In this step of selection, residency , co-creation and co-productions has involved the italian partners Instabili Vaganti and ATER Foundation and the international partner The National Theater of Tunisia, and took place from the 5th to the 13th of September 2024 in collaboration and with the support of the Italian Cultural Institute of Tunis.
The first part of this step involved a workshop to select Tunisian artists to form the cast of the production Frontièere #Tunisie, directed by Anna Dora Dorno and set to debut at the Festival Journées théâtrales de Carthage in November 2024.
The workshop saw the participation of eighteen young actors and dancers togheter with the artist Moayed Ghazouani, already part of the project since 2021, who worked in intense eight hour sessions with the Italian team: Dorno herself and the performer and playwright Nicola Pianzola, who conducted the physical training with the collaboration of Camilla Paris, the latter who taught the choreographies created by the dancer Elena Copelli. During the workshop phases of exchange of techniques, artistic co-creation and disciplines where included, a practice of support to the performative structure already consolidated in the previous phases of the project in Italy and India.
Selection workshop – Bernard Turin Room – Tunisi National Theater – Ph. Andrea Bastogi
A distinct aspect of the project is that it allows the artists who partake in the new stages of the project to acquire the legacy of previous creations and to rework them in an unprecedented performative structure, where new artistic materials are grafted, creating real international productions and co-productions.
This methodology was used during the residency and artistic creation that followed the selection workshop. During the residency outdoor work sessions were also organized with a selected group of of performers: Nicola Pianzola, Camilla Paris, Moayed Ghazouani, Sabri Rejeb, Aymen Trabelsi. These work session led to the realization of performative installations in the historical sites of Chartage and Udna.
Under the direction of Anna Dora Dorna videos of the perfomances were shot, thanks to the collaboration of the visual artist, videomaker and director of photography Andrea Bastogi
Performative installations and video shoot – Archeological sites of Chartage and Udna
The three-day workshop and the subsequent co-creation stage allowed the artistic direction of Instabili Vaganti and the National Theater of Tunisia to form the final cast of the co-production Frontière#Tunisie. The cast itself was made up of 4 Italian artists, including two young performers under 35, and 5 Tunisian actors and dancers.
The residency program led to an improvement of the skills of the young artist Camilla Paris, who for the first time in her career found herself directing work and teaching sessions with international artists.
Also collaborated in the choreographic creation of some parts of the final presentation and took part in video dance works in historical and UNESCO sites.
Performative installations – UNESCO site of Chartaghe – Ph. Andrea Bastogi
Nicola Pianzola was able as scriptwriter to work with the french language and connect with the poetic texts that brought by the tunisian paarticipants. As a performer he was able to work closely with the dancers and share notes on his work method, based on physical theater, with different dance stiles. Anna Dora Dorno has had the opportunity to direct an international group of performers in both during theaterical and video productions, on different locations from the stage to open-air spaces in site-specific settings.
Thanks to the collaboration of the Tunisian Ministry of Culture all participants were able to partake in this unique opportunity to work in sites of such historical and artistic significance. These sites not only hold great historical value for Tunisia but also for Italy, as they are parts of a shared tradition between the two countries.
The creative process during the residency – Bernard Turin Room – The National Theater of Tunisia – Ph. Andrea Bastogi
This step ended with a final demonstration open to the students attending the National Theater School and to an interested audience, and saw a cast of 10 performers on stage. This particular step was organized by Federico Costanza, who interacted with the various Italian and Tunisian institutions involved, developing new production and international relations skills.
As a result of this step an agreement of co-production between Instabili Vaganti, the Italian Cultural Institute and the National Theater of Tunisia was determined. As part of this agreement there is also the future tour of the piece around mediterenean countries in 2025.
Pubblic demostration
Frontière#Tunisie – 1st study – Bernard Turin Room – The National Theater of Tunisia
In this step the following artists and practicioners were involved:
Anna Dora Dorno – director and actor, Nicola Pianzola – performer, Elena Copelli – choreographer, Federico Costanza – Project manager, Camilla Paris – dancer, ITALIA ; Arsalene Barhoumi – actor, Sabri Rejeb – dancer, Taouriti Charfeddine – dancer, Hedhili Ines – actor, Aymen Trabelsi – dancer, Mariem Sayeh – actor, Imène Ghazouani – actor, Nourhene Jaafar – actor, Tayaa Ahmed – performer, Mohamed louay elleuch – actor, Haithem Moumni – actor, TUNISIA; Omar Mahdy – actor, EGITTO.