Stefano Callovi is an Italian actor and theatre maker based in Dublin. Originally from Jesolo, near Venice, he developed a passion for storytelling at a young age. After training at the Centro TeatroAttivo in Milan, he moved to Ireland to continue his studies at the Gaiety School of Acting, graduating in 2024. Since then, he has been involved in various projects, including performances with the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain and training in Chinese Opera in Venice.
Currently, he is performing in two productions at the Scene+Heard Festival of New Work 2025: Son of a Witch – A Ballad of Those Left Behind and A Scream in Search of a Mouth – Anatomy of a Femicide.
Son of a Witch – A Ballad of Those Left Behind
On Saturday, February 22, and Sunday, February 23, at 3 PM in Smock Alley Theatre’s Boys’ School, Callovi takes on the lead role of Johannes in Son of a Witch. The production, created by Sonja Dinkelaker and Till Vonderlage, tells the story of a young man whose mother was executed for witchcraft in 17th-century Thuringia, Germany. In addition to acting, Callovi is also producing the show.
Rehearsals were conducted remotely for several weeks before the team met in Dublin for the final stages of preparation. To develop his role, Callovi researched historical sources and contemporary works on witch hunts, including Elizabeth Sankey’s documentary Witches, which examines the social stigmas surrounding motherhood and mental health.
Book Tickets for Son of a Witch
A Scream in Search of a Mouth – Anatomy of a Femicide
Callovi is also performing in A Scream in Search of a Mouth, which runs on Friday, February 28, and Saturday, March 1, at 6:30 PM in Smock Alley Theatre’s Main Space. Written and directed by VassiaMentekidou, this production explores social norms and their consequences. The cast includes Callovi, Daniel Mahon, Emily McAlinden, and others.
Book Tickets for A Scream in Search of a Mouth
Sonja Dinkelaker
Sonja Dinkelaker is an actress and theatre maker from the Black Forest, Germany. She trained in musical theatre at Hamburg Stage School before continuing her studies at the Gaiety School of Acting in Dublin, where she graduated in 2022. She has experience as a musician, playing the piano, violin, and guitar, and previously performed at the Scene+Heard Festival in 2023 with her original solo show Heaven Shakes a Little.
For Son of a Witch, Dinkelaker co-wrote and performs alongside Callovi and Till Vonderlage. The play marks her return to Dublin’s theatre scene after relocating back to Germany, maintaining her creative connection with Callovi and Vonderlage despite working remotely for much of the production.
Till Vonderlage
TillVonderlage is a German actor and writer from Plön. He trained at the SchulefürSchauspiel in Hamburg, graduating in 2022. His experience includes performing at the Hamburg Dungeon and working as an assistant director for Kater der Zukunft, a production that blends backstage comedy with reflections on theatre.
As co-writer and performer in Son of a Witch, Vonderlage brings his storytelling skills to the production, helping shape its unique blend of music and spoken word. His background in poetry and music adds depth to the play’s lyrical elements, enhancing the overall theatrical experience.
Future Projects
After the festival, Callovi will prepare for the international debut of Show Me Your Macarena, a devised production co-created with Erica Fitz, Nathan Doyle, and John Maher, set to premiere in Italy. He also plans to continue working on Son of a Witch and collaborate with a Rome-based theatre maker on a new project.
Connect with the Artists
For updates on their performances and future projects, follow them on Instagram:
- @stefano_callovi
- @son.of.a.witch_the.show
- @sonja_dinkelaker
- @till.vonderlage
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