Nago Torbole Schools Conclude Three-Year Theater Education Project

With the genuine hope that it might happen again, the two elementary schools and the two preschools of Nago Torbole are concluding a cycle of lively theatrical activity. A project that involved all four institutions simultaneously and vigorously. Three years, this being the duration, during which children learned to step onto the stage, became aware of their bodies, developed a love for theater, and learned to embody their life, feelings, fears, and aspirations; to create with their hands and minds; to confront themselves and others. Four distinct schools, but all centered around a single story that this year was titled “The Journey into the Blue Night”. Analyzed, dissected, and studied from every angle. Each character with their traits and tensions, explored deeply into their spirits. Each class worked on it and expressed part of the story through dance, painting, slideshows, and storytelling, all gathered on the day of the final performance. The schools became a workshop, a gym, all thanks to the teachers’ availability and also to Paola Ruffo, the coordinator of the staff composed of experts who, over the years, have supported the teachers in working with students. This was made possible also thanks to the culture department led by Flavio Pompermaier, who funded the initiative. Three years, therefore, dedicated to the journey: mythological, the first (’97-’98), with The Odyssey; fantastic, last year, with “Around the World in Eighty Days”; and this year, exploring fears with “The Journey into the Blue Night”. This story encouraged students to investigate their fears, desires, and dreams, accompanied by a friendly wolf. With the wolf, they discovered the wonders of the night—a seemingly dark world hiding amazing surprises. Surrounding this story, staging teams and specialists engaged the students with shadow plays, puppets, body theater, and dance, such as the dance of the owls. Research and experiments were conducted on colors and shades from dawn to dusk. Children always have something to say and reveal. A double final show (half the students as spectators and half as actors, and then vice versa), held recently at the Casa della Comunità in Nago, crowned a whole school year of efforts and also showcased to parents the result of an intense educational activity. An exhibition, open for about ten days, finally made public what the children had created. Despite unavoidable setbacks, everyone was happy with the results—children, parents, and teachers alike. “We wanted to lay the foundations within the school so that children and teachers would get closer to the world of theater,” — reported Paola Ruffo — and I believe we succeeded. The ability to perform on stage is the outcome of a journey where, more than the finished product, what matters is the process itself. The teachers also expressed their satisfaction: “Children were able to find themselves among each other,” — said one teacher — “learn new things, gather new ideas and stimuli, such as the physical expression through dance.”