Harmonising sustainability in theatres as catalysts for resilience
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Copyright (c) 2025 Annamaria Esposito, Angela Besana, Chiara Fisichella

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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.13138/2039-2362/3697Abstract
This paper seeks to highlight the critical role that theatres play in fostering resilience and sustainability and underscores the significance of a holistic approach to sustainability thanks to a qualitative analysis of five Milanese theatres. The findings highlight the potential of theatres to act as catalysts for society’s reflection, dialogue, and action towards sustainability, emphasising the indispensable role of community involvement and stakeholder collaboration. The investigation reveals that the sustainability of theatres depends on global strategies that include management efficiency, marketing innovation, and diversification of funding. Digitisation of archives and sustainable production practices emerge as pivotal in minimising environmental impacts and preserving cultural heritage. Simultaneously, innovative staging, audience engagement in sustainability, and the development of new works addressing current sustainability challenges serve to amplify the societal impact of theatres.
Questo lavoro cerca di evidenziare il ruolo critico dei teatri nel promuovere la sostenibilità e, grazie a un’indagine qualitativa su cinque teatri milanesi, sottolinea l’importanza di un approccio olistico alla sostenibilità. I risultati evidenziano il potenziale dei teatri nel fungere da catalizzatori per la riflessione, il dialogo e l’azione della società verso la sostenibilità, sottolineando il ruolo indispensabile del coinvolgimento della comunità e della collaborazione degli stakeholder. L’analisi rivela che la sostenibilità dei teatri dipende da strategie globali che comprendono l’efficienza della gestione, l’innovazione del marketing e la diversificazione dei finanziamenti. La digitalizzazione degli archivi e le pratiche di produzione sostenibili si rivelano fondamentali per ridurre al minimo l’impatto ambientale e preservare il patrimonio culturale. Allo stesso tempo, gli allestimenti innovativi, il coinvolgimento del pubblico nella sostenibilità e lo sviluppo di nuove opere teatrali, che affrontano le attuali sfide della sostenibilità, amplificano l’impatto sociale dei teatri.
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