Teatro Era festivals and series in Pontedera

Series versus season

At the Teatro Era the yearly programme is not just a list of standalone shows: it is organised into series (rassegne), themed cycles that group related productions over a few weeks or months.

A series may focus on a genre (drama, dance, music), on a specific audience (families, schools) or on a line of artistic research the theatre chooses to explore in a given season. Compared with a generic programme, following a series from start to finish lets you see a coherent path: directors, companies or stage languages that speak to each other show after show, rather than productions picked one by one with no common thread.

Drama, dance and music: the main series

The strands that recur most often in the Teatro Era's programme typically include:

• Drama series, the largest part of the season, ranging from reinterpreted classics to contemporary playwriting, often linked to the work of the resident company.
• Dance series, with companies bringing choreographic languages that can be experimental, aimed at audiences interested in less traditional theatre.
• Music or multidisciplinary series, less regular than the first two, appearing in some seasons with concerts, readings or shows that mix different art forms.
• Programmes for families and schools, with times and styles designed to bring younger audiences to the theatre.

Each series has its own calendar, often weekly or fortnightly, separate from the other cycles running at the same time: in the same week you may well find a drama night and a dance night, each with its own audience.

How to choose which series to follow

If you don't already know the programme, a good starting point is the genre closest to your taste: if you like narrative plays and traditional acting, the drama series will suit you best, while if you're curious about less conventional stage languages you can look at dance or the multidisciplinary shows. If you're only in Pontedera for one evening, choose by the available date rather than by the theme: every series includes shows that work perfectly well even if you see just one, without having followed the rest of the cycle.

Unlike single shows, series sometimes come with multi-date subscriptions: if you plan to come back to Pontedera several times in the same season, ask at the box office whether a pass or a discounted package is available for that particular cycle.

Most shows are performed in Italian. Dance and music are the most accessible options if you don't speak the language, while for drama it's worth reading a short synopsis before the performance.

Where to find the series calendar

Dates and titles change from season to season and are published gradually on the Teatro Era's official channels, often with a first announcement of the overall programme in autumn followed by updates during the year. For practical information on getting to the theatre, box office hours and tips for planning your evening, our general guide to the Teatro Era in Pontedera is the most complete reference.

Frequently asked questions