Dear Fondazione Irma Romagnoli Onlus,

Following our discussions, we would like to propose that you fund the project outlined below.

Our company is therefore submitting this proposal as the Applicant:
TEATRO DI CAMELOT Onlus,
Via Le Serre 45 – 40048 S. Benedetto V.S. BO – VAT and tax identification number 03528101201. President and Legal Representative: Alberto Canepa.
The theater company consists of actors and trainers with and without disabilities. Its mission is to change how the public sees people with disabilities: from recipients of care to active contributors to culture.

For around 18 years, it has been engaged in:
producing and staging theatrical performances;
producing and distributing videos;
creating and organizing educational and training opportunities, particularly for people with disabilities who may be interested in participating in various ways, in both public and private settings.

Project Title

Let’s Make Space!

A project bringing together the theatrical experience of Teatro di Camelot Onlus, the aims of Fondazione Irma Romagnoli, and the Children’s Focusing approach.

“Making space” has many meanings. Experience tells us that the first space for connection must be created between the people involved: Camelot, Fondazione Irma Romagnoli, and the project participants. The project itself aims to allow a gentle exploration of each person and their communication needs, learning to make space for new forms of expression by listening to and respecting each individual’s characteristics.

Project Beneficiaries

Children and adolescents aged approximately 9 or 10 to 18 with disabilities or mild-to-moderate motor, cognitive, and behavioral difficulties. They can benefit most from the project when accompanied by an adult—a parent, relative, volunteer, or educator—who can offer genuine support by sharing the experience. The program is intended to be educational for adults and children alike. It is not about learning exercises or a theatrical role, but about exploring different forms of expression and a way of relating to others that can also be used in other areas of life. Particular individual circumstances may also be considered in agreement with Fondazione Irma Romagnoli. Around 8–10 people will participate in total, including 4–6 people with disabilities and 4–5 adults.

Project Description

We intend to explore the potential of theatrical expression in a way specifically tailored to individual children and adolescents with disabilities.
The various forms of theatrical expression have long proved useful in many different settings: rehabilitation, self-expression, communication with others in one’s own environment, and therefore integration and inclusion in everyday contexts such as the classroom.
We are interested in exploring the extent to which each participant can draw on theatrical expression in their own circumstances, and the enjoyment they derive from it.
We are also interested in combining established theatrical methods with the body-based approach to listening and relating offered by Focusing for children and adolescents.

“Children’s Focusing is a simple but truly valuable tool that parents, teachers, and educators can use to connect with children empathetically and authentically. It helps children recognize and accept what is happening inside them and express it in an atmosphere of respect and acceptance. While Focusing helps adults reconnect with the ‘wisdom of the body,’ it helps children avoid losing that connection in the first place. Children naturally know how to listen to their bodies and readily express what is happening in their tummy or their heart. (…)”

Program Structure / Project Timeline and Implementation

Approximately ten sessions are planned: five 90-minute exploratory workshops and four or five 120-minute sessions to create a video, all taking place over three or four months. We expect to need a few weeks after project approval to form the group, find a suitable venue, which has yet to be determined, and establish a detailed schedule.
The sessions will be led by two experienced actresses and trainers and a theater and video director from Teatro di Camelot, together with a consultant specializing in Children’s Focusing.
We have already approached several organizations in the province of Bologna, without naming the parties involved at this stage, about collaborating by identifying people for whom the project could be useful and meaningful. If the project is approved, we will provide details of these contacts.

Project Aims

To enable a group of children and adolescents facing difficulties to practice forms of theatrical expression and use them as tools for rehabilitation, self-expression, communication with others, and integration and inclusion in everyday settings such as the classroom. To experience, through self-awareness and enjoyment, the body-based approach to listening and relating offered by Focusing for children and adolescents, which we feel is closely aligned with our theatrical approach.

Project Objectives

At this stage, we cannot set a final live performance as an objective, since we do not yet know whether what emerges will be suitable for presentation to an audience.
We do, however, aim to create a video that goes beyond documentation, has artistic value in its own right, and can be shown publicly to share the experience.

Expected Outcomes and Benefits

The first outcome is inclusion, arising from the work that different people can develop together with enjoyment, mutual enrichment, and a sense of discovery.
The tangible outcome will be documentation, including a final report, of an innovative experience combining theater and Focusing. This can provide a useful foundation for further research in both education and theater.
The benefits will depend on our ability to tailor the work to each individual, so that what they discover—art and freedom—can become a valuable part of everyday life.

Project Costs

Costs have been estimated for the project as a whole, as described above, rather than using a standard hourly rate. A budget of €1,500 is considered necessary. Since any additional costs for the venue or other people involved have not yet been determined, we estimate that a further €500.00 may be needed, bringing the overall total to €2,000, exempt from VAT as a collaboration between nonprofit organizations.

We look forward to your comments, thank you for your consideration, and hope to begin a fruitful collaboration.
Kind regards,

Alberto Canepa
President

Elisa Caldironi
Project Coordinator