Scena Aperta Festival – Independent Theatre Festival

Independent theatre in Albano Laziale

The Scena Aperta Festival – Independent Theatre Festival is a showcase held at the Teatro dei Castelli Romani in Cecchina, a district of Albano Laziale, in the province of Rome, Lazio. Created to promote theatre as a collective, accessible, and participatory experience, the festival provides a platform for diverse local artistic groups: amateur companies, non-professional troupes, schools, theatre workshops, and cultural associations, offering everything from prose and dance to music and staged readings.

A project by Scuola Ariadne and Danz'Arte

The event is promoted by the Scuola d'Arte Drammatica Ariadne, directed by Valeria Friberg, and organized by the Associazione Danz'Arte, directed by Cristina Colonnetti. The festival is designed as an open and inclusive showcase: it hosts theatre, dance-theatre, dance, and music, as well as theatrical studies and school or workshop projects. Performances, lasting between 15 and 45 minutes, are evaluated by a professional artistic jury that awards special mentions, while the overall winner is chosen by a popular jury, fostering a spirit of sharing and dialogue between artists and the audience.

The Teatro dei Castelli Romani in Cecchina

The heart of the festival is the Teatro dei Castelli Romani, located in Piazza Salvo D'Acquisto in Cecchina, a venue that hosts prose seasons, children's shows, and acting courses for all ages throughout the year. Situated on the outskirts of Albano Laziale, the theatre serves as a cultural landmark for the entire Castelli Romani district, a hilly area south of Rome famous for its charming villages, volcanic lakes, and rich culinary traditions.

A festival growing with the community

Now in its second edition in 2026, the Scena Aperta Festival has become a staple of late June, bringing together different generations on stage—from young children to adult acting students. The stated goal is to prioritize personal growth, training, and cultural sharing, making theatre a meeting point for the entire community. Participation is also open to external groups, who can apply through a public call for entries.

In the Castelli Romani, between culture and tradition

Attending the Scena Aperta Festival is also a perfect opportunity to discover Albano Laziale and the Castelli Romani: a territory steeped in history, from Roman ruins to papal palaces, with a vibrant tradition of local food festivals and patron saint feasts. The festival thus fits into a context where the theatrical stage engages with the cultural identity of one of the most beloved areas in Lazio.