“A Brief History of a Courageous Theatre”

History and Memory of the University Theatre Centre in Palermo (1958–1968)

Abstract

This essay reconstructs the history of the University Theatre Centre (CUT) in Palermo in the 1960s, a key avant-garde experience in a city then lacking theatrical innovation. Drawing on unpublished archival documents (Teatro Libero and Fondo Marsala) and oral history (the Ormete project), the study traces the group's evolution: from its foundation in 1957 to its maturity as the Teatro dei 172, through international festivals (Parma, Grenoble, Zagreb) and collaborations such as the Living Theatre. The research highlights how the CUT introduced contemporary dramaturgy (Beckett, Ionesco, Brecht) to Sicily, overcame geographical isolation and created a lasting legacy through Teatro Libero and the IncontroAzione festival.