Chiara Bersani questions the place of bodies in society. Her intimate experience of disability has shaped both her perception and her artistic imagination, sharpening the uniqueness of her approach.
After creating many solo pieces, Italien dancer and choreographer Chiara Bersani expands her choreographic universe to include a chorus of non-normative bodies in her new piece, Michel – The Animals I Am.
Michel – The Animals I Am stems from the desire to transform exception into collectivity, an intimate gesture into a choral event.
The title refers to Michel Petrucciani (1962-1999), the acclaimed jazz pianist who shared the same genetic condition as Bersani. The reference does not aim to highlight his artistic genius but to summon a multitude – as if to say: look, there are many of us.
On stage, three Italian performers, collaborating with the choreographer for the first time, become ‘a chorus of many Michels, many brilliant people with non-normative bodies.’
‘Michel – The Animals I Am’ also points toward a broader collective effort: to create paths where artists with disabilities can grow, work, and be seen.
About
Chiara Bersani is an Italian performing artist and choreographer exploring the politics of the body and how the images we create interact with society’s narratives. Her research is based on the concept of the “Political Body” and the creation of practices aimed at training its presence and action. As an activist Chiara works on the accessibility of disabled artists in the performing arts scene. Her “manifesto” work of this research is Gentle Unicorn, a performance included in the Aerowaves circuit. Alongside her artistic practice and activist work, she is deeply engaged in curatorial work.
In 2018, she received the Ubu Award for Best Performer Under 35. In 2020, she co-founded Al.Di.Qua.Artists, a professional association for artists with disabilities. For her activism, she was nominated for the Black Carpet Awards and the Diversity Awards in 2023. Her first solo exhibition, Deserters, was presented at Kunsthaus Baselland in 2023. In 2025, she was awarded the ANTI Festival International Prize for Live Art in Kuopio, Finland. She is an associate artist at Triennale Milano Teatro for the 2025–2027 period.
Credits
Concept, choreography: Chiara Bersani
Performers: Anna Maria Pes, Annalisa Frascari, Carolina Ellero
Lighting design and technical care: Valeria Foti
Set Design: Valeria Foti and Richard Gargiulo
Sound: Francesco Rofi Pallone
Costumes: Giulia Merlini and Ettore Lombardi
Tour technician: Eva Luna Thomann
Theoretical support: Giulia Traversi
Movement consultant: Marta Ciappina
Vocal dramaturgy: Ernani Maletta, Francesca Dalla Monica
Assistant: Simone Chiacchiararelli
Promotion, curation, booking: Giulia Traversi
Accessibility, communication and press kit: Flavia Dalila D’Amico
Logistics, organization, production: Eleonora Cavallo
Administration: Chiara Fava
Production: Corpoceleste_C.C.00#
Co-production: Snaporazverein (Samaden, CH), Theaterfestival
Boulevard (S-Hertogenbosch, NL)
With the support of: Alkantara Festival and Centro de Arte Moderna, Gulbenkian (Lisbon, PRT) Ring Project by Festival Aperto / I Teatri Reggio Emilia Foundation –
Bolzano Danza / Haydn Foundation – FOG Triennale Milano Performing Arts – Torinodanza Festival / Teatro Stabile di Torino Foundation – Teatro Nazionale.
Associated Partner: Lavanderia a Vapore / Piemonte dal
Vivo Foundation (ITA)
