Although belonging to the wider family of applied theatre, social theatre has some specific historical, methodological and contextual characteristics. When taking part in social theatre, people, groups and even larger, more recognisable social systems actively transform and improve their lifeworlds through their direct involvement in theatrical, ludic, festive and performative practices. The actors', authors' and spectators' participation in such cultural practices - combined with powerful representations, actions and relationships - leads to symbolic inner growth and regeneration in the social body.
This book, which opens with an introduction by Claudio Bernardi, explores the whys and wherefores of social theatre with particular attention to Italy. It is structured around two types of contribution. One comes from the interventions of some of the speakers at the International Conference Performing the Social. Education, Care and Social Inclusion through Theatre, held in Milan on 20-21 September 2019.
They are Isabel Bezelga, Marco De Marinis, David Le Breton, Tim Prentki, Pier Cesare Rivoltella, Diana Taylor, James Thompson and Emmanuel Wallon.
The second part is a more direct result of the Research Project of National Relevance (PRIN) with the same title; namely the application of social theatre in the fields of education, health and inclusion.
The authors of these essays are Carla Bino, Roberta Carpani, Livia Cavaglieri, Guido Di Palma, Fabrizio Fiaschini, Roberta Gandolfi, Giulia Innocenti Malini, Stefano Locatelli, Alberto Pagliarino, Alessandro Pontremoli, Alessandra Rossi Ghiglione.

Claudio Bernardi, professor of Performing Arts at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Brescia, is one of the leading social theatre theorists and was the Principal Investigator of the PRIN (Research Project of National Relevance) Performing the Social. Education, Care and Social Inclusion through Theatre.

Giulia Innocenti Malini, a social theatre expert, coordinates the Advanced Training Course for Social Theatre Operators, teaches Social Theatre and leads the Theatre and Performance Workshop at the Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore of Milan. She provides training in leading social theatre groups and runs social theatre workshops in the fields of psychiatry and prison.