Sonia Bellavia

Sonia Bellavia is a Full Professor (Professore Ordinario) at the Department of Modern Literature and Culture within Faculty of Letters and Philosophy, Sapienza University of Rome. She holds a PhD in Modern and Contemporary Theater History from the University of Salerno and has been permanently employed since 2007.

• Teaches 'History of Modern and Contemporary Theater I' and 'The Actor's Work' at undergraduate and graduate levels
• Organizes Steinerian Sprachgestaltung (Word Formation) and Eurhythmics workshops
• Editorial board member for multiple theater/dance journals

Research Focus: 18th-20th century European theater history, physiological aesthetics, Salomé myth in performing arts, actor training methodologies, and Steinerian movement/theater practices. Her recent publications explore intermediality in 19th century German-Austrian theater, Enlightenment-era performance theories, and cultural analysis of the Salomé phenomenon.

Academic Leadership:

• Organizer of international conferences on theatrical correspondence and eurhythmy
• Principal Investigator for multiple funded projects including 'Theatermania in 18th Century Europe' and 'The Rhythmic Body: Theatrical Improvisation'
• Coordinator of Erasmus exchange program with Carlos III University of Madrid

Teaching Philosophy: Integrates practical workshops (breath-body coordination, word formation) with rigorous historical analysis, emphasizing the connection between theatrical practices and broader cultural/intellectual movements. Regularly collaborates with institutions like Fondazione CulturaSì and Accademia Nazionale di Danza.