly people. The project revitalises public areas and underused cultural premises.
The key challenges:
- Cultural engagement: Reintroducing quality theatre and accessible cultural experiences, with community participation.
- Educational integration: Bridging the gap between education and culture, providing enriching experiences for students.
- Economic support: Creating job opportunities.
- Sustainability: Leveraging EU funds.
The project’s solutions include:
- Theatre and cinema training courses for high school and professional students managed by local companies (employment opportunities).
- A specific theatre season combining national and local productions (professional growth).
- Diversified shows for primary and middle schools (6-14 years old) (youth engagement).
- Sunday shows for families (family participation).
- A final showcase by students (educational impact).
- Theatrical training for inmates in the City penitentiary (cultural inclusion).
- Affordable tickets (EUR 5) to facilitate access to the theatre (economic support).
Building on the sustainable and integrated urban approach
The project’s solutions address multiple dimensions.
Environmental: The project uses sustainable practices, such as utilising existing venues, encouraging sustainable transport, and promoting energy-efficient operations. Initiatives for reducing the environmental impact of theatre productions are ongoing.
Economic: The project provides a local economic boost, by stimulating the local economy, and creating jobs for artists, technicians and local businesses like restaurants, hotels, private cultural premises. The project creates new opportunities for youth training, improving the theatre sector and the cultural economy of the city, ahead of the opening of the new City Theatre Hall (2026).
Social:
- Community engagement: The project fosters social inclusion by making theatre accessible to diverse audiences. It bridges cultural gaps and promotes social cohesion through participatory activities and affordable ticketing.
- Educational integration: The project collaborates with schools to integrate theatre into curricula, enhancing students' cultural education and personal development, fostering a new generation of theatre audience.
- Collaborative partnerships: The initiative involves multiple stakeholders, including local and regional government, theatre companies, educational institutions, and community organisations. This multi-stakeholder approach ensures a holistic and inclusive development process.
The Community Theatre project helps create a socially cohesive urban environment.
Based on participatory approach
Participatory approach: The project engages many community stakeholders, including schools, the university, Third Age University, local cultural organisations and elderly people’s associations, and private cultural facilities. Public consultations, workshops, feedback, regular surveys and public meetings and conferences ensure community input is integrated into programming decisions.
Stakeholders involvement:
- Local government: Provides funding, logistics, and strategic direction.
- Piemonte dal Vivo Regional Foundation: Co-organiser, funder, and theatre production and programming partner.
- Local theatre companies: Deliver performances and educational activities.
- Educational institutions: Integrate theatre into their curricula, and promote student participation.
- Community organisations: Engage older adults and other community groups.
- Local businesses: Hotels and restaurants benefit from increased cultural tourism, and local communication agencies are employed for advertising and marketing.
Coordination meetings: Regular meetings ensure effective communication among stakeholders.
Shared platforms: Facilitate collaboration and updates.
Outreach: Press conferences, social media, websites involve multiple stakeholders to inform and engage the community.
What difference has it made?
The project has revitalised Alessandria's cultural landscape, improving community spirit and wellbeing, and offering new opportunities for cultural participation. It created a vibrant cultural scene that engages diverse community groups and supports local artists.
Before the project, Alessandria lacked public theatre programming, and had no dedicated public theatre (the previous theatre closed over 13 years ago). There was low cultural participation, and limited opportunities for local theatre companies.
The project established a thriving theatre scene with regular performances, high community engagement, and increased opportunities for local companies.
Impact:
- Audience engagement: Over 10 000 attendees annually, significant participation of students, families and elderly people.
- Educational impact: More than 500 students involved in 2023-2024 (up 50% on 2022-2023).
- Professional growth: Local theatre companies reported a 30% increase in visibility and professional opportunities.
- Community satisfaction: Increasing audience numbers and newspaper articles demonstrate a strong satisfaction among audience, students, professors, cultural associations.
The project’s success is evident in the increasing audience for theatre, the new opportunities created for local theatre companies, and the high levels of satisfaction expressed by the community.
Why this Good Practice should be transferred to other cities
The Community Theatre project is relevant for other European cities due to its comprehensive approach to cultural revival, community engagement, local economic support and easily replicable format.
It aligns with:
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 11 (Sustainable cities and communities), by enhancing cultural infrastructure and social inclusion.
- The Urban Agenda for the EU, by promoting accessible cultural activities and integrated urban development.
- The EU Territorial Agenda, by fostering local development and community cohesion.
The project addressed local needs, in particular, promoting theatrical culture, creating job opportunities for young people, and growing the audience for theatre and the performing arts. These goals are shared by many cities in Europe.
The project is highly adaptable to different city contexts. Its key elements, such as diverse programming, community engagement and education can be tailored to local community needs. Flexible partnerships with local government and educational institutions allow for customisation based on specific urban environments, ensuring the project’s relevance and effectiveness in various settings.
Key features for successfully transferring the approach:
Local government support: Funding, logistics, and strategic coordination.
Partnerships: Collaboration with local theatre companies, cultural/elderly associations, schools, and community organisations.
Funding: Local, regional, national, and private sponsorships.
Community engagement: Involvement of residents and local cultural stakeholders.
Cultural infrastructure: Availability of suitable venues.