Not a Simple Copy: The Transmission of Theatrical Heritage through the Use of Digital Technologies

The transmission of theatrical heritage in the digital age raises both theoretical and practical questions, requiring an approach that moves beyond merely equating digitization with the creation of a dull copy. Instead, the digital should be understood as a tool to give a new life to past heritage. This study explores the role of digital technologies in the transmission of theatrical heritage, focusing on the case of the Teatro della Tosse. This research examines the creation of the Teatro della Tosse Digital Collection, a digitization model that addresses challenges related to the heterogeneous and non-inventoried nature of theatrical heritage. Adopting an interdisciplinary perspective, this study intertwines Theatre Studies, Digital Humanities, and Heritage Studies to redefine the concept of theatrical heritage and its modes of transmission. The results of this study highlight the value of digital technologies in enabling new forms of access, interpretation, and engagement with theatrical memory.