The social value of theater is manifold. In order to know its different implications, it will be enough to think of the areas in which movement, speech and imagination inserted in the context of theatrical practice contribute to creating the conditions to facilitate life in areas that society tends to marginalize. One of these is made up of people who have now reached a certain age and who, having left the production circuit, struggle to see a social role recognized.
In response to this context, Accademia presents the research project “TeatroBenessereAnziani” and the processes put in place to show the potential of theatrical practices, performance and narrative in the development of mental health, physical well-being and social participation of older people.
The experience was conceived by Demis Quadri and Veronica Provenzale of the Research Department together with colleagues Claudio Mustacchi and Guenda Bernegger, DEASS researchers, and was led by Daniele Bianco, actor, theater animator and ATD alumnus. A series of active workshops with elderly people were started in the two Pro Senectute day centers of Bellinzona and Tenero, in the Casa San Donato of Intragna and in the Social Center of Russo. It is a further opportunity to put the elderly at the center of attention in a new perspective using theater as a useful tool of exploration for the entire community. Participating in the debate will be the actor Daniele Bianco and the promoters of the project, ATD researchers Demis Quadri and Veronica Provenzale, who will illustrate the most interesting aspects of the project. During the meeting curated by Giorgio Thoeni will be shown snapshots captured by the lens of photographer Reza Khatir.
The project is carried out by ATD and DEASS (Department of Business Administration, Health and Social Sciences) of SUPSI with the support of the cantonal action program of Health Promotion Switzerland and of the Oertli Foundation with the patronage of the Health Promotion and Evaluation Service (SPVS), of Pro Senectute and of some of the municipalities involved.
Daniele Bianco (1983) Actor, director, playwright, pedagogue. He began his career in 1999 with the company Arra teatro di strada. In 2008 he attends the Escuela Circo Carampa of Madrid SP. In 2011 he obtains the Bachelor of Physical Theatre at the Dimitri Theatre Academy. In 2017 he obtains the Master in Directing at RITCS in Brussels. Co-founder of the company Grande Giro. Free lance, his creations include various artistic forms such as clowning, circus, storytelling, dance, physical theater and site-specific performances. He collaborates with Clowns Without Borders (CH).