Teatro Franco Parenti

Located a stone’s throw from Milan’s characteristic Porta Romana, the Teatro Franco Parenti was founded in 1972 as the Salone Pier Lombardo’ by Franco Parenti and Andr’e Shamamah, together with Giovanni Testori, Dante Isella, and Gian Maurizio Fercioni.

The theatre has been characterized as a singular place for the expression of ideas, thoughts, and different languages, from the classics to contemporary playwriting, from philosophy to music and dance. Plays have originated here that have left their mark on the history of Italian theatre.

Upon Parenti’s death in 1989, Andr’e Shammah assumed full management of the theatre, and chose to name it after the deceased co-founder without changing its eclectic vocation. The theater’s program also featured an equally vibrant and diversified range of cultural events, concerts, film exhibitions, conferences, festivals, and presentations, making Teatro Parenti a point of reference on Milan’s cultural scene.

The theatre went through a major renovation from 2004-2008 with a design by Michele De Lucchi. Today, it includes three halls for performances, two foyers, two rehearsal rooms, new dressing rooms and offices, a space for post-performance refreshments, and a cafeteria. It remains one of the historic institutions of independent and experimental theatre in Milan.