Public Scenario/Compagnia Zappalà Danza

What Public Scenario/Compagnia Zappalà Danza does

Scenario Pubblico / Compagnia Zappalà Danza is a cultural association (Associazione Culturale) and Italian National Center of Relevant Interest for Dance (CRID) headquartered in Catania, Sicily. Founded by Roberto Zappalà in 1990 as a dance company and expanded in 2002 with the establishment of Scenario Pubblico as Italy's first international choreographic center, the organization operates a multi-entity ecosystem comprising the main Compagnia Zappalà Danza, the youth company CZD2 (compagniazappalàdanza2, founded 2015), and the CRID-designated venue at Via Teatro Massimo. Its core proprietary asset is MoDem (Movimento Democratico), a 30+ year choreographic language developed by Zappalà with codified concepts (Esegesi, Lava Flowing, Lava Deep, Orizzontalità) that underpin the company's repertoire of 85+ full-evening productions.

The company serves three primary customer segments: contemporary dance audiences (via the 7-show ScenarioDanza annual season and FIC Festival), dancers seeking professional training (MoDem Atelier 2-year program and MoDem PRO 3-month intensive, with a built-in pathway to CZD2), and B2B festival/theater bookers internationally (via co-productions and touring). Recent flagship productions include L.A.V.A. (international co-production with ICK Dans Amsterdam and Emio Greco | Pieter C. Scholten, 2026), Brother to Brother – dall'Etna al Fuji (2025), and the Trilogia dell'estasi (2024 Maggio Musicale Fiorentino).

Revenue is primarily driven by Italian public institutional funding (MiC Ministry of Culture, Regione Siciliana, plus SIAE, Erasmus+, and Teatro Bellini contributions totaling €900K+ in 2025), supplemented by box office and season subscriptions (€10–€17 single tickets, €75–€105 season subscriptions), international co-production fees, training program tuitions, and Scenario Café operations. Marketing is multi-channel, anchored by editorial programming from Zappalà, a Vimeo/YouTube/Instagram presence, the Taobuk Gala 2026 award appearance (RaI 1 broadcast), and the annual FIC Festival / Catania Contemporanea as a flagship community engagement event.

Name

Public Scenario/Compagnia Zappalà Danza

Legal name

A. C. Scenario Pubblico Compagnia Zappalà Danza

Website

https://scenariopubblico.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Scenario Pubblico / Compagnia Zappalà Danza is a Italian CRID-designated dance center in Catania operating Roberto Zappalà's MoDem choreographic language, an 85+ production repertoire, professional training programs, and international festival touring across Europe and beyond.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Contemporary Dance / Performing Arts

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (711310)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Dance Theatre (Narrative/Experimental) (MPAGADAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Dance Festivals & Dance Series (MPAGADAJ), Dancers, Choreographers & Dance Troupes Booking (HSACAHAD), Dance Education (Ballet, Contemporary, Hip-Hop, Cultural Dance) (EDAMAAAH)

Keywords

• Contemporary dance productions
• Choreographic center services
• Dance training programs
• Performing arts festivals
• Choreographic residency programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Catania

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Public Institutional Funding: Primary revenue stream from Italian government bodies. MiC (Ministero della Cultura / Ministry of Culture) provides annual contributions under Art.25ter for CRID (Centri di Rilevante Interesse per la Danza), with amounts typically €200K–€500K+ per year. Regione Siciliana (Sicily Regional Government) provides annual contributions under LR 25/07, typically €60K–€80K per year. Other public grants include MiC international touring subsidies, PNRR energy efficiency funding, SIAE PERCHICREA cultural grants, Presidency of the Council of Ministers youth program grants, Camera di Commercio di Catania festival contributions, and Erasmus+ (Tanzraum Nord) project funding. Total public funding in 2025 exceeded €900,000.
2. Box Office & Season Subscriptions: Ticket sales for the ScenarioDanza programmed season (7 productions in 2026/27, plus out-of-subscription performances) at the Scenario Pubblico venue. Single tickets range from €10 (super-reduced) to €17 (full), with season subscriptions from €75 (5-show open card) to €105 (7-show full subscription). Additional revenue from MoDem Atelier and MoDem Pro training course fees.
3. International Co-productions: Revenue from co-production arrangements with international dance institutions (ICK Dans Amsterdam, Teatro Stabile di Catania, Fondazione Teatro Comunale di Modena, Julidans Festival, etc.), where the company receives production fees and touring commitments in exchange for creation and performance rights.
4. Scenario Cafè Catering: On-site café operation offering vegetarian/legume-based daily menus, coffee, and event catering. Open Mon–Fri 10:00–17:00, with lunch service and aperitivo/dinner on performance evenings and Fridays.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

Scenario Pubblico / Compagnia Zappalà Danza is a choreographic center and contemporary dance company that creates, produces, and tours original dance productions built on the proprietary MoDem (Movimento Democratico) movement language. It operates a programmed season (ScenarioDanza), an annual multi-disciplinary festival (FIC Festival / Catania Contemporanea), professional training programs (MoDem Atelier and MoDem PRO), a second company (CZD2) for emerging dancers, and the biennial ACASA choreographic residency, all anchored at the Scenario Pubblico venue in Catania.

Product overview

Public Scenario/Compagnia Zappalà Danza is a performing arts organization consisting of two distinct entities: Scenario Pubblico, a national dance center (CRID), and Compagnia Zappalà Danza, the main dance company founded in 1990. The organization offers a portfolio of dance productions including L.A.V.A. (international co-production with ICK Dans Amsterdam), Brother to Brother, and the Trilogia dell'estasi. Supporting these core productions are training programs MoDem Pro and MoDem Atelier, the CZD2 second company for emerging dancers, the ACASA biennial residency project, and the annual FIC Festival / Catania Contemporanea. The organization also operates venue spaces (Black Box, White Box, Grey Studio, etc.) and Scenario Cafè. The MoDem language (Movimento Democratico) is the proprietary choreographic methodology developed by Roberto Zappalà.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• L.A.V.A. International co-production dance performance of 75 minutes combining the choreographic universes of Emio Greco | Pieter C. Scholten and Roberto Zappalà, created and performed with ICK Dans Amsterdam and Compagnia Zappalà Danza dancers. Targeted at international festival and theater audiences.
• Brother to Brother – dall'Etna al Fuji New dance performance featuring 8 dancers and 3 Munedaiko musicians performing Taiko drums, exploring the symbolic relationship between Mount Etna and Mount Fuji volcanoes. Created for Italian and international touring.
• Trilogia dell'estasi Three-part choreography (L'APRÈS-MIDI D'UN FAUNE, BOLERO, LE SACRE DU PRINTEMPS) performed by 14 dancers, co-produced with Fondazione Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, MilanOltre Festival, and Teatro Massimo Bellini.
• ScenarioDanza Annual Season (HOPE 2026/27) Annual dance season subscription product featuring 7 productions (including CZD, CZD2, and guest companies) at the Scenario Pubblico venue, with subscription tiers from €75 (5-show Open Card) to €105 (7-show full subscription).
• MoDem Pro Training Program Professional 3-month intensive training program in the MoDem choreographic language for professional and semi-professional dancers aged 20+. Up to 6 participants per session are selected for CZD2. Two sessions per year (autumn and winter).
• MoDem Atelier Training Program Two-year professional dance training program (8 months/year, 22 hours/week, max 25 participants) for aspiring young dancers aged 18+, covering classical dance, contemporary technique, MoDem language, video & dance, history, and choreographic laboratories.
• ACASA Choreographic Residency Biennial choreographic residency program for independent choreographers aged 30+, providing creative residency (2026) followed by technical residency (2027) culminating in a FIC Festival presentation. Workspace, technical support, and dramaturgical feedback provided.
• FIC Festival / Catania Contemporanea Annual contemporary arts festival featuring visual arts, dance, theater, music, and intellectual meetings curated by Scenario Pubblico with partner institutions across multiple Catania venues (7th edition in 2026).
• CZD2 (compagniazappalàdanza2) Performances Second company for emerging dancers, selected from MoDem PRO graduates, focused on preserving the 85+ repertoire and developing new choreographic authorship. Performs and tours independently.
• Scenario Cafè On-site café offering vegetarian and legume-based daily menus, coffee, and event catering. Open Mon-Fri 10:00-17:00 with lunch service and aperitivo/dinner on performance evenings and Fridays. Supports the organization's productions and venue activities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35+ years of continuous artistic production with 85+ full-evening choreographic works
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship and minor.

• Meervaart Theater AmsterdamcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026Meervaart Theater Amsterdam is a co-production partner and host venue for L.A.V.A. The world premiere of L.A.V.A. took place at Meervaart Theater on 3 and 5 July 2026 as part of the Julidans Festival. Meervaart is a leading contemporary performing arts venue in Amsterdam.
• Julidans FestivalflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026Julidans Festival (Amsterdam) is one of the most important contemporary dance festivals in Europe. It hosted the world premiere of L.A.V.A. (3–5 July 2026, Meervaart Theater) and is a key platform for presenting Zappalà's work to an international dance audience.
• Teatro Grande Pompei / Pompeii Theatrum MundicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026Teatro Grande degli Scavi di Pompei hosted the site-specific preview of L.A.V.A. on 26–27 June 2026 as part of the Pompeii Theatrum Mundi program. This ancient site provides a unique performance context aligning with the volcanic themes of L.A.V.A.
• MiC – Ministero della CulturaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026The Italian Ministry of Culture provides annual CRID (Centro di Rilevante Interesse Nazionale per la Danza) funding to Scenario Pubblico, averaging €500K+ per year. MiC also provides ad hoc grants for international touring, PNRR energy efficiency projects, and youth programs ('I linguaggi del corpo'). This is the primary public funding relationship sustaining the company's operations.
• Regione Siciliana – Assessorato del Turismo, Sport e dello SpettacoloflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026The Sicily Regional Government is a primary institutional funder, providing annual contributions under LR 25/07 (typically €60K–€80K+ per year) for centers of production and relevant interest. It also funds specific projects, touring, and cultural initiatives, and provides patronage for productions like Brother to Brother.
• INGV – Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e VulcanologiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2026INGV provides scientific patronage for L.A.V.A. and Brother to Brother, both of which draw on volcanic themes (the title L.A.V.A. evokes lava; Brother to Brother juxtaposes Mount Etna and Mount Fuji). INGV's involvement lends scientific authenticity to the works' exploration of geological and symbolic forces.
• Fondazione OELLE & Mediterraneo Antico ETScoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Fondazione OELLE and Mediterraneo Antico ETS serve as curators for the Visual Arts section of the FIC Festival / Catania Contemporanea 2026 (7th edition). They contribute to the festival's interdisciplinary character alongside Scenario Pubblico's dance programming.
• DISUM – University of CataniaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026DISUM (Department of Humanities) at the University of Catania collaborates on the 'Incontri' (Meetings) section of the FIC Festival / Catania Contemporanea, contributing academic and intellectual programming alongside the artistic performances.
• Teatro Stabile di Catania (Festival Partner)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2026Teatro Stabile di Catania is a theater section partner in the FIC Festival / Catania Contemporanea 2026, contributing theatrical programming alongside Scenario Pubblico's dance events and other disciplinary sections.
• Fondazione Teatro Comunale di ModenacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2025Fondazione Teatro Comunale di Modena is a co-producer of 'Brother to Brother – dall'Etna al Fuji' (absolute premiere, 31 October 2025, Teatro Comunale di Modena) and is listed as a partner on the production credits page. The Modena theater provides institutional support, performance venue, and production resources for Zappalà's creations.
• Visavì Gorizia Dance FestivalminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 October 2025Visavì Gorizia Dance Festival hosted the anteprima (preview) of Brother to Brother at the Teatro Nazionale Sloveno in Nova Gorica on 17 October 2025, as part of the festival's international programming.
• Teatro Stabile di CataniacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 October 2025Teatro Stabile di Catania is a co-producer of L.A.V.A. and hosts the Italian premiere (23 October – 1 November 2026, Teatro Verga) within its Materia Viva season. It is also the main institutional theater partner in Catania with an active 'Be Resident' protocol for the 2023–2025 triennium, positioning Scenario Pubblico as a resident company.
• ICK Dans AmsterdamflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025ICK Dans Amsterdam (Netherlands) is the primary international co-production partner for the L.A.V.A. creation, working jointly with Emio Greco | Pieter C. Scholten and Roberto Zappalà. Dancers from ICK Dans Amsterdam performed alongside Compagnia Zappalà Danza in the world premiere at Meervaart Theater Amsterdam (Julidans Festival, July 2026) and the Dutch national tour. ICK is a leading Dutch contemporary dance company and a key strategic partner for international artistic exchange.
• Fonds Podiumkunsten & Amsterdams Fonds voor de KunstencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025The Dutch performing arts fund (Fonds Podiumkunsten) and Amsterdam arts fund (Amsterdams Fonds voor de Kunsten) provide funding support for the L.A.V.A. international coproduction, enabling the Netherlands-based creative development and touring.
• AMAT & Civitanova Danza / Marche TeatrocoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2025AMAT (Marche Theater Association) and Civitanova Danza Festival co-produce 'Brother to Brother – dall'Etna al Fuji' and hosted the anteprima (preview) at Teatro Rossini in Civitanova Marche (12 July 2025). Civitanova Danza is one of Italy's leading contemporary dance festivals.
• Fuori Programma Festival (Roma)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 3 July 2025Fuori Programma Festival in Rome hosted the site/specific presentation of Brother to Brother at Teatro India on 3 July 2025 (Fuori Programma Festival). The festival focuses on emerging and experimental contemporary performance.
• Teatro di Napoli – Teatro NazionalecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 26 June 2025Teatro di Napoli – Teatro Nazionale is listed as a co-production collaborator for L.A.V.A., providing institutional and production support for the creation and presentation of the work in Naples.
• Tanzraum Nord / Erasmus+ (IncluDancE Project)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Tanzraum Nord manages the Erasmus+ IncluDancE project in partnership with Scenario Pubblico. The project received multiple Erasmus+ advance payments totaling €22,500 in 2025 and supports inclusion in dance through international collaboration.
• Fondazione Teatro del Maggio Musicale FiorentinoflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Fondazione Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino co-produced the 'Trilogia dell'Estasi' (Après-midi d'un faune | Boléro | Le Sacre du Printemps) with Compagnia Zappalà Danza in 2024, alongside MilanOltre Festival and Teatro Massimo Bellini. This is a flagship coproduction with one of Italy's major opera houses.
• Bolzano Danza / Tanz BozenminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Bolzano Danza / Tanz Bozen co-produced 'Liederduett' (2018) with Compagnia Zappalà Danza. The festival is a leading South Tyrol contemporary dance event.
• Fondazione Luzzati / Teatro della Tosse (Genova)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Fondazione Luzzati / Teatro della Tosse in Genoa co-produced 'Cultus' with Compagnia Zappalà Danza. The theater is a significant cultural institution in Genoa.
• Teatro Regio di TorinominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Teatro Regio di Torino commissioned 'La Giara' (2019) from Roberto Zappalà, a site-specific work created for the Turin opera house.
• MilanOltre FestivalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024MilanOltre Festival co-produced the 'Trilogia dell'Estasi' (2024) with Compagnia Zappalà Danza, Fondazione Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino, and Teatro Massimo Bellini. MilanOltre is a major Italian contemporary dance festival.
• Teatro Massimo Bellini (Catania)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Teatro Massimo Bellini is an institutional partner through the 'Be Resident' protocol (triennium 2023–2025) with Scenario Pubblico and co-producer of the Trilogia dell'Estasi. It is Sicily's premier opera house and a key reference institution for dance in Catania.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Cullberg Ballet: Swedish national contemporary dance company based in Stockholm with significant public funding, international touring, and a venue (Dansens Hus). Compares on scale, founder/choreographer-driven artistic identity, and European festival presence.
• ICK Dans Amsterdam: Amsterdam-based contemporary dance company led by Emio Greco | Pieter C. Scholten. Active co-production partner with Compagnia Zappalà Danza on L.A.V.A., with similar scale, public funding, and venue-linked operations. Both are founder-led companies with proprietary choreographic languages.
• La Manufacture: Swiss higher-education dance school and performance venue in Lausanne with integrated professional training and company production. Closely parallels Scenario Pubblico's atelier+venue+company structure with strong public funding.
• Balletto di Roma: Italian contemporary dance company with national significance, structured training programs, and touring circuit comparable to Scenario Pubblico. Like CZD, it relies on a mix of MiC funding and ticketed performances and operates an in-house production center.
• Batsheva Dance Company: Israeli contemporary dance company renowned for Gaga, a proprietary movement methodology by Ohad Naharin with comprehensive training programs (Batsheva Ensemble, Gaga training), and a globally touring repertoire. Closest structural analog to MoDem + CZD2 ecosystem.
• Wayne McGregor Company: UK-based contemporary dance company led by a single choreographer with a distinct movement language and integrated research programs. Comparable founder/choreographer-led model with international co-productions and venue-aligned programming (Studio Wayne McGregor, Sadler's Wells).

Others

• Tanz im August (Berliner Festspiele): Premier German contemporary dance festival held annually in Berlin, programming international headliners. Functions as an influential comparator and indirect competitor for international touring slots and audience reach.
• Romaeuropa Festival: Major Italian contemporary arts festival combining dance, theater, music, and digital arts. Not a direct competitor but an adjacent ecosystem participant and partner/peer for booking contemporary Italian dance programming nationally.

Broad incumbents

• Tanztheater Wuppertal Pina Bausch: Historic German dance-theater company operating from its own Wuppertal venue with substantial public funding and a vast transmissible repertoire. Comparable as a venue-anchored, publicly funded contemporary dance organization with global touring, though at a notably larger scale.
• Fondazione Nazionale della Danza / Aterballetto: Italy's largest stable contemporary ballet company based in Reggio Emilia, with significant MiC backing and extensive national/international touring. Larger scale and broader repertoire make it a broad incumbent in the same Italian contemporary dance category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/scenariopubblicoczd
• Facebookfacebook.com/scenariopubblico
• Instagraminstagram.com/scenariopubblico

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Public Scenario/Compagnia Zappalà Danza