In this #ISSNAFStory, Barbara Rosario interviews Professor Gianni Cicali, Professor of History of Italian Theatre at Georgetown University and a newly appointed member of the ISSNAF Scientific Council.

Cicali reflects on a career dedicated to exploring the rich intersections of theatre, opera, cinema, politics, religion, and cultural history. His research ranges from Renaissance and eighteenth-century Italian theatre to the migration of Italian theatre professionals to North America, revealing how artistic traditions travel, evolve, and shape new cultural landscapes.

A central theme of his work is the relationship between culture and society. From Florentine religious theatre and Neapolitan comic opera to the Federal Theatre Project of the New Deal era, Cicali examines how the performing arts reflect broader political, social, and ideological dynamics. His recent research on Italian theatre professionals in the Americas sheds new light on the transatlantic circulation of artistic ideas and cultural identities.

Beyond his scholarship, Cicali discusses teaching Italian culture to new generations of students, the enduring appeal of figures such as Machiavelli, and the challenges and opportunities that artificial intelligence presents for the humanities. He also reflects on his journey from Florence to North America and emphasizes the importance of rigorous preparation, communication skills, and cultural literacy for aspiring scholars.