Research and Movement for Parkinson's

Starting in 2023, the year in which Bergamo and Brescia were named Italian Capitals of Culture, the Teatro Grande expanded its range of cultural activities aimed at increasing public accessibility to the theatre by hosting Dance Well – Research and Movement for Parkinson’s in its spaces. This project promotes contemporary dance practice, primarily — but not exclusively — targeting people living with Parkinson’s.

Conceived and promoted by the CSC – Centre for Contemporary Performance of the Municipality of Bassano del Grappa, Dance Well is currently the most significant artistic project in Italy dedicated to dance for people with Parkinson’s.

The practice consists of dance classes open to all — people with Parkinson’s, young and elderly participants, dancers and caregivers, students, and dance enthusiasts — providing a safe space to express creativity and beauty through movement. Classes are led by certified Dance Well Teachers, who are free to incorporate a variety of approaches, techniques, and styles in their artistic proposals, with a focus on developing expressive abilities through dance.

This project, hosted by the Fondazione del Teatro Grande as part of its programme, is not solely aimed at promoting contemporary dance. Dance Well also builds community, combats the isolation caused by illness, and fosters wellbeing and a sense of belonging within cultural spaces. The practice draws on art and beauty, with the surrounding environment serving as a source of creative inspiration for participants.

The programme incorporates a variety of rehabilitative strategies — including aerobic exercise, motor imagery, proprioceptive and sensory-motor training — capable of producing positive effects on symptoms and the quality of life of people with Parkinson’s. Dance Well therefore generates benefits not only through physical activity but also through the creativity it stimulates, while strengthening relationships with others, with the space, and with oneself.