International Youth Theatre Festival of Rome 2026

The International Youth Theatre Festival of Rome will take place in May 2026 at the Teatro San Raffaele, a historic 440-seat venue located in one of Rome’s most vibrant cultural areas.Promoted and produced by Compagnia Il Cilindro, one of Italy’s leading theatre companies for young audiences, the festival is directed by Pino Cormani, a renowned playwright, actor, and director with over 35 years of experience in theatre production, education, and cultural management.After one year of a national edition, this international edition aims to establish an international platform for youth theatre, bringing together artists, educators, and families from Italy and across Europe.Beyond its artistic program, the festival integrates a strong educational and intercultural dimension, promoting theatre as a tool for dialogue, empathy, and social awareness. The selected productions combine traditional storytelling, puppetry, music, and physical theatre with innovative visual and digital elements.Special attention is given to inclusive theatre, encouraging accessibility for audiences with disabilities and promoting diversity among artists and themes.The 2026 edition will include:Performances dedicated to young audiences;Workshops and laboratories for children, teachers, and young actors, focused on creativity, language, inclusion and cross-cultural collaboration;Talks and conferences with educators, artists, and cultural operators exploring the role of theatre in contemporary youth education.In the long term, the International Youth Theatre Festival of Rome aims to become a permanent meeting point for European theatre for young audiences — a space for artistic exchange, professional development, and cultural diplomacy.It seeks to build bridges between Rome and other European cities, positioning the Italian capital as a key hub for children’s and youth theatre in Europe.The 2026 edition represents not only a celebration of creativity and education but also the beginning of a new European network of festivals and artists committed to inspiring the next generation of audiences through the transformative power of theatre.