Biography

TeatroVivo
Professional Theatre Company of Commedia dell’Arte

TeatroVivo was born in 1998 as “Associazione Culturale” (Cultural Association) and reconstituted as “Cooperativa a Responsabilità Limitata” (Cooperative Society) in January 2008. Based in Cotignola (Ra), it carries on its activity in a railway warehouse restored and opened in 2006 as Teatro Binario. Located next to the train station, the building is property of the City Hall of Cotignola.
The aim of TeatroVivo is the preservation and spread of Commedia dell'Arte, a theatrical genre that has come across five centuries of history and that remains still alive by its very nature, deeply - rooted in the Modern European Theatre. Unfortunately, Commedia dell’Arte is often left behind and at risk to be recollected only in books and in our memories, because the present theatre scene seems to forget its origins. Founders’ will to keep this form of theatre alive, a real boast for the Italian culture, took them to work on several fields: education, production, organization of study congresses (with the participation of important experts of Commedia dell’Arte such as Roberto Tessari - University of Torino) as well as the organization of events dedicated to Commedia..

In 2003 TeatroVivo coordinated a European Project called Europa in Maschera financed by Cultura 2000. The International Cooperation project involved companies from 8 countries (Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Hungary) in preserving and spreading Commedia dell’Arte.

EDUCATION

This activity has always played an important role for TeatroVivo. Since its beginning, the company has organized workshops for schools, workshops dedicated to children and adults who have never studied theatre, or children willing to carry on the study of Commedia. Courses end with a final première at Teatro Binario Cotignola. Advance course students make their debut during the International Festival Limprovvisa. The international Workshop of Commedia dell’Arte addressed to professional actors completes the educational offer. The first edition was held in 2000 and it was open to actors from all over Europe. The success obtained since the beginning of this activity has proved that beyond Italian borders. Commedia Dell’Arte is really appreciated, probably even more than in Italy.

PRODUCTIONS

TeatroVivo stages one or more new productions every year: 1999 Extrema, 2000 Matteuccia va sul rogo, 2001 Sovversioni, 2002 Commedia in Commedia, 2003 Cronache di Servitori, 2004 Comici e Capocomici, 2005 Ricomincio da te, 2006 Pulcinella innamorato. From 2006 the company has been staging shows for children. L’Odissea di Odisseo, that made its debut in the occasion of the opening of Teatro Binario on the 22nd October and La Storia di tutte le storie, based on the homonymous short story by Gianni Rodari. In 2007 TeatroVivo staged La Melacotogna, with original live music, in 2008 La Paura di Arlecchino, and for 2009 it will stage La Divina Commedia.

THEATRE SEASON

Under the Artistic Direction of Cristiano Roccamo, TeatroVivo organizes theatre seasons for schools in the municipalities of Cotignola, Bagnara di Romagna, Solarolo and for children in Cotignola and Massa Lombarda. From 2009 it will organize all’Improvvisa in Spazi Insoliti, a theatre season held in the municipalities of Bagnara di Romagna, Cotignola, Fusignano, Massa Lombarda and Solarolo.

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF COMMEDIA DELL’ARTE LIMPROVVISA

And Flaminio Scala Award

The International Festival of Commedia dell'Arte Limprovvisa started in 2001 with the aim of being the first event dedicated completely to Commedia dell’Arte. Limprovvisa is organized by Comune di Cotignola and TeatroVivo under the patronage of Regione Emilia Romagna and Provincia di Ravenna, and directed by Cristiano Roccamo.

Guests of the Festival have been famous Italian actors such as Dario Fo as well as international companies from Germany, France, Switzerland and Belgium.

The participation of famous personalities of the Italian theatre scene drew heterogeneous audience during the years and Limprovvisa became a real chance for gathering. In 2007 it increased its activities by staging its first coproduction, La Melacotogna.

In 2008 Limprovvisa obtained a prestigious recognition for the high quality of the work done during 8 years. The Ministero per i Beni e le Attività Culturali (Italian Ministry of Cultural Affair) recognized Limprovvisa as Festival of National Relevance for the Italian Culture.

Moreover, from 2007, TeatroVivo in the occasion of Limprovvisa dedicates the Flaminio Scala Award to an Italian actor or director who has spread the Commedia dell'Arte worldwide. In 2008 the prize went to Carlo Boso. The first edition awarded Ferruccio Soleri, main actor in Arlecchino, servitore di due padroni, directed by Giorgio Strehler.

CRISTIANO ROCCAMO

Cristiano Roccamo was born in 1974 and he begins his studies of theatre in 1993. He graduates ad Honorem at the Academie des Arts du Spectacles de Paris, he studies at the Accademia del Circo in Cesenatico and specializes in Commedia dell’Arte studing with Carlo Nicolò Boso (founder of Tag Teatro of Mestre and now Director of Accademie Internationale des Arts du Spectacle de Paris).
In 1998 Cristiano founds in Cotignola (Ra), TeatroVivo, theatre companyundertaken to protect and to spread Commedia dell’Arte worldwide. Some of the most important productions of Teatrovivo are Commedia in Commedia and Comici e Capocomici. These shows were given in Italy (Santarcangelo), France (Paris and Festival of Avignon 2001-2004), Spain, Belgium, Portugal, Germany, Malta, Hungary and Czech Republic.
From 2000 he has been directing the International Workshop of Commedia dell'Arte for professional actors that takes place at Teatro Binario (where he is artistic director) in Cotignola. He is also the artistic director of Limprovvisa - Festival Internazionale di Commedia dell’Arte, Spettacoli a Merenda, and all’Improvvisa in Spazi Insoliti theatre season that takes place in the municipalities of Bagnara di Romagna, Cotignola, Fusignano, Massa Lombarda and Solarolo.
In 2001/2004 he also directed Teatro Vivo in Piazza Nuova (summer theatre season in Bagnacavallo - Ra) and the European project Europa in Maschera, sponsored by Cultura 2000 - European Union.
In addition to his career of actor and director he has also taught Commedia dell’Arte at the Old University of Malta at the University of Pecs (Hungary) at the University of Prague and at the University of Nanterre-Paris.