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About us

About us

Scenario Pubblico / Compagnia Zappalà Danza is a choreographic Centre recognized as ‘Relevant national Interest’ from the Italian Ministry of Culture, the only one in Centre-South Italy.

The recognition to CRID – only 2 in Italy – arrived in 2022 to crown the long history of Compagnia Zappalà Danza and of its founder Roberto Zappalà. 32 years of activity rich of international successes and last but not least the creation 20 years ago of an avant-garde space, Scenario Pubblico, which together with MoDem – the choreographic language of Compagnia Zappalà Danza – quickly changed the perception of dance in the region of Sicily.

The centre Scenario Pubblico was born from an early 20th century structure in the heart of the city of Catania, purchased and renovated in 2002 thanks to the will of the artistic director Roberto Zappalà and to private and European Community funds. It is a rare example in Italy of a European choreographic center, home of Compagnia Zappalà Danza, and it hosts a black-box theater with 150 seats and a large, well-equipped stage, two wide dance studios, offices, a guesthouse,  a videodance workshop, a risto/bar, which immediately became a place of urban aggregation around the body languages. Several activities take place at Scenario Pubblico: production, hospitality, residences, workshops, meetings, dance videomaking, publications and much more, making the space a place where dance can express its full potential. Scenario Pubblico and Compagnia Zappalà Danza in 2015 merged into a single administrative structure that immediately obtained the recognition of National Dance Production Center together with two other Italian structures, and in 2022 the upgrade to CRID.

The Center is also dedicated in supporting emerging choreographers, with an articulated residency program called ACASA, intended for individual projects and for associated choreographers who collaborate for a period of three years.
Numerous Italian and international dance companies hosted at Scenario Pubblico in a rich dance season that runs from September to April and a biennial festival – FIC Fest – dedicated to young creativity. Over 150 performances scheduled during the year between hospitality and production, on site and on tour.
In addition to the historic Compagnia Zappalà Danza, the Center also produces the CZD2 giovane compagnia zappalà danza, made up of dancers chosen from the MoDem PROfessional program. The young company is increasingly proving to be a valid creative tool for the new generation of choreographers who show a special interest in employing the young CZD2 dancers, possessing excellent technical qualities as well as sensitivity and vigor, indispensable sources in the new dynamics and creative methodologies.
Since 2016 Scenario Pubblico is a member of the European network DQD DANSE QUI DANSE, together with Ballet Biarritz / Thiérry Malandain (France), Danish Dance Theater (Denmark), Dantzaz of San Sebastian (Spain), Ginasiano Kalè A22 of Porto (Portugal), National Moravian Silesian Theater (Czech Republic), Matter Affects Foundation (Netherlands), steptext dance project (Germany). Scenario Pubblico / CZD is also a member of the JUMP network with partners Oriente Occidente, MILANoLTRE Festival, Fondazione I Teatri Reggio Emilia, Fondazione Teatro Comunale di Vicenza, Lavanderia a Vapore / Piemonte dal Vivo, Marche Teatro / Inteatro Festival, Orbita, the Teatro Stabile dell’Umbria and obviously Scenario Pubblico / CZD.

There are also numerous national and international but also local partners that have allowed the activation of various articulated and multidisciplinary projects, also addressed to the most disadvantaged audiences.