S4 Ep.13 - Stagin' Venice: Costumes, Theatre and New Dreams - A chat with Sara Cattani

In this episode of Venice Talks, Monica speaks with Sara Cattani, co-founder of Staging Alive, a new Venetian project created to bring fresh, joyful and high-quality live entertainment formats to the city.

From musical theatre to live performance, from historical costumes to private productions, Sara’s work asks an important question: can Venice still be a place that creates culture, rather than only a place where culture is consumed?

Together, we talk about the need for more accessible, inclusive and entertaining cultural experiences in Venice — shows that can speak to residents, visitors and new audiences without losing quality or identity.

The conversation also takes us inside Atelier Le Boudoir, the new spin-off connected to the historic costumes of Atelier Pietro Longhi: not a large costume warehouse, but a hidden dressing room near Campo della Bragora, surrounded by artisans and Venetian life.

A conversation about theatre, costumes, creativity, courage, and the dream of seeing Venice once again as a port of departure for new ideas.

In this episode:

• How Staging Alive was born and what Sara felt was missing in Venice
• Why musical theatre and joyful entertainment deserve more space in the city
• The divide between “tourist product” and “local product”
• How to create cultural experiences that can speak to different audiences
• The role of fun, beauty and lightness in contemporary culture
• The story behind Atelier Le Boudoir
• The legacy of the historical costumes from Atelier Pietro Longhi
• What it means to build a creative company in Venice today
• Why Venice should not only be a destination, but a place that produces ideas
• The dream of bringing Venetian creativity beyond the lagoon

Follow Sara and her projects:

• Staging Alive
• Atelier Le Boudoir

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you tune in.

✨ Credits:

Hosted by Monica Cesarato

Produced by Monica Cesarato, Sentire Media

• Guest: Sara Cattani for Staging Alive and Atelier Le Boudoir

If you love hearing the voices of Venice, subscribe and leave a review — it helps others discover these stories too.

💌 Want to share your own Venice?

Send me a short audio clip (1 minutes max) telling me what you loved most about the city — at [email protected].