Teatro Coccia, Novara (Authorised AFAM Programmes Campus)

STM’s historic campus is located within the Teatro Coccia in Novara, one of Italy’s most important and beautiful traditional theatres. Teatro Coccia is the only officially recognised Teatro di Tradizione in the Piedmont region. Originating from the earlier Teatro Morelliano, built during the second half of the eighteenth century, Teatro Coccia has undergone several transformations over the years. The most recent renovation, which gave the theatre its current structure, was completed in 1993. The auditorium consists of a stalls area, three tiers of boxes, and two galleries, with a total seating capacity of 917 seats. Each year, Teatro Coccia hosts approximately 130 performances, including both productions from its official season and guest events, attracting an audience of more than 80,000 spectators.

The campus is organised across three floors and covers more than 500 square metres. Facilities include the Piccolo Coccia (the theatre’s studio venue, complete with stage, audience seating, and permanent lighting and sound systems), the Rehearsal Room, the Dance Studio, the Choir Room, the Singing Studio, the Directing Studio, the Library and Media Centre, a Student Lounge, a small Recording Studio, and the Administrative Office. The educational spaces are characterised by natural materials such as wood and abundant natural light, creating an ideal working environment and fostering creativity.

VIRTUAL TOUR: click here for the virtual tour of the Novara campus.

Novara, consistently ranked among Italy’s most liveable cities, is easily accessible by train, air, and car thanks to its fast and efficient connections with Milan Malpensa Airport (25 minutes), Milan (30 minutes), and Turin (50 minutes). Home to the University of Eastern Piedmont, it hosts, among others, the Schools of Medicine and Economics. Like many major European cultural institutions, STM has chosen as its historic home a city located close to major metropolitan centres while offering key advantages: a strong commitment to theatre, a well-established university environment, excellent quality of life, abundant green spaces, a vibrant cultural scene, and favourable conditions for student accommodation.

Teatro degli Arcimboldi, Milan

The Teatro degli Arcimboldi, commissioned by the Municipality of Milan in collaboration with Pirelli and designed by Studio Gregotti Associati International, is a unique venue in terms of its architectural, acoustic, and visual design, as well as its technological facilities. Structured around three main volumes — the foyer, auditorium, and stage tower — it has a total capacity of 2,346 seats.

STM Studio is a multimedia venue within the Teatro degli Arcimboldi, programmed and managed by the acting students of the academic programmes. A space dedicated to production, training, and experimentation, open to the public and to the new expressions of contemporary musical theatre.

Milan is Italy’s theatre capital. The theatre, which hosts musicals, performances, and concerts by internationally renowned artists, stands at the centre of a major urban regeneration project that transformed the area from an industrial district into a hub for contemporary arts and culture. The neighbourhood includes Hangar Bicocca, the National Film School (Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia), the Cineteca Italiana, and Spazio MIL. Trendy shops can be found at the Bicocca Village shopping centre, while the nearby Parco Nord Milano offers extensive green spaces, walking paths, and picnic areas.