Cesare Zavattini Theatre - Teatro Cavallerizza

Overlooking Piazza della Vittoria, just like the nearby Teatro Ariosto, the Teatro Cavallerizza is the city's third most important theater and one of the most dynamic and experimental spaces on the Reggio cultural scene.

Officially named after Cesare Zavattini - the writer, screenwriter, and painter born in Luzzara who was among the leading figures of Italian Neorealism - the theater is nevertheless still known and loved today by its historical name: Cavallerizza, which reflects its origins.

From Military Riding School to Theater Space

The building was originally built as an indoor riding arena within the Zucchi Barracks, which now houses the University of Modena and Reggio Emilia.
Until World War II, this space was used for training military horses, a function that deeply influenced its architectural structure.
Once its original purpose was phased out, the building was completely renovated and, in 1994, began a new life as a theater, transforming into one of the most flexible and innovative venues in the city.

A Flexible and Contemporary Theater

The original layout, characterized by a large elliptical hall, is now divided by a central wall into two distinct areas:

• An area dedicated to welcoming the public and the cloakroom.

• The auditorium, which can accommodate up to 450 spectators.

The core feature of the Teatro Cavallerizza is its extraordinary versatility: two movable tiered seating structures allow for up to 12 different configurations, adapting the space to the needs of each performance and continuously redefining the relationship between the stage and the audience.

The Home of Experimentation

Thanks to this eclecticism, the Cavallerizza has become the natural venue for the city's special projects. It hosts:

• Experimental theater productions

• Contemporary dance

• Multidisciplinary performances

• Internships, workshops, and conferences

This is a theater that does not limit itself to hosting shows, but instead acts as a creative laboratory open to dialogue between artistic languages and experimentation.
Now, the Teatro Cavallerizza – Cesare Zavattini represents the most contemporary face of Reggio's theatrical tradition: a place where the building's military past meets the artistic research of the present.

Keep exploring

The city

Romolo Valli Municipal Theatre

Ariosto Theatre