Movement as listening, space as dialogue, improvisation as a collective act. Within the nineteenth edition of PerSe Visioni XIX and in close connection with the CorpiSmossi, the Bachi da Setola presents DIGGING, an intensive 5-day journey dedicated to body exploration and extemporaneous composition. This initiative consolidates Bachi da Setola's mission to promote artistic training and contemporary culture in the Apulian territory.
From August 18 to 22, 2026, the Resine space in Polignano a Mare will host a unique training experience, led by two historical figures of international choreographic research: Alessandro Certini and Charlotte Zerbey of Company Blu.
The journey: what we will explore in DIGGING
The workshop investigates improvisation not as an absence of rules, but as a form of communication and common narrative. Starting from the study of movement linked to physical perceptions, we will learn to transform personal intuition into a shared gesture, analyzing elements such as phrasing, intervals, and space.
The workshop will develop across two key phases:
- Part One: “THE BODY IN PERFORMANCE” (Availability and choice): A gradual warm-up to attune the perception of space in relation to others. We will work on integrating impulses and the spontaneity of reflexes in different choreographic contexts.
- Part Two: “COLLECTIVE NARRATIVE” (Building dialogue): Group sessions where personal skills meet the collective context. Each session will be followed by critical feedback to develop a way of creating where one's own physical discourse includes and supports that of others.
Improvisation can provoke a sense of uncertainty, but at the same time, it releases a joy and expressive clarity rarely achievable in rigidly structured performances.
Who is the workshop for?
The workshop is open to anyone who wants to get involved. A single specialization is not required: we welcome dancers, professional and semi-professional actors, circus artists, performers, and simply lovers of movement and body research. The diversity of experiences is the true wealth of group work.
The instructors: the experience of Company Blu
Founded in Florence in 1989, Company Blu is a benchmark in Italy and abroad for the promotion of contemporary culture and research in live performing arts.
- Charlotte Zerbey: US-born choreographer, dancer, and vocalist. Active on the international scene for over 30 years, she combines traditional training in modern dance with studies in vocal work, Contact Improvisation, Authentic Movement, and Body-Mind Centering.
- Alessandro Certini: Choreographer, dancer, and improviser. He studied post-modern techniques in Amsterdam and London, collaborating since the 1980s with the most important international pioneers of extemporaneous composition and live music.
Practical information, dates, and costs
The workshop will take place in Polignano a Mare (Bari), for a total of 5 hours per day (from 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with a short internal break for a snack), at the Resine space (Viale delle Rimembranze n. 11 – Polignano a Mare).
At the end of the journey, in the late afternoon of Saturday, August 22, participants will take part in the final performance within the framework of PerSe Visioni XIX. The festival is a multidisciplinary space combining cinema, live music, and performance, with completely free and open access for the public.
Participation fees (Bachi da Setola association card included)
- Ticket EARLY BIRD (Registration by July 15, 2026): 170 €
- Ticket FULL (Registration from July 16 to August 14, 2026): 200 €
- Sconto iscritti all’associazione: €160 (by July 15) / €190 (after July 15)
Registration will officially close on August 14, 2026.
Logistics: Accommodation and how to reach Polignano
- How to get there: he nearest airports are Bari (BRI) and Brindisi (BDS). The Polignano a Mare railway station is easily accessible by regional trains from Bari.
- Hospitality and Accommodation: If you are coming from outside the region, we can help you find accommodation in a shared apartment with other participants (an excellent strategy to cut costs). Prices for the summer period vary between €40 and €60 per night per person. Given the high tourist influx in Polignano during August, we advise you to contact us as soon as possible to lock in the best rates.
- Meals: Lunch and meals are at the participants' expense. Cafés, bakeries, and diners are available near the workshop venue.
How to register for the workshop
To participate in DIGGING, it is necessary to fill out the official registration form.
Note on filling out the form: Since the workshop has an international scope and is open to participants from abroad, you will find all the informative sections of the registration form in English. Once the form is submitted, you will receive a summary in response along with bank or PayPal details to make the fee payment and definitively confirm your spot.
For any doubts, questions about the journey, or requests for support regarding shared accommodation, write to us directly at: workshop@bachidasetola.it
