Cantieri Teatrali — Novellara Theatre Festival
A week of theatre, dance, and creativity in the heart of Novellara
About Cantieri Teatrali
A festival that builds creativity
Cantieri Teatrali is the theatre review that every year, in spring, enlivens Novellara, a town in the province of Reggio Emilia, in Emilia-Romagna. The idea that gives the festival its name is that of a construction site: for a week, the entire city becomes an open-air laboratory where theatre is built before the audience's eyes, involving artists, students, and citizens.
The roots of the project
The festival was born from a project conceived by young people and for young people, curated and produced by Nassau Teatro in collaboration with the Municipality of Novellara. Year after year, the event has grown, opening up to the entire citizenry with an increasingly rich and varied program. The heart of the project is the educational dimension: Cantieri Teatrali is not just a review of shows, but a journey that brings hundreds of students from schools of all levels to the theatre, both as spectators and as protagonists of their own creations.
The festival venues
The events mainly take place at the Franco Tagliavini Municipal Theatre and the Rocca dei Gonzaga, a splendid Renaissance complex that houses the Gonzaga Museum and the Rocca della Cultura. But the festival gladly leaves conventional spaces to reach the squares, courtyards, and lesser-known places of Novellara, transforming them into distributed stages.
Shows, workshops, and dance
The program alternates evening shows, participatory performances, and workshops for all ages. An important section is dedicated to dance, with showcases that bring together schools from the provinces of Reggio Emilia, Modena, and Parma in choreographies ranging from classical to hip hop, from modern to contemporary. There are also sensory paths, theatrical treasure hunts for the little ones, and productions involving dozens of young performers.
An event for the whole community
With its multidisciplinary and participatory nature, Cantieri Teatrali has become a cultural reference point for Novellara and the Bassa reggiana area. Each edition revolves around a theme that serves as a common thread between the shows, inviting the public to reflect and dream together with the artists, in a festive and shared atmosphere that spans the entire week.
Cantieri Teatrali — edition 2026
2026 Edition — "Teach Me to Fly"
The third edition of Cantieri Teatrali was held from March 22 to 28, 2026, exploring the theme "Teach Me to Fly", dedicated to childhood, memory, imagination, and dreams for the future. The festival transformed Novellara into a true distributed theatre workshop.
Some events
- Thursday, March 26, 8:30 PM, Gonzaga Museum: Flight Trajectories, a participatory theatre workshop (free admission with booking).
- Friday, March 27, 8:30 PM, Gonzaga Museum: Hold My Hand 2.0, a sensory tour through space and relationships.
- Saturday, March 28, 10:30 AM and 11:30 AM, Rocca della Cultura: Mission: Fly!, a treasure hunt for children aged 3 to 5.
- Saturday, March 28, evening: closing performance When a Young Man Dies, directed by Matteo Carnevali.
The program involved local schools and numerous artistic groups, confirming the festival's educational and participatory vocation.
Programme Cantieri Teatrali 2026
2026 Program, theme "Teach Me to Fly" (March 22-28):
- Thu 26/3 8:30 PM — Gonzaga Museum: Flight Trajectories, participatory theatre workshop (free with booking).
- Fri 27/3 8:30 PM — Gonzaga Museum: Hold My Hand 2.0, sensory tour.
- Sat 28/3 10:30 AM and 11:30 AM — Rocca della Cultura: Mission: Fly!, treasure hunt (ages 3-5).
- Sat 28/3 evening — closing performance When a Young Man Dies, directed by Matteo Carnevali.
Throughout the week, shows, workshops, and performances at the Franco Tagliavini Theatre, the Rocca dei Gonzaga, and in the main square.
Highlights Cantieri Teatrali 2026
- Theme "Teach Me to Fly"
- Third edition of the festival
- Closing performance When a Young Man Dies (directed by Matteo Carnevali)
- Workshops and sensory tours at the Gonzaga Museum
- Activities for children at the Rocca della Cultura
Prices Cantieri Teatrali 2026
Practical information — Cantieri Teatrali
How to get there
Novellara is located in the Reggio Emilia plain, about 20 km north of Reggio Emilia. By car, it can be reached from the A1 motorway (Reggio Emilia exit) by continuing along the provincial roads; by train, Novellara station is served by the Reggio Emilia–Guastalla line, while the nearest airport is Bologna Guglielmo Marconi.
Tickets
Many events are free admission with mandatory booking, particularly workshops, sensory tours, and activities for children. For evening shows at the Teatro Tagliavini, it is advisable to check the procedures and prices on the official website.
Information
Franco Tagliavini Municipal Theatre, tel. +39 0522 655407, e-mail [email protected]. For workshops: Nassau Teatro, [email protected].
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Where does it take place — Cantieri Teatrali
Teatro Comunale Franco Tagliavini e Rocca dei Gonzaga
Piazza Don Domenico Cavazzoli 1, 42017 Novellara