Emilia Romagna Teatro Fondazione (ERT) is one of Italy’s most prominent public theatre institutions, recognized as one of the six ItalianNational Theatres by the Ministry of Culture in 2015. With a network of venues across the Emilia-Romagna Region — including Modena, Bologna, Cesena, Castelfranco Emilia and Vignola — ERT operates as both a production center and a dynamic space for artistic research, cultural dialogue, and international collaboration.

ERT’s programming ranges from the creation of new works by leading contemporary artists to the reinterpretation of the great classics, fostering encounters between theatre, dance, visual arts, and new media. The foundation is committed to supporting authors, directors, and performers in the development of original languages and visions, offering residencies, co-productions, and platforms for experimentation.

In addition to producing, co-producing and programming shows, ERT has always been actively involved in promoting and disseminating the performing arts through cultural and educational projects aimed at the general public, with a particular focus on the younger generations. These initiatives are carried out in synergy with a wide network of local, regional and national partners, schools of all levels, institutions and private entities.

ERT’s commitment to artists is also expressed in projects aimed at supporting research and promoting creativity in the region, while encouraging exchange with national and international artistic communities. In this context, the activities of the Iolanda Gazzerro Theatre School play a central role, offering training courses and practical tools to support and integrate young professionals into the world of theatre.

Included among the Italian National Theatres since 2015, ERT is a permanent theatre production institution. With a range of more than 250 produced shows, it supports theatre artists while developing a quest for new forms and methods to meet a broader range of audience and deliver uncommon cultural stimulation.

Among the directors ERT has collaborated and is still collaborating with are: Giancarlo Cobelli, Pippo Delbono, Cesare Lievi, Thierry Salmon, Federico Tiezzi, Enrique Vargas, Bob Wilson, Eimuntas Nekrošius, Massimo Castri, Alvis Hermanis, Antonio Latella, Kostantin Bogomolov, Pascal Rambert, Theodoros Terzopoulos, Matthew Lenton. Many productions are realised in coproduction with numerous national and international organisations.

ERT productions are presented in the most prestigious theatres and festivals in Italy and worldwide: Amsterdam, Avignon, Barcelona, Berlin, Bruxelles, Caracas, Leuven, Madrid, Montreal, Moscow, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Porto Alegre, Sao Paulo, Zurich, Bogotà, Toronto, Paris, to name just a few.

One of the main activities of Emilia Romagna Teatro Fondazione is in the field of theatre education. ERT manages the Scuola di Teatro Iolanda Gazzerro for young artists, and a one-year specialization course open to candidates having a theatre school diploma or any professional theatre experience.