Teatro Festival - Carosino National Theatre Award

A national theatre award in the heart of the Taranto region

In the small town of Carosino, in the province of Taranto, amateur theatre has found a premier showcase. The Teatro Festival - Carosino National Theatre Award is a competitive festival organized by the CarusTeatro Aps association under the artistic direction of Davide Roselli. Each season, seven amateur companies selected from various Italian regions take the stage at the Teatro Comunale on Via Vittorio Veneto to compete for two prestigious honors: the Carosino National Theatre Award and the "Salvatore Epifani" Directing Award.

A proven formula of laughter and classics

The program alternates between genres and styles: from biting comedies to the great classics of dramaturgy, and from contemporary texts to reinterpretations of popular repertoire. Recent editions have featured productions of works by authors such as Shakespeare, Machiavelli, and Giovanni Verga, alongside dialectal and brilliant comedies that fill the hall. A jury of experts evaluates the productions throughout the weeks of the event and declares the winners during the final evening, which in recent years has been held in the evocative setting of the Castello D'Ayala Valva in Carosino, featuring awards ceremonies, video tributes, and a closing performance.

The value of amateur theatre

More than just a competition, the festival is an opportunity for associations that keep the passion for the stage alive across the peninsula to meet. The event is supported by the Municipality of Carosino, the Province of Taranto, the Apulia Region, the Teatro Pubblico Pugliese, and the Unione Italiana Libero Teatro (UILT), testifying to the initiative's deep roots in the Apulian cultural fabric.

Why it's worth attending

• Seven competing shows each season, with diverse genres and companies.
• Affordable tickets and a season pass that makes the entire festival accessible.
• The final evening at Castello D'Ayala Valva, with awards and tastings.
• A chance to discover the vibrant world of Italian amateur theatre in the heart of Apulia.

Whether you are a theatre enthusiast or simply looking for a different kind of evening in the Taranto area, the Carosino National Theatre Award is a date to mark on your calendar.