Theater The Dimitri acting school in Verscio TI is 50 years old
The Accademia Teatro Dimitri focuses on so-called "physical theater", a theater of body and movement. (archive picture)
Image: Keystone
Students of the Accademia Teatro Dimitri during pantomime lessons. (archive picture)
Image: Keystone
The Accademia Teatro Dimitri focuses on so-called "physical theater", a theater of body and movement. (archive picture)
Image: Keystone
Students of the Accademia Teatro Dimitri during pantomime lessons. (archive picture)
Image: Keystone
In five decades, it has trained almost 700 stage artists: The Accademia Teatro Dimitri, which is closely associated with the theater of the famous clown. This year, the training center is celebrating its 50th anniversary.
30.01.2025, 11:00
SDA
What is taught at the academy is an art at the interface of theater, dance and circus arts, as the media documents state. This form of theater is also referred to as "physical theater", as the body and movement of the performer are at the heart of the dramaturgical process.
The strong physical presence of the actors and actresses creates a special connection between the stage and the auditorium, the organizers write. This is particularly noticeable in the small and intimate Teatro Dimitri in Verscio itself. This is where the premieres of the graduating classes' plays are regularly presented and where Accademia students can be found discussing in the theater's courtyard, at the coffee bar or practicing their disciplines.
Broad spectrum of disciplines
The former "Dimitri Theater School" was founded in 1975, four years after the Teatro Dimitri. In addition to the clown Dimitri and his wife Gunda, the actor and mime Richard Weber was also one of the founders of the Scuola.
The aim of the Accademia was and is to unite a broad spectrum of artistic disciplines under one roof, as stated in the communiqué. After starting with a small group of teachers and a few students, the number of both grew steadily, as did the range of courses and disciplines on offer.
In 2006, the Scuola Teatro Dimitri was affiliated with the University of Applied Sciences of Italian-speaking Switzerland (Supsi). Since 2015, it has been called "Accademia Teatro Dimitri" and offers a Bachelor's and a Master's degree course with three specializations: physical and movement theater, puppet theater and applied theater practice. The Accademia also offers further education courses, workshops, courses and projects for schools and institutions.
Anniversary event with the orchestra
There are currently 42 students enrolled on the Bachelor's degree course and 24 on the Master's degree course. In addition, there are 37 graduates of further education courses, as the Supsi media spokesperson told the Keystone-SDA news agency when asked.
The courses are held at the headquarters of the theater academy in Verscio, at the Teatro Dimitri in Verscio and at the second location of the theater school in Avegno in the Maggia Valley. Dimitri's theater academy remains unique, not least due to the strong intertwining of school and theater.
This year's anniversary will be celebrated with a series of events throughout Switzerland. Among other things, the Accademia Teatro Dimitri is joining forces with the Orchestra della Svizzera italiana, which is also celebrating an anniversary, for a "special concert with dance and theater" for pupils from the canton of Ticino. The performance will be presented in May at the LAC Lugano cultural center.
