Everybody knows him: Dimitri – the world-famous clown. In 1971 no permanent theatre existed in the Ticino. For Dimitri and his wife Gunda this was a challenge and they decided to establish their own theatre in the centre of the village of Verscio. The “Teatro Dimitri” became the meeting-place where Clown Dimitri and his fellow artists, actors, musicians, dancers, soap bubble blowers, jugglers, illusionists and animal tamers were able to present their shows.

A buvette was attached to the theatre, and whether you just called in for a drink or two or maybe for a chat with an artist after his show, it became a stock exchange of ideas for patrons and artists alike.

However, the first auditorium offered 100 seats only. Therefore, a permanent lack of space and financial difficulties were the order of the day. Today the much-loved theatre offers a rich program for everyone – the young and elder people.

In 1975 Dimitri opened the “Scuola Teatro Dimitri”, a theatre school where the teaching is primarily based on the study of movement, of the body and his expression possibilities.

Since its opening pantomime, acrobatics, dance and theatrical improvisation have been chosen as principal subjects. Later on, study of rhythm as well as breathing and voice training were added. Workshops on various forms of expression such as Commedia dell’Arte, clowning and special dance forms complete the curriculum.

The “Scuola Teatro Dimitri” offers a complete basic training in the field of theatrical expression. It teaches various traditional and new techniques and aims to develop the individual talents of each student in a creative way in relation to his personality.

Source: http://www.teatrodimitri.ch

Posted By: Peter Rabitz