ImprovFestivals.orgImprofestival Salento
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Dates | July 29 - August 2, 2026 |
| Edition | 15th |
| Location | Gallipoli, Apulia, Italy |
| Venue | Villaggio La Vecchia Torre, Gallipoli (residential base; workshops in Gallipoli halls) |
| Language | Italian, English |
| Organizer | Improvvisart cooperative |
| Website | improfestival.it |
| Improfestival Salento | |
| @improfestival_salento |
Overview
Improfestival Salento (also known as Salento Improfestival) is Italy's longest-running improvisational theatre festival, held each summer in Gallipoli on the Ionian coast of Apulia. Now in its 15th edition, it is produced by the Improvvisart cooperative (founded 2008) under the patronage of the city of Gallipoli and the Improteatro Professional National Association. Fabio Musci and Argentine improviser Omar Galvan serve as co-artistic directors, with Alessandra Villa as organizational director.
Unique among improv festivals, Improfestival Salento runs as a residential gathering: participants stay at the Villaggio La Vecchia Torre, a beachfront village about 3 km from central Gallipoli, and split their days between intensive workshops in town, evening shows, and time on the Salento coast's white-sand beaches. The 2026 edition runs July 29 through August 2. Each participant selects a 9-hour workshop (matched to their experience level) plus a 3-hour surprise mini-workshop with a different teacher, for 12 hours of training total. The 2026 faculty is Mauro Simolo, Ana Puerta, Omar Galvan, and Encarni Corrales. Evening programming includes an ImproShow with Compagnia Improvvisart, a teachers' showcase, an optional boat party, and a final beachside dinner and closing party.
Submissions
Registration for the 2026 edition opened May 4, 2026 and runs until places sell out. Sign up via the festival's Google Form; a 100 euro deposit by bank transfer confirms a place. The base package includes the 9-hour workshop, official t-shirt, welcome aperitivo, shuttle to the workshop halls, teacher shows, and the final dinner. Pricing depends on accommodation: bungalow places run 490 to 520 euros, while a lodging-free "Solo Stage" option (limited to Lecce-province residents) is 200 euros.