Arts Lab 7.0: Annalisa Schettino | Month III

This past month has been full of challenges and really put us, as a group, to the test. We started rehearsing almost daily for our upcoming play, and to my pleasant surprise, I was included as an actress. I had a lot of fun experiencing the rehearsals from this new perspective. I have always wanted to study acting, but I kept procrastinating, so I’m really glad I had the chance to explore this unknown side of myself.

That said, I can’t deny that it wasn’t always easy. The topic was very harsh, even though we approached the theme of genocide in a universal way. Some scenes, especially those depicting suffering and isolation caused by arrogance and greed, were emotionally heavy. Exposing my vulnerabilities on stage was uncomfortable at times and affected me deeply.

Alongside acting, it was extremely rewarding to see my sketches and visual ideas gradually take shape on stage thanks to the support of my colleagues. I truly enjoyed working on the scenography. I’ve always been fascinated by the world of theatre, and getting a glimpse of what it means to work in a professional context was a very fulfilling experience for me.

On Thursday, we had the opportunity to visit the schools we would work with the following week, and in the afternoon we held an online intercultural meeting with art school students. I must admit that intercultural presentations are not my favorite type of activity, and the online format didn’t help make it more engaging, but I still appreciated the chance to share one of my favorite Italian artists.

Over the weekend, I spent two days in Iași. I really enjoyed spending quality time with my team outside of work, and I feel very grateful for the warm and meaningful memories we are building together.

The following week was one of the most intense since the beginning of the project. In addition to rehearsals, I started the residency with Aya. During that week, I was also responsible for keeping the fire going, which added to the stress. Despite this, I am completely satisfied with how the second residency went. I learned what I could improve after the first one, and my colleague helped greatly in bringing our vision to life.

The teenagers with special needs at Trinitas School were very receptive. Despite the complexity and sensitivity of the topic, they listened carefully and produced a large number of drawings, which helped us develop the mural design. We also introduced them to more complex art theories, such as shadow and color theory, which they were able to apply in a satisfying way. Seeing how deeply they engaged with the process was incredibly rewarding.

During the last two days, we worked together to paint the mural on the wall. The teachers were satisfied with how well we managed to include the students in the realization of the artwork, especially considering the limited time we had. The teenagers felt proud to be part of a larger project. One student shared that the most important lesson they took from the JEMOM tragedy was the importance of unity despite differences, which was deeply moving.

After the residency ended, we returned to fully focus on the play. The days leading up to the exhibition were very tense. Despite some conflicts arising from creative differences, we stayed united for the sake of the performance. Personally, I struggled with neglecting my diet and eating too much junk food during this stressful period.

I am very proud of how the final scenography turned out. I built and painted fake windows, working late into the night. I love the final result and how much it contributed to the atmosphere on stage. The lighting and projections were also amazing. I truly appreciated how Mohamed and Aya translated my concepts and sketches into something tangible.

Two days before the exhibition, we went to an underground party in Iași. It helped us release some tension, and having fun together allowed us to recharge before the big day.

When the performance day arrived, we all felt somewhat prepared, but I was still very nervous. It was my first time performing in front of an audience. To my surprise, my friend Alexandra, whom I had met at a café in Iași the previous month, came all the way from Suceava to support us and even brought roses. This gesture made a huge difference and made us feel like we were part of a truly professional performance.

The audience was both amazed and shocked. I believe the disturbing imagery we wanted to convey truly reached them. Our efforts paid off. Considering the budget, resources, and time we had, we did an amazing job. I think it’s important to focus on what we achieved rather than on what could have been done with more time.

The days following the exhibition were filled with mixed emotions. On one hand, we felt relieved; on the other, tensions that had been set aside during rehearsals resurfaced, creating some unpleasant moments within the house. Still, I believe we managed to overcome them as best as we could. The sense of belonging within this project feels stronger than our personal disagreements.

I used the three free days that followed to visit Suceava and spend time with Alex. It was our first trip outside Târgu Frumos and Iași since Constanța. I was pleasantly surprised by the city. The fortress and the path leading to it were very evocative. Its history fascinated me, especially the fact that Suceava was once a crossroads for many historical events, figures, and cultures, an aspect that resonated deeply with our own experience here.

As Christmas approaches, the accumulated tiredness has started to take its toll. Motivation is not at its peak, and I think we all need a break, even though we are deeply involved in preparing for the next topic of the MARr project. I believe something very interesting can come out of it.

We are almost halfway through the project, and it still amazes me how quickly time has passed. The richness of experiences makes these three months feel like an entire year. I struggle to find words to express how much this experience is helping me grow, both as an artist and as a human being.

This monthly report was written by Annalisa Schettino, our Italian volunteer taking part in a seven-month Arts Lab 7.0 mobility, co-funded by the European Union under the European Solidarity Corps.