13–14 October 2025
Sala Ignazio Ambrogio, Roma Tre Palladium Theatre
Closing Conference of the PRIN 2022 Project
Applied Shakespeare: Developing New Educational Models for Transversal Competences and Life-Skills
Applying Shakespeare in site-specific settings energises both place and community, uniting people in meaningful spaces through shared acts of creativity and reflection. In an increasingly complex contemporary world, such practices are essential for nurturing connection, imagination and a shared sense of collective meaning.
This two-day international conference marks the closing event of the PRIN 2022 research project Applied Shakespeare, bringing together the three research units involved in the project to reflect on the outcomes of their collaborative work. Hosted by the Department of Foreign Languages, Literatures and Cultures at Roma Tre University, the conference explores how Shakespeare can be applied to foster community building in site-specific contexts.
Focusing on educational innovation, social engagement and performance practice, the conference investigates how Shakespearean texts can activate meaningful dialogue across diverse communities — from schools and universities to healthcare settings, juvenile detention centres and veteran support programmes. By placing Shakespeare within specific environments and lived experiences, the project has developed new pedagogical models aimed at strengthening transversal competences and life-skills.
The programme includes:
- Two plenary keynote sessions:
- Michael Dobson (Shakespeare Institute, University of Birmingham), in dialogue with Maddalena Pennacchia, on “What Is the Use of Shakespeare? A Dialogue about Dialogue”.
- Stephan Wolfert and Dawn Stern (De-Cruit), in conversation with Michela Compagnoni, on “Using Shakespeare to Heal”, addressing trauma recovery through performance and science.
- Two thematic panels featuring six academic and professional speakers from Roma Tre University, the University of Milan, the University of Bari and Sapienza University of Rome, addressing topics such as site-specific performance, healthcare humanities, eco-theatre practices and community engagement.
- A screening of the docufilm A Tempest in the Lagoon.
- A theatre workshop led by Stephan Wolfert and Dawn Stern (“Experiential Intro to De-Cruit: Treating Trauma Through Shakespeare and Science”), offering participants practical insight into applied performance methodologies.
The conference also includes musical interludes and concludes within the Shakespeare Encore programme, reinforcing the project’s interdisciplinary approach and its commitment to bridging scholarship, performance and community practice.
Convenor
Maddalena Pennacchia (Principal Investigator, Roma Tre University)
Advisory and Organising Committee
Mariacristina Cavecchi (University of Milan)
Alessandra Squeo (University of Bari)
Michela Compagnoni (Roma Tre University)
Lucia Esposito (Roma Tre University)
Enrico Grazzi (Roma Tre University)
Amalia Lavinia Rizzo (Roma Tre University)
Giovanni Maria Vecchio (Roma Tre University)
Ilaria Diotallevi (Roma Tre University)
Valeria Ferrà (Roma Tre University)
