MATTEO CIONINI – Biography
I was born in 1981 in Piombino (LI). I started doing theater at the age of five by forcing my brother to play with me in the backyard… Later, I earned my degree in Art, Music, and Performing Arts from the University of Bologna with a field research thesis on the Brazilian social circus.
During my time in Bologna (2001–2006), I attended many workshops and training courses in mime, theater, and clowning with teachers such as Yves LeBreton, Steve Wasson, Corinne Soum, André Casaca, and Elena Serra.
I was born in 1981 in Piombino (LI). I started doing theater at the age of five by forcing my brother to play with me in the backyard… Later, I earned a degree in Art, Music, and Performing Arts from the University of Bologna with a field research thesis on the Brazilian social circus.
During my time in Bologna (2001–2006), I attended many workshops and training courses in mime, theater, and clowning with teachers such as Yves LeBreton, Steve Wasson, Corinne Soum, André Casaca, and Elena Serra.
In 2002, I founded the Teatro dei Miscugli, a theater company dedicated to artistic fusion that was active until 2004. That same year, I began working as a street performer, staging shows and performances and participating in numerous festivals such as “La Luna nel Pozzo” (Caorle), “La Strada” (Bremen), “Ferrara Buskers Festival,” “Plafterzauber” (Hildesheim, Germany), and others.
In 2005, I graduated from the Advanced Course in Nouveau Cirque at the Bologna Theater School. The following year, I moved to Turin, where, in 2008, I graduated from the Performing Arts University of Turin, at Philip Radice’s Atelier Teatro Fisico, where I honed my skills in theater, mime, and theatrical clowning, and learned techniques in pantomime, dance theater, improvisation, stage combat, acrobatics for theater, storytelling, and theater direction.
In 2011, he made his debut with *Sans Mots*, a mime and physical theater performance directed by Patrizia Besantini. After successfully presenting it at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the show has been performed more than 70 times in England, France, Italy, Armenia, and Mexico, participating in major festivals such as “Mim’Off” (Périgueux, France), “Yengibarian International Mime Festival” (Armenia), “Cirkonvencion Mexikana” (Mexico), “Mime>Berlin” (Germany), “KonRak Mime Festival” (Bangkok, Thailand), “Tokyo International Pantomime Festival” (Japan), and at the Italian Cultural Institute in Melbourne, Australia.
And then: Cuba, Mongolia, China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia…
In 2012, I helped launch the Centro Arti Mimiche directed by Patrizia Besantini, where I teach mime and physical theater and serve as artistic director of the “De Gestibus” festival.
In 2002, I founded the Teatro dei Miscugli, a theater company dedicated to artistic fusion that was active until 2004. That same year, I began working as a street performer, staging shows and performances and participating in numerous festivals such as “La Luna nel Pozzo” (Caorle), “La Strada” (Bremen), “Ferrara Buskers Festival,” “Plafterzauber” (Hildesheim, Germany), and others.
In 2005, I graduated from the Advanced Course in Nouveau Cirque at the Bologna Theater School. The following year, I moved to Turin, where, in 2008, I graduated from the Performing Arts University of Turin, at Philip Radice’s Atelier Teatro Fisico, where I honed my skills in theater, mime, and theatrical clowning, and learned techniques in pantomime, dance theater, improvisation, stage combat, acrobatics for theater, storytelling, and theater direction.
In 2011, he made his debut with *Sans Mots*, a mime and physical theater performance directed by Patrizia Besantini. After successfully presenting it at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the show has been performed more than 70 times in England, France, Italy, Armenia, and Mexico, participating in major festivals such as “Mim’Off” (Périgueux, France), “Yengibarian International Mime Festival” (Armenia), “Cirkonvencion Mexikana” (Mexico), “Mime>Berlin” (Germany), “KonRak Mime Festival” (Bangkok, Thailand), “Tokyo International Pantomime Festival” (Japan), and at the Italian Cultural Institute in Melbourne, Australia.
And then: Cuba, Mongolia, China, South Korea, Saudi Arabia…
In 2012, I helped launch the Centro Arti Mimiche directed by Patrizia Besantini, where I teach mime and physical theater and serve as artistic director of the “De Gestibus” festival.
I work as an instructor at the “Teatro delle Dieci” Theater Training Center in Turin, with the TeatroSequenza association as part of the national network of Theater Improvisation Matches, and I teach theater at the Circolo Amici della Magia in Turin.
Since 2015, I have been the instructor for the Level 1 and Level 2 Mime courses at theAtelier Teatro Fisico run by Philip Radice.
Also in 2015, together with Martina Soragna, I launched the artistic and educational research project “‘Theater with Objects?’.”
In 2016, together with Paolo Arlenghi, I created the Peter Pad project and the company :-Pindarica
I occasionally collaborate with the BIT Company and the Sonics Company.
In 2025, I will found and direct the Mime Arts Academy Torino, a comprehensive training program dedicated to the art of mime, within the Atelier Teatro Fisico and beyond.
Since 2026, I have been the founder and director of the Torino International Mime Festival, the only festival in Italy dedicated exclusively to the art of mime.
I haven’t played in that courtyard anymore, but I’m always on the lookout for new courtyards where I can keep playing.
Keeping both feet on the ground.
And his head in the clouds.
I occasionally collaborate with the BIT Company and the Sonics Company.
In 2025, I will found and direct the Mime Arts Academy Torino, a comprehensive training program dedicated to the art of mime, within the Atelier Teatro Fisico and beyond.
Since 2026, I have been the founder and director of the Torino International Mime Festival, the only festival in Italy dedicated exclusively to the art of mime.
I haven’t played in that courtyard anymore, but I’m always on the lookout for new courtyards where I can keep playing.
