Tag: Playwrights retreat Pontelandolfo

Chi è Gabriele Palladino?

by midgeguerrera, posted in Any Day in Pontelandolfo, Nonna's Trips & Events

Who is Gabriele Palladino? Author, Actor, Musician, Journalist, Director, Producer, Father, Administrator… Did you ever meet someone and think – damn – he really is an artistic whirling dervish! The other day at Bar Elimar, he raced toward me and tossed his latest artistic work at me. I caught it – the book could have winged Jack’s wine and I’d been in big trouble. It was a collection of poems, Collana di Poesia: Le Loci di Via Margutta. I had no idea he was a poet too.

That night I sipped an adult beverage and read work that was incredibly relatable. Moments in time, love, Covid, horrors of war – all themes we have read before but in his short works the themes sang straight through to our souls.

But just who is this interesting man? The first time I met Gabrielle, he was playing the guitar and singing in a restaurant. The next time, he was pitching his book on the ancient dialect of Pontelandolfo, R sc’pird’ rr vallon’ Sc’picciarégl’ – Parlavam’ accussì – ll dialetto di Pontelandolfo. Is that Gabarile up on the stage as MC/ Host of the folkloric dance festival? Yup it was and it has been for every season since. I went to the library to find out more about the town’s most famous sport – ruzzola – cheese rolling. Of course I found a lovely book, Pontelandolfo – Le tradizioni: La Ruzzola del Formaggio, written by none other than – you guessed it – Gabrielle Palladino.

Crimes, I’ve unearthed one of Pontelandolfo’s true creative spirts. I found out he was a journalist when a story about our very first group of culinary adventurers visiting Pontelandolfo ran in the daily paper. The article was great and touted Cooking in the Kitchens of Pontelandolfo written by – non other than… Gabriele – did I ever say thank you???? I’ve read his stories in both regional dailies and local weekly/monthlies.

 Dramma Sacro Santa Giocandina, the Sacred Drama of Santa Giocondina, has been performed in the Sannio Hills since 1872. I am betting that the version directed by Gabriele ranks as one of the best. Watching him direct is ethereal. He traverses the space and becomes one with his performers. Gabriele is a director, I wished I could have worked with. The event is produced every four years. Keep your eyes peeled for the next cycle.

Last week I went to see a play written by my friend Michele Albini. Check out the cast list on the poster –

See a familiar name? Gabriele was spot on throughout the work. Damn, this guy really is a renaissance man.

I just ran out to look at my book case to see how many of Gabriele’s books I had – not enough. Some of his other works include: Miti, leggende, superstizioni, credenze, tradizioni – magiche fantasie popolari, 13 settembre 1943 Il bombardamento di Petrillo – Albo dei Caduti della Prima Guerra Mondiale, Breve triste storia occultata del Risorgimento Italiano ovvero R sc’pird’ rr vallón’ Sc’picciarégl’, Storie da ricordare – In memoria del Commissario di P.S. Celestino Zappone nel cinquantenario della sua morte, and Pontelandolfo: “O brigante o emigrante – Il grande esodo – I fratelli d’oltreoceano.”

There is a lot of history, sadness and humor in that list. I will admit, the village dialect is a whole other language and I haven’t been able to make a dent in understanding it. What is amazing is how many people around the world do understand the dialect and have his books. From Argentina, Canada, Australia and the United States, people who grew up with families that emigrated from Pontelandolfo, proudly immerse themselves in the dialect. It is on my bucket list to learn.

And have I mentioned awards? This man – if he were British – would be knighted. He he weren’t so nice and supportive of all things Pontelandolfo, I’d be jealous. Check out this awards list –

  • Agosto 1983    XXI Settimana Folk Pontelandolfo
    • Premio poesia in vernacolo
    • 1° classificato con la poesia “Vécchjœ miœ”.
  • 23 Maggio 1999
    • Diploma di merito Premio Internazionale di Poesia “Principe Landolfo” 2° Edizione
    • Diploma di merito e targa “Meridiano Sud” con la motivazione: “per la sua abilità nel campo musicale e per la poliedrica capacità creativa”
  • 14 settembre 2003
    • Premio Letterario Francesco Flora 2003
    • Attestato di Benemerenza con l’opera bibliografica “Il Brigante Patriota Donato Palladino” – Registrato all’albo della II edizione sez. III n. 35
  • Agosto 2011
    • 1° Concorso Internazionale di Poesia e Teatro “Il canto dei poeti celebra la Città Martire”
    • 1° classificato sezione vernacolo con la poesia “O br’and’ o emigrand’”.

There is something in the Pontelandolfo air, water and life that fosters creativity. Gabriele is not the only writer whom I have met here. You will be reading about others soon. I think it was meeting and appreciating the circle of contemporary writers living here that was the catalyst for me working with Write Where You Are to produce a playwright’s retreat in Pontelandolfo.

Actually, you can meet Gabriele and other Pontelandolfo creative types this October. Due to an illness in a participant’s family there are two open spots. This google slide show tells the story. You can always email me at info@nonnasmulberrytree.com for more information.

Let your creative juices fly wherever you are. For me it is Pontelandolfo.

Ci vediamo, Midge.

Paperback walking tour of historic Pontelandolfo is waiting for you! Available at Amazon.

Playwrights Come to Pontelandolfo

by midgeguerrera, posted in Any Day in Pontelandolfo

Write Where You Are, a non profit committed to providing playwrights with a variety of opportunities, is sponsoring its first Playwright’s Retreat! Administrative Director, Jonathan Samarro, has been working with a group of Pontelandolfese – gulp, that includes me – on creating the perfect October 14th to the 23rd, 2025 experience.

Write Where You Are 2024: Pontelandolfo offers playwrights the space, time, and community needed to move forward in their work.  The Italian landscape and village life are a great catalyst for creativity.  In addition to providing time for ones own daily writing, they’ll offer activities to inspire you, from master classes in playwriting, to a stimulating array of cultural events and opportunities to socialize with fellow writers as well as local people.   This is your time to nurture your work.

Write Where You Are – Pontelandolfo participants will share large double rooms in La Locanda della Presuntuosa, a large villa on acres of land.

Pontelandolfo’s cobblestone streets take you to a castle tower, cafés, ancient Roman churches and miniature works of art hidden within an area steeped in history and culture where the main plaza is still the center of town life and lore.

The retreat is only open to eight people. ONE SPOT REMAINS! Playwrights who participate in other Write Where You Are experiences signed up quickly. Interested in that one last spot? Contact Jonathan for more information – jonathanjsamarro@gmail.com.

INCLUDED HIGHLIGHTS: October 14 – 23, 2024

  • Transportation from the Benevento Train Station to Pontelandolfo
  • 10 nights a villa near the historic center of Pontelandolfo. 
  • Most meals are included, either out or cooked by our host/cook. Vegetarians can be accommodated.
  • Arrival Day Bar Crawl will help you know the town and for them to meet you.
  • Local Sourced Food Lunch at Agriturismo Borgo Cerquelle
  • Master Classes with Rosemary McLaughlin, director of the Playwriting Program at Drew University.
  • English Speaking Translator for all Italian centered events.
  • Daily opportunity for participants to share work.
  • Opportunity to meet and talk to Italian theater professionals. (https://solot.it/chi-siamo/)
  • Wine and artesian food tasting at a local vintner.
  • Excursion to Altilia Roman Ruins
  • Traditions of Historical Pontelandolfo – hunt for family crests and learn to roll cheese, la ruzzola. Cheese rolling is a sport that is now recognized and goes back centuries.
  • Excursion to Benevento – museum, Teatro Romano, Hortus Conclusus and explore historic center.
  • Optional Excursion to Reggio Caserta. Tickets are currently €15.
  • Wood-fired pizza made high in the Sannio hills in a centuries old oven.
  • Transportation to all workshops and events.

Ci vediam a presto!

Midge

Longing for a trip to Italy but are doing a staycation? Sip a Prosecco and read my humorous travel memoir, Cars, Castles, Cows and Chaos. Published by Read Furiously.

.

Playwrights Write in Pontelandolfo!

by midgeguerrera, posted in Nonna's Trips & Events

Write Where You Are –

Pontelandolfo 2024 🇮🇹

SponsoreD by

Other Rooms founding artistic director, Jonathan Samarro, understands playwrights. Not only is he a produced and published playwright himself, but the organization he leads has been providing playwright support through a variety of initiatives. How do I know? Hey gang, you know I’m a playwright. (Check out my work on Next Stage Press and YouthPLAYS.) I’ve participated in and gained a lot from the resources Jonathan has created.

Accountable Sundays encourages writers – like sometimes lazy me – to commit to writing every Sunday. Write Where Your Are, a workshop that provides feedback during the creation of a new work, has been incredibly helpful. Other Voices is a reading series that features new completed plays. Retro Reads gives playwrights insights into the work of master playwrights through readings and discussions of classic plays. Seriously, we can all learn from the masters.

Jonathan’s latest initiative, Write Where You Are – Pontelandolfo 2024, offers playwrights the space, time, and community needed to move forward in their work. Those of you who follow this blog have already guessed why Pontelandolfo was chosen. It is my home town and where I do most of my writing. For those of you that are new – Pontelandolfo, nestled in the southern Italy Sannio hills, is a small village off the beaten tourist track. The Italian landscape and village life are a great catalyst for creativity.

Pontelandolfo – our favorite place.

Only eight playwrights were selected to participate in Other Rooms’ first retreat. Between October 14 – 23, 2024, the participants will be staying in La Locanda della Presuntuosa, an interesting villa built into a mountain and on acres of land. The villa provides an escape from the trodden tourist track of Italy’s big cities yet is minutes from Piazza Roma, the main piazza, and the center of Pontelandolfo life and lore. Cobblestone streets lead one to a medieval castle tower and cafés, ancient Roman churches and miniature works of art are hidden within an area steeped in history and culture.

Video is a wee bit too long but…

The week begins with a bar crawl to introduce everyone to village life. Hey, they are playwrights did you expect high tea? In addition to time for one’s own daily writing, the retreat offers master classes in playwriting, a stimulating array of traditional cultural activities, introduction to the province’s theatre community, opportunities to socialize with fellow writers and local people. They can even choose to eat lunch with a local family! YUMMMM!

Jonathan and his local team – gulp – which includes both Annarita Mancini and I, wanted to create a writer’s retreat that was different than the usual – meet around a table for a workshop. Chatting with Playwright and Professor Rosemary McLaughlin we decided to hold a master class, Writing Site Specific Work, at a site. The workshop will be held at Altilia, an excavation of a Roman Village in the town of Sepino – Area Archeologica di Saepinum.  How cool is that!

Rosemary is the head of the Playwriting Program at Drew University. She received her MFA in Theater Arts from Rutgers’ Mason Gross School and several writing fellowships from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts. Recent plays include Paterson Falls, commissioned by Writers Theatre of New Jersey, about the 1913 silk strike; A More Opportune Time, a contemporary adaptation of Marlowe’s Doctor Faustus; Pushing the River, a comedy about aging, memory and eminent domain; Seven Fishermen, about the deadly consequences of a Westerner’s determination to “save” uncontacted people; and D.O.H. (Dykes of Hoboken), set in the 1980’s, a comedy in spite of being about gentrification and AIDS. Rosemary is also a director, a member of the Dramatists Guild and a board member of the International Centre for Women Playwrights.

Sidney Rushing will be introducing the group to the VOTE method to viable and practical story telling. (Victory, Obstacles Tactics and Emotions) It is method to attack a sagging second act, an inactive protagonist  and mine for a more meaningful story. (I really can’t wait to participate in this workshop.)This user friendly process is something you can apply to any story telling medium without angst or trepidation. You will learn how this technique applies to other stories and do the work for your own narrative. We haven’t decided yet where Sidney will be conducting this workshop but know it won’t be in a classroom like setting.

Syd has penned various stage productions in both Chicago, Texas and Los Angeles. He also wrote and performed his one man show Brother’s Tellin’  in Los Angeles earning a NAACP Best Play nomination. It opened up for Lily Tomlin’s show, The Search for Signs for Intelligent Life in the Universe. Syd was then selected for the Mark Taper Playwright’s Program. He went on to a string of produced plays including Aberdeen and Netarine, Akashic Permutations, Zu’s Earth, Unsung Heroes and more. Rushing was honored to be a recipient of the Lorraine Hansberry Distinguished Achievement Award, The 21st Century Voices winner, The Inaugural August Wilson Fellow and a top ten finalist in the Screen Craft Pilot Screenplay Competition 2023. He has taught every grade level from K-12, Prep for College and at Texas State University — named teacher of the year three times in succession within public schools. 

Write Where You Are – Pontelandolfo 2024 will be an exciting program for both the participants and the citizens of Pontelandolfo. This year’s participants have been selected but Other Rooms has set up a waiting list. If you would like to be considered for the waiting list or are interested in any of the programs sponsored by Other Rooms, contact Jonathan Samarro –   jonathanjsamarro@gmail.com.
 

Ci vediamo prossima volta!

Midge Guerrera

Books and plays make great gifts!

consider gifting a work of mine. Thanks!