Little Women grow up

“Piccole donne crescono” is an experimental research project which, through inclusive theatrical experience, investigates eating disorders.

Anorexia is often manifested during adolescence, a phase of life in which one becomes preoccupied about one’s body changing, sexuality and generational conflict. Unable to recognize their own identity, anorexic girls are unable to conclude their own evolution. Starting from these precepts, the workshop uses the stories of the four characters of the novel “Little Women” to involve the participants in “interpreting and rediscovering themselves and their bodies.”

The project foresees the realization of a theatrical workshop composed of 25 meetings, each 3 hours long.

Work begins by investigating the five themes central to the novel: sisterhood, improvement of self, attention to work, the importance of being independent, and dreams and expectations in relation to the future.

The participants are guided to improvise by choosing a character in the novel and using images, videos, photographs and music to build that character’s identikit.

Starting with a physical as opposed to mental approach, beginning with small physical games experienced by the body, leaving behind the mechanism of rationalization by proposing a language that is non-verbal, together the participants slowly build a theatrical production that is presented to the public at the end of the laboratory (8 April 2023) at the Teatro Biblioteca Quarticciolo and, on 10 September 2023, within the Short Theater 2023 festival.