In a State of Grace

Description

**Becoming Adults**
"In a State of Grace" is a fairy tale investigation into the lives of some minors with disabilities: from conception to birth, from entering school to puberty, and imagining a future of independence from their parents. The performance was born from a creative workshop aimed at fostering dialogue between able-bodied children and children with disabilities. On stage, now grown up, are 8 adolescents aged between 11 and 19. The starting point of the work was the story of Pinocchio. The relationship between Pinocchio and Geppetto, and more generally between parents and children, was one of the foundational themes of the project. Thus, alongside the group of young performers, parents appear, sharing their testimonies on stage through video interviews: stories of difficult pregnancies, premature births, and adoptions. "In a State of Grace" can tell of pain and hope not to hurt. It aims to bring to light, perhaps, a message that opens minds and ears for the birth of a more open and inclusive society. **The Path to Adulthood**
Eight teenagers with and without disabilities tell their stories on stage, inspired by the tale of Pinocchio and his father Geppetto. These are parent-child stories with special circumstances. In the touching production "In a State of Grace," all eight teenagers simultaneously embody Pinocchio, struggling in school where no one truly addresses his needs, and encountering not only the Blue Fairy, who is sometimes a strict teacher and sometimes a loving companion, but also many everyday limitations. The performance weaves together acting scenes with dance and other narrative forms. Inspired by Pinocchio's experiences, the individual teenagers create a narrative bridge to their lives, their dreams, and wishes for a good, independent future. However, "In a State of Grace" is not only about the path to adulthood but also about the relationship of the teenagers with their parents. Thus, alongside the group of young performers, parents also appear, expressing their feelings, needs, and experiences through video interviews: stories of difficult pregnancies, premature births, adoptions, and everyday experiences with children with and without disabilities. Above all, there is a desire for an open, inclusive, and tolerant society. **The Backstory**
The play was created in Milan from a creative workshop process aimed at promoting dialogue between children with and without disabilities. Now, eight teenagers aged between 11 and 19 are on stage. The starting point of the work was the story of Pinocchio. The relationship described between Pinocchio and Geppetto, and thus the relationship between parents and children, was one of the fundamental themes of "In a State of Grace." Many questions about the challenges of growing up flow into the production, forming a bridge between the fairy tale of Pinocchio and the various realities of the teenagers in the here and now. At the center of the play is the relationship between them and their parents: from conception to birth, from entering school to puberty, and the dream of an independent future.