Wanda Capodaglio National Theatre Competition

An award for the young talents of the Italian stage

The Wanda Capodaglio National Theatre Competition is one of the most significant showcases dedicated to young actors in Italy. It takes place in Castelfranco Piandiscò, in the Valdarno area, on the stage of the Wanda Capodaglio Municipal Theatre, named after the celebrated theatre and film actress (1889-1980) who dedicated her entire life to acting. The competition is reserved for students and graduates of Italian theatre academies and schools aged between 18 and 35, who are called upon to test themselves before a jury through acting performances drawn from the great dramatic repertoire.

History and rebirth of a historic competition

The origins of the award date back to 1981, when it was founded to honour the memory of Wanda Capodaglio and promote new stage talents. After a hiatus of about thirty years, the competition was reborn with great momentum, embracing the cultural heritage of the region and re-establishing itself as a key appointment for acting schools across the peninsula. Applications arrive from the most important Italian academies: from the Civica Scuola Paolo Grassi in Milan to the Silvio D'Amico National Academy of Dramatic Arts in Rome, and from the Piccolo Teatro School to the INDA Academy of Ancient Drama in Syracuse.

The final evening and the jury

The heart of the event is the final evening, during which the ten finalists selected by the committee perform live before an audience and a jury composed of great names from Italian theatre and cinema. Recent editions have featured artists such as Lucia Poli, Giampiero Ingrassia, Giorgio Lupano, Giuseppe Pambieri, and Giorgia Trasselli. In addition to the first prize, the evening awards recognition to the runners-up and a Critics' Award, named after theatre critic Francesco Tei.

An event for the local community

The event is organised by the Wanda Capodaglio Cultural Association in collaboration with the Masaccio Cultural Association and the Pro Loco of Faella, and enjoys the patronage of the Ministry of Culture, the Tuscany Region, the Province of Arezzo, and the Municipality of Castelfranco Piandiscò. For the public, the Wanda Capodaglio Competition is an opportunity to attend a high-quality performance for free and to discover the actors who will grace the Italian stages of the future, all within an intimate and evocative setting in the heart of Tuscany.