From Italy to Dublin — A journey of artistic and personal discovery through Theatre in Palm

Theatre in Palm was a breath of fresh air for me. After going through such experiences, I say to myself, “You had a good idea,” and I reaffirm the belief that in order to grow, evolve, and feel good, we need to move and stir something inside and around us. Getting to know new people, hearing how and what they talk about, discovering their ideas, and learning about their lives—this alone becomes already a precious drawer where we store memories, but also advice that we can always return to.

Honestly, I wish the project could have lasted more, both in Reggio Emilia, to work more closely as a group, and in Dublin, to enjoy the land just a bit longer. It was my first time working so closely with artists from other countries—it was complex, but in the end, simple, genuine, beautiful, and spontaneous. During those days, something was created that is still contained in the essence of that experience. We truly put ourselves out there, all of us. There was nothing else to do but fully live those Dublin days—each of us brought our own experiences, our true selves, and together we created a unique approach that led to what I would call a “symbolic performance”—a testimony of our artistic stay. Definitely, we wish it could have lasted longer, and still, from our side, there would be a desire to go further. Who knows, there might be a continuation…

These experiences are essential and healthy for understanding that sometimes, not just occasionally, we need to shake things up and challenge ourselves by doing something we’ve never done before. I’ve discovered that I like it this way.

My name is Benedetta Berti, and I’m an actress, singer-songwriter, and clown. I trained by doing and testing myself across Italy and abroad. I attended the Accademia Nico Pepe in Udine, but the real turning point came later, when I looked inward and found myself in the things I do and the experiences happening around me.

During those days, I felt like a citizen—if not of the world, at least of Europe—and it’s a feeling I carry with me and release every time I work, create, and meet with other actors. It’s a similar feeling to when I bring something personal to the stage, and right now, I’m working on both a company project and a personal one about my clown. I might be a bit romantic, but by adding my creations to the multitude of existing ones, I feel part of something greater. I feel the expression “Theatre in Palm” inside me. If I were to translate it, I’d say it means “in the palm of your hand.”

Article by Benedetta Berti