Animalenta

Animalenta is a women-founded theatre cooperative established in 2014 in Conversano, Puglia, through the region’s Nidi initiative supporting new businesses. The company creates original plays, cultural projects, site-specific performances and educational programmes, using theatre to explore gender equality, women’s empowerment, inclusion and children’s rights. Its work seeks to challenge stereotypes, sexism, gender-based violence, bullying, xenophobia, school dropout and educational poverty, with particular attention to younger generations.

Animalenta’s productions include scAlzati, about domestic violence; Farfalle, on the story of the Mirabal sisters; Zvi Zvi Rosa Luxemburg, developed through an artistic residency involving people in detention; and Virginia allo specchio, inspired by Virginia Woolf’s life and work. The cooperative also organizes theatre and civic-theatre events, workshops for children, teenagers and women, and cultural projects designed to foster community participation and social regeneration. Its activities extend to prisons, psychiatric communities and reception centres. Animalenta collaborates with anti-violence organizations and cultural partners, and develops site-specific works, including an annual production at the Monastery of San Benedetto in Conversano.