On the evening of February 13, 2025, during the third night of the 75th Festival di Sanremo, the prestigious stage of Teatro Ariston saw an extraordinary moment of emotional and social intensity with the performance of Teatro Patologico, founded by actor and director Dario D'Ambrosi. This unique theater company comprises actors with psychological and physical disabilities and stands as a beacon of innovation and inclusion within the international cultural panorama.
The performance featured actors with severe disabilities who acted, sang, and shared their personal stories, providing the audience with a touching and authentic experience. This moment underscored the importance of theater therapy as a tool for expression and integration for people with disabilities. D'Ambrosi, a pioneer in this field, stated before taking to the stage, "We will make the revolution. A company of severely autistic, schizophrenic, and mentally ill individuals has never been seen at the Ariston, and Carlo Conti had the courage to invite us; I will be forever grateful to him."
Theater Patologico is not just any theater company; it is a therapeutic pathway through art, helping individuals with psychological disabilities socialize, express themselves, and improve their quality of life. Among its recent activities is the film "Io sono un po' matto e tu?" released in 2024, featuring acclaimed actors such as Claudio Santamaria and Edoardo Leo, alongside 30 young individuals with psychological and physical disabilities from Teatro Patologico. This film, presented at the Torino Film Festival, is set to head to Hollywood on February 26 for the "LA – Italia Festival," showcasing the groundbreaking work of Teatro Patologico on international screens.
Another significant milestone is expected this June when D'Ambrosi presents research to the United Nations to demonstrate the benefits of art therapy, highlighting its emotional and cerebral advantages. The goal is to officially recognize his innovative theater therapy method by the World Health Organization (WHO), thereby scientifically validating its effectiveness.
The presence of Teatro Patologico at Sanremo symbolizes significant strides toward greater awareness and acceptance of diversity. Through their artistry, these initiatives prove disability is not a limitation but a resource enriching society and culture. The evening's performance captivated the audience, offering a more inclusive and diverse perspective of the entertainment world and highlighting the transformative power of art and its ability to unite people, regardless of their differences.
Dario D'Ambrosi, the 66-year-old actor and founder of Teatro Patologico, showcases the program's effectiveness against mental illness, stating, "Theater Patologico has been developing for over thirty years, established in 1992 under my guidance. Tonight, the audience at Sanremo is poised to discover this revolutionary project capable of saving lives, as I claim." He continued to express gratitude for Carlo Conti's invitation, saying, "Helping many young people avoid suicide and supporting families living with disabilities is at the heart of our mission."
The process of theater therapy diverges significantly from traditional methods. "Our means is theater therapy, which is not about putting on stage four mentally ill people to perform recitation recitals; it's a psychiatric treatment consisting of exercises," explained D'Ambrosi. He illustrated this with the mirror exercise, which, though seemingly simple, provides individuals with visceral self-confrontation, unleashing intense emotions. Typically, parents of young people with disorders and psychiatrists aim to contain these feelings to keep individuals calm; D'Ambrosi challenges this norm by encouraging them to express their schizophrenia and violence to recognize their pain and learn to manage it for reintegration.
According to D'Ambrosi, those who witness a performance by Teatro Patologico often leave feeling enthusiastic, though the final message is sometimes delivered quite bluntly. He recounted, "We performed at the UN: everyone was applauding. When I took the floor and shared how the same kids who act here are kept restrained and tormented in their home countries, the silence was palpable. Some felt offended, yet I spoke the truth." Despite his challenging approach, praise from critics continues to grow, and more individuals are eager to assist.
While D'Ambrosi is proud of Teatro Patologico's reputation as one of the world's foremost psychiatric rehabilitation realities through theater, he lamented the difficulty of finding funding. "We are among the best at what we do but one of the worst at securing funds. I hope our performance at the Ariston will help us," he admitted, anticipating widespread media attention on their Sanremo performance.
The Teatro Patologico's performance signifies more than just entertainment; it carries the weight of awareness, hope, and the reshaping of societal attitudes toward mental illness. It aims to destigmatize disabilities and promote acceptance, demonstrating art's potential to heal, connect, and empower individuals and their communities.