Going Away (The Party): When participatory theatre becomes a generational outcry

Where do we leave from? Where are we going? Who will share the journey? And in the end, what is there to celebrate? These are the pressing questions for young people living in Venice – a city that has long wondered why so many of its youth leave and never return.

These questions took centre stage in Going Away (The Party), an immersive theatrical event presented as part of the Venice Carnival. Fifty students became the protagonists of a roaming performance through the city’s calli and campielli, from Campo San Trovaso to Campo Sant’Agnese, culminating in a DJ set by producer and songwriter Elasi.

The initiative marked the final event of a participatory theatre project promoted by Fondazione di Venezia, involving students from four Venetian high schools: Francesco Algarotti, Bruno Franchetti, Benedetti Tommaseo and Marco Polo.

Curated and directed by Venetian actor and director Alvise Camozzi, the project also drew on the expertise of writer and critic Leonardo Mello, producer and singer-songwriter Elasi, and urban artist Leone Solia. Each artist contributed their distinct creative perspective, enriching the project’s multidisciplinary approach.

At its core, the initiative was a fully participatory experience. Over the course of four months, students engaged in weekly workshops, collaborating on scriptwriting, directing, composing the soundtrack, designing sets and crafting the visual identity of the performance. The result was a deeply authentic example of “participatory theatre.”

Here, the artists positioned themselves not as instructors but as facilitators, guiding the students through their creative process. Their ability to actively listen and foster dialogue was crucial, enabling an environment where collective creativity could flourish. Scenarios were shaped through open collaboration, allowing students to take ownership of their artistic expression.

Guided by Alvise Camozzi’s vision, Going Away (The Party) became a tribute to youth, escape and love – woven into a sophisticated narrative that reimagined influences from Koltès, Camus, Heiner Müller, Shakespeare and Goldoni. This fusion of classical and contemporary references formed the foundation for a choral dramaturgy, giving voice to the thoughts, struggles and defiance of Venice’s younger generation.

Beyond its theatrical impact, the project touched upon a broader social reality: the ongoing depopulation of Venice and its fraught relationship with the mainland. Through performance, these themes were transformed into a singular, collective expression, echoing a question that resonates deeply with many young Venetians: Why stay in a city that no longer seems to care for its inhabitants?

This question reverberated powerfully during the final act, where an open and horizontal dialogue with the audience emerged. Going Away (The Party) invited spectators to engage with the realities of their city – Venice, a place increasingly stripped of its roots and identity due to the alarming exodus of its residents. The performance concluded with an unresolved yet crucial question: Can Venetians reclaim Venice?

The impact of the project extended beyond the stage. Monitoring results revealed that 92% of participating students reported improved communication skills. Over 65% felt encouraged to organise or take part in other cultural and artistic initiatives in Venice, while nearly half expressed a newfound commitment to engaging in theatre and the arts – regardless of location – thanks to their experience with Going Away (The Party).

This participatory performance was more than just an artistic endeavour – it was a generational outcry, a call to action and a celebration of collective expression in a city at a crossroads.