Shakespeare Theatre for Outlasting Resilience in Mental Health
A project by fringe ensemble, Bonn, Teatro Stabile del Veneto, Venice, Teatrul National Marin Sorescu, Craiova, Fitzcarraldo Foundation, Turin, Department of General Psychology (DPG) of the University of Padua
STORM is a Creative Europe project that combines Shakespeare’s theater with the theme of psychological resilience to focus on the major challenges facing people aged 18 to 25. The aim is to involve young people in a multi-part production process that will result in an international co-production to be shown in Italy, Romania and Germany in September 2026.
We are living in a time of rapid change that is transforming our societies and profoundly affecting our lives. In this often overwhelming context, a mental health crisis has emerged that affects young people in particular. However, culture offers effective tools.
Cultural activities help to reduce stress, regulate emotions and strengthen resilience. The focus is on prevention and awareness, not treatment. The aim is to highlight the value of mental wellbeing, promote psychological support and improve understanding of how mental health issues affect young people’s lives.
Participatory theater is an effective tool to reach young people with mental health issues. By strengthening the dialog with young people and including their voice in creative processes, cultural institutions promote individual and collective well-being and remain inclusive, relevant and closely connected to their communities.
STORM teaches artists and young people important skills and encourages the development of self-confidence, resilience and emotional awareness. By connecting culture and mental health, it promotes personal growth, creative collaboration and a stronger, more supportive community.
Premiere
11. September 2026
September 12, 2026
Teatro Camploy, Verona
September 18, 2026
September 19, 2026
Theater im Ballsaal, Bonn
following
National Theater Marin Sorescu, Craiova
Team of the first project phase
Frank Heuel, director
Marta Dalla Via, dramaturge
Victoraș Matei, Ovidiu Cârstea, actor
Annika Ley, visual artist
Giuliano Tomei, psychologist
Laurențiu Tudor, artistic community manager
Carmen Stanciu, Shakespeare expert
Angela Mognol, Luisella Carnelli, researchers with evaluation experience
The partners
The Teatro Stabile del Veneto is one of the most important production theaters in Italy, a renowned center of artistic and cultural tradition. It operates venues in Venice, Padua and Treviso. It combines regional tradition with innovative cultural projects. The aim is to work on a sustainable and digitally advanced reality in order to promote local talent and reach an ever larger audience. TSV cooperates with the universities of Padua and Venice, schools in the region, small local theater groups, cultural and community associations. Education is also close to TSV’s heart: the drama academy is based on an innovative model developed together with the region and financed by the EFS program (European Social Fund). TSV manages the Universerìe project, in which students from the University of Padua are actively involved as authors and actors. The theater is also part of the “Teatri per la Regione Veneto” network, which works to promote theater in the region.
With 175 years of history, the Marin Sorescu National Theater in Craiova is the second oldest national theater in Romania. In 1995, it became the first theater in Central and Eastern Europe to join the European Theater Convention. It enjoys an international reputation and has participated in major festivals such as Edinburgh, Avignon, the Holland Festival, the Vienna Festival and the Shakespeare Festivals in Tokyo, Gdansk and Bath. In 1994, director Emil Boroghină founded the International Shakespeare Festival, which is now one of the most renowned in the world. The theater promotes up-and-coming talent with the TNT Festival for young European directors and remains a cultural reference.
Since 1999, the Fitzcarraldo Foundation has been committed to sustainability and innovation in cultural and creative policy, practice and processes. It researches, advises, trains and is committed to the transformative potential of cultural work. Fitzcarraldo’s approach is based on independence, collaboration, experimentation and participation and emphasizes the fundamental role of culture as a common good and driver of social and economic prosperity. An important pillar of the foundation’s expertise is intensive research into the interplay between culture, community and social cohesion.
The Department of General Psychology (DPG) at the University of Padua conducts excellent empirical studies on human and animal psychology, whose roots go back to Vittorio Benussi. With 80 faculty members (80% above national bibliometric thresholds), 26 staff members, 40 postdoctoral researchers and 50 graduate students in three PhD programs, the department has 50 laboratories equipped with advanced facilities for cognitive neuroscience. As part of the Padua Neuroscience Center, the DPG provides clinical services through SCUP and enjoys a high international reputation. It has recently received prestigious European and national funding (Horizon 2020, ERC, PRIN, PNRR) and is recognized worldwide as “excellent”. The DPG is an associated partner of the STORM project.
Funded by the European Union. However, the views and opinions expressed are solely those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Creative Europe Desk Culture. Neither the European Union nor the funding body can be held responsible.
