Italian Contemporary Theatre
A.Y. 2025/2026
Learning objectives
The course aims to provide an in-depth understanding and a historical-critical methodology regarding the main phenomena of 20th-century Italian theatre, placing them in dialogue with the European and international context. The second and third parts of the course offer analytical pathways dedicated to the director's theatre in Italy, with particular reference to the productions of the "Teatro Stabile," studied from the perspective of the relationship between text and staging, through historical and contemporary examples from the Milanese stage. The main objective is to equip students with specific skills for the critical analysis of theatre performances.
Expected learning outcomes
By the end of the course, students will acquire methodological and critical skills to analyze the process of theatrical creation, along with in-depth knowledge of the historical and cultural context in which the text and performance are situated. In particular, students will develop the ability to critically analyse examples of Italian director's theatre.
Lesson period: First semester
Assessment methods: Esame
Assessment result: voto verbalizzato in trentesimi
Single course
This course cannot be attended as a single course. Please check our list of single courses to find the ones available for enrolment.
Course syllabus and organization
Single session
Responsible
Lesson period
First semester
Course syllabus
Part A (20 hours - 3 ECTS): Overview of 20th-Century Italian Theatre
Part B (20 hours - 3 ECTS): Luca Ronconi as Artistic Director of the Piccolo Teatro di Milano
Part C (20 hours - 3 ECTS): Foreign Masters on the Milanese Stage: The Cases of Kantor, Brook, and Wilson
Course Overview
The course explores the evolution of live theatre performance in 20th-century Italy, identifying its key stages of development.
The second unit focuses on the evolution of director's theatre, using the figure of Luca Ronconi as a case study.
The third unit analyzes the relationship between the Italian stage and major figures of international experimental theatre, with particular attention to the productions presented in Italy by Kantor, Brook, and Wilson.
Part B (20 hours - 3 ECTS): Luca Ronconi as Artistic Director of the Piccolo Teatro di Milano
Part C (20 hours - 3 ECTS): Foreign Masters on the Milanese Stage: The Cases of Kantor, Brook, and Wilson
Course Overview
The course explores the evolution of live theatre performance in 20th-century Italy, identifying its key stages of development.
The second unit focuses on the evolution of director's theatre, using the figure of Luca Ronconi as a case study.
The third unit analyzes the relationship between the Italian stage and major figures of international experimental theatre, with particular attention to the productions presented in Italy by Kantor, Brook, and Wilson.
Prerequisites for admission
The course is addressed to students of Master degree in Music,Theatre Artd and Literature (TAL) and Music, Culture, Media and Performance (MCMP), and is open to master students of Humanities, History, Languages and Philosophy. Knowledge of the basic concepts of History of the Western theatre and historical chronology of contemporary literature and culture is recommended. Classes are in Italian language.
Teaching methods
The course aims, first and foremost, to provide an in-depth understanding and a historical-critical methodology regarding the main developments in 20th-century Italian theatre, placing them in dialogue with the broader European and international context.
The second and third parts of the course offer analytical pathways focused on Italian and foreign director's theatre, studied from the perspective of the relationship between text and staging, through both historical and contemporary examples from the stage.
The study of topics presented in class is consistently supported by critical and documentary materials and is complemented by the viewing of video excerpts, which are directly analyzed and discussed in class. This fosters the development of various methodological and multidisciplinary approaches, with references to other fields of culture and the arts.
The final unit has a seminar-based format, alternating between lectures (in Italian or English), guest talks by professionals from the theatre world or international visiting professors, and active student engagement through oral presentations on specific case studies.
The second and third parts of the course offer analytical pathways focused on Italian and foreign director's theatre, studied from the perspective of the relationship between text and staging, through both historical and contemporary examples from the stage.
The study of topics presented in class is consistently supported by critical and documentary materials and is complemented by the viewing of video excerpts, which are directly analyzed and discussed in class. This fosters the development of various methodological and multidisciplinary approaches, with references to other fields of culture and the arts.
The final unit has a seminar-based format, alternating between lectures (in Italian or English), guest talks by professionals from the theatre world or international visiting professors, and active student engagement through oral presentations on specific case studies.
Teaching Resources
6 cfu Program guide for non attending students.
1) Written paper (see Methods of Assessment section).
2) Twentieth Century Italian Playwrights, ed. by D. Santeramo, F. Nardi, D. Pietropaolo, R. Capozzo, - Volume I and II, Universitalia, 2024.
3) L. Pirandello, Sei personaggi in cerca di autore, ed. by A. Cascetta, Pisa, Ets, 2017 (with English text and analysis in English).
3) Four papers of choice from the list available on the course's MyAriel site.
9 cfu Program for non attending students.
1) Written paper (see Methods of Assessment section).
2) Twentieth Century Italian Playwrights, ed. by D. Santeramo, F. Nardi, D. Pietropaolo, R. Capozzo, - Volume I and II, Universitalia, 2024.
3) L. Pirandello, Sei personaggi in cerca di autore, ed. by A. Cascetta, Pisa, Ets, 2017 (with English text and analysis in English).
4) Four papers of choice from the list available on the course's MyAriel site.
1) Written paper (see Methods of Assessment section).
2) Twentieth Century Italian Playwrights, ed. by D. Santeramo, F. Nardi, D. Pietropaolo, R. Capozzo, - Volume I and II, Universitalia, 2024.
3) L. Pirandello, Sei personaggi in cerca di autore, ed. by A. Cascetta, Pisa, Ets, 2017 (with English text and analysis in English).
3) Four papers of choice from the list available on the course's MyAriel site.
9 cfu Program for non attending students.
1) Written paper (see Methods of Assessment section).
2) Twentieth Century Italian Playwrights, ed. by D. Santeramo, F. Nardi, D. Pietropaolo, R. Capozzo, - Volume I and II, Universitalia, 2024.
3) L. Pirandello, Sei personaggi in cerca di autore, ed. by A. Cascetta, Pisa, Ets, 2017 (with English text and analysis in English).
4) Four papers of choice from the list available on the course's MyAriel site.
Assessment methods and Criteria
The exam consists of two parts: a written paper of approximately 20,000 characters (or an in-class presentation for attending students) and an oral exam aimed at verifying the student's knowledge of the topics covered in the syllabus and in the supplementary bibliography.
The paper or presentation replaces one of the units of the exam syllabus. Topics and methodologies for the development of the paper (or presentation) will be discussed in class and agreed upon with attending students during the lessons.
All technical information for writing the paper, the assessment criteria, and submission deadlines will be available on the course's MyAriel website.
Non-attending students must agree on the topic of the paper through an in-person or online meeting with the lecturer. To schedule an appointment, please send an email to maria.cambiaghi@unimi.it at least one month before the chosen exam date
The exam consists of two parts: a written paper of approximately 20,000 characters (or an in-class presentation for attending students) and an oral exam aimed at verifying the student's knowledge of the topics covered in the syllabus and in the supplementary bibliography.
The paper or presentation replaces one of the units of the exam syllabus. Topics and methodologies for the development of the paper (or presentation) will be discussed in class and agreed upon with attending students during the lessons.
All technical information for writing the paper, the assessment criteria, and submission deadlines will be available on the course's MyAriel website.
Non-attending students must agree on the topic of the paper through an in-person or online meeting with the lecturer. To schedule an appointment, please send an email to maria.cambiaghi@unimi.it at least one month before the chosen exam date
Warning
International students or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher in charge of the course in a timely manner.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or with DSA must be defined with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
The paper or presentation replaces one of the units of the exam syllabus. Topics and methodologies for the development of the paper (or presentation) will be discussed in class and agreed upon with attending students during the lessons.
All technical information for writing the paper, the assessment criteria, and submission deadlines will be available on the course's MyAriel website.
Non-attending students must agree on the topic of the paper through an in-person or online meeting with the lecturer. To schedule an appointment, please send an email to maria.cambiaghi@unimi.it at least one month before the chosen exam date
The exam consists of two parts: a written paper of approximately 20,000 characters (or an in-class presentation for attending students) and an oral exam aimed at verifying the student's knowledge of the topics covered in the syllabus and in the supplementary bibliography.
The paper or presentation replaces one of the units of the exam syllabus. Topics and methodologies for the development of the paper (or presentation) will be discussed in class and agreed upon with attending students during the lessons.
All technical information for writing the paper, the assessment criteria, and submission deadlines will be available on the course's MyAriel website.
Non-attending students must agree on the topic of the paper through an in-person or online meeting with the lecturer. To schedule an appointment, please send an email to maria.cambiaghi@unimi.it at least one month before the chosen exam date
Warning
International students or Erasmus incoming students are invited to contact the teacher in charge of the course in a timely manner.
The examination procedures for students with disabilities and/or with DSA must be defined with the teacher, in agreement with the competent office.
L-ART/05 - PERFORMING ARTS - University credits: 6
Lessons: 40 hours
Professor:
Cambiaghi Mariagabriella
Professor(s)