Chièdiscena Festival
The festival that introduces new generations to theatre in Gioia del Colle
About Chièdiscena
A festival that puts theatre in the hands of young people
Chièdiscena is much more than a theatre review: it is a true laboratory of the arts designed for new generations. Every year, in Gioia del Colle, in the heart of the Puglia region, the festival transforms the city's iconic landmarks into spaces for creation and encounter. Promoted by the Sic! ProgettAzioni Culturali association and directed by Maurizio Vacca, it is the result of extensive research, selection, and training that involves high school students from across the region starting in the autumn.
Where it takes place: Teatro Rossini and the Norman-Swabian Castle
The heart of the festival is the Teatro Comunale Rossini, the historic stage of Gioia del Colle, complemented by the halls and courtyards of the Norman-Swabian Castle, one of the city's most fascinating monuments. These are joined by the town squares and corners of the centre, where urban interventions come to life: moments where theatre steps out of conventional venues to meet citizens and passersby directly.
What to expect
- School matinées: performances created by high schools and cultural associations from all over Italy and abroad;
- Evening shows with professional companies and artists of national and international standing;
- Dance, urban interventions, and artistic residencies that bring the theatre, the castle, and the squares to life;
- Critical viewing paths and meetings with industry professionals to educate the gaze of the younger audience.
Educating through theatre
The strength of Chièdiscena lies in its educational approach: the festival does not simply stage performances, but guides young people on a journey that starts in school workshops and leads to the stage. Each edition is built around a theme that invites young people to reflect, making theatre a tool for growth, listening, and awareness. For one week, Gioia del Colle becomes an open-air laboratory where theatre engages with schools, the city, and its historical heritage.
Chièdiscena — edition 2026
The ninth edition of the Chièdiscena Festival was held in Gioia del Colle from April 12 to 18, 2026, enlivening the Teatro Comunale Rossini and the Norman-Swabian Castle. This year's theme, "What moves you," accompanied the seven days as an invitation to young people to question their own passions. The programme, curated by artistic director Maurizio Vacca, was the result of a series of workshops and training sessions started in October 2025 with students from three local high schools, and alternated between matinées dedicated to schools, evening shows with professional companies, urban interventions, and artistic residencies.
Programme Chièdiscena 2026
Sunday, April 12 — Teatro Comunale Rossini
- 20:30 — "Carpe Diem", a reinterpretation of the film "Dead Poets Society," performed by 26 students from three partner schools, directed by Maurizio Vacca (opening show).
Tuesday, April 14 — Norman-Swabian Castle
- 16:30, 17:30, and 18:30 — "Miss Lala at the Cirque Fernando", with Marigia Maggipinto (dancer from the Tanztheater of Pina Bausch), directed by Chiara Frigo.
Thursday, April 16 — Piazza Plebiscito
- 17:00 — "What moves you – The gesture of Lindsay Kemp", urban intervention by Daniela Maccari.
Friday, April 17 — Teatro Comunale Rossini
- 21:00 — "Barbie and Ken", Teatro La Fuffa (Italy/Switzerland).
Saturday, April 18 — Teatro Comunale Rossini
- 21:00 — "Kindergarten", curated by Manuela V. Colacicco and Riccardo Giacomella (closing show).
The programme also included matinées reserved for students, critical viewing paths, and meetings with industry professionals. Partner schools: IISS "Canudo Marone Galilei" of Gioia del Colle, IISS "Rosa Luxemburg" of Acquaviva delle Fonti, and IISS "Majorana Laterza" of Putignano.
Highlights Chièdiscena 2026
Prices Chièdiscena 2026
Practical information — Chièdiscena
Location
Performances take place primarily at the Teatro Comunale Rossini in Gioia del Colle (Metropolitan City of Bari, Puglia) and within the spaces of the Norman-Swabian Castle, with urban interventions in the town squares.
How to get there
Gioia del Colle is served by the railway station on the Bari-Taranto line and is easily accessible by car via the SS100 Bari-Taranto road. The nearest airport is Bari Karol Wojtyła Airport.
Tickets
Many matinées are reserved for schools; for evening performances, it is recommended to check access methods and ticket availability with the organizers (Sic! ProgettAzioni Culturali) and the Teatro Comunale Rossini.
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Where does it take place — Chièdiscena
Teatro Comunale Rossini