Shakespeare in Veneto: unveiling historical heritage and culture acting Shakespeare works
Ornella Naccari and Joseph Falocco
Since 2015, the project “Shakespeare in Veneto” has created immersive experiences by staging Shakespearean plays in the Italian locations where they are set. Audiences are thus able to connect with the history and heritage of these iconic locations through live performances.
Starting 2020, in “Shakespearean promenades” of Venice, Verona, and Padua, participants see site-specific performances of scenes from Othello, The Moor of Venice, The Merchant of Venice, Romeo and Juliet and The Taming of the Shrew performed by professional actors from the region. In Venice for instance, participants follow Shylock through the Ghetto and observe Iago as he plots revenge along the Grand Canal. In Verona, they observe the courtship of Romeo and Juliet on a sixteenth-century balcony and watch the couple say farewell on the banks of the Adige. The participants are lead through the hearts of the cities where these legendary stories are set. These walks offer participants a unique way to explore the cities and culture associated with Shakespeare’s works.
Looking ahead, the project has evolved and in 2024 a new and exciting “educational experience” has been introduced with “Walking with The Taming of the Shrew” in Padua, and in Venice “Walking with Shylock” of the Merchant of Venice and “Walking with Othello, the Moor of Venice” dedicated only to the high school and Universities students. These educational walking lectures offer students the opportunity to participate as actors, performing scenes from the plays in question under the guidance of a professional director.
This participatory approach combines with site-specific history provided by a history expert guide offering a chance to deepen understanding of Shakespeare’s works while also exploring the cultural heritage of Padua, Venice and Verona.
In June 2024, for instance, students in an English class from Texas State University performed scenes from The Taming of the Shrew at various sites in Padua for an audience composed of fellow students from other disciplines. Both performers and audience had little previous knowledge of Shakespeare, and all came away from this project enthusiastic about future study.
For the first thirty minutes of this workshop, the historian and art expert will describe “Shakespeare in Veneto” project, sharing photographs and videos of the company’s endeavors. Then, the workshop organizers will lead participants to a relevant location within walking distance of the Conference site, describing its historical background. After this presentation, volunteers among the workshop participants will be offered the opportunity to perform (script in hand) the different roles of the acted Shakespeare play.
Upon returning to the Conference site, participants will discuss what they have seen and consider how it might impact their own knowing of Shakespeare’s Italian plays. They will also be able to share and critique ideas for developing site-specific Shakespeare performances in or their own community.
This workshop will examine how Shakespeare’s works can be used to reveal cultural and historical heritage through immersive performances in historically significant sites. It will explore how blending theatrical art with cultural activities can enhance understanding of both Shakespeare’s plays and their settings.
Participants will explore the potential of interactive, performance-based learning, especially for students, while addressing key challenges such as the need for multilingual performances and managing audience expectations. The discussion will provide insights into how these elements can be effectively balanced for successful implementation and enriched educational experiences.