The 53rd International Theatre Festival of La Biennale di Venezia returns from May 31 to June 15, 2025, under the artistic direction of renowned actor Willem Dafoe. With the theme “Theatre is Body – Body is Poetry”, the Biennale Teatro celebrates the actor’s body as the primary vehicle of theatrical creation, exploring its physical and poetic essence.
“The body, its presence, its intelligence beyond our control is the beating heart of the theatre”, affirms Dafoe, whose curatorial vision shapes four major strands of research:
1️ – Venice 75/25 – Reflecting on the pivotal 1975 Theatre Biennale led by Luca Ronconi, this section bridges the revolutionary theatre of the past with the experimentation of today.
2️ – Today’s Masters – Honoring leading figures of post-modern and post-dramatic theatre such as Thomas Ostermeier, Romeo Castellucci, and The Wooster Group, whose work continues to redefine stage language.
3️ – A Look to the Future – Showcasing new generations of theatre-makers, including Princess Bangura and Industria Indipendente, whose daring poetics push boundaries.
4️ – Biennale College – A vital platform for education and creation, featuring a major collaboration with the Accademia Nazionale d’Arte Drammatica Silvio d’Amico, led by Antonio Latella.
The Festival also includes Spazio Cinema, a dedicated section for film and documentary works by the featured artists, offering an intimate glimpse into their creative worlds.
Venice becomes once again the world capital of experimental theatre.
Website: www.labiennale.org
Location: Ca’ Giustinian and Arsenale, Venice
Schedule: May 31 – June 15, 2025
