Teatro Povero di Monticchiello

The author develops a conceptual framework for studying community-based social innova-tion and intangible heritage, emphasizing the drivers of place, participation, social values, collective memories, and collaborative lead-ership. This paper examines the practice of autodrama, staged annually for over fifty years by the Teatro Povero di Monticchiello in rural Tuscany. From the perspective of the local population and surrounding area, autodrama is regarded as heritage, yet its social outcomes also exhibit characteristics of social innovation.⬝Keywords: social innovation, heritage, rural area, community, creativity.