THE ACTOR AND THE MASKS IN COMMEDIA DELL’ARTE:

HISTORY AND CHARACTERS
THEATRICAL CLASS ABOUT COMMEDIA DELL’ARTE AND ITS MASKS.

The class offers an overview on the history and the character of the main masks of Commedia dell’arte.

I will focus on the birth and physical evolution of each character and its interpreta- tion on stage; the improvising dynamics between the characters will be studied th- rough examples taken from authors involved with the Commedia such as Ruzante and Goldoni.

There will be a prctical part in wich I will show how the characters move on stage, how they talk and why.

I will try to higlight the history of this important product of the italian culture - both on the theatrical and on the literary point of view- and its relation with the italian society: the enormous success of the XV and XVI century, its international trajecto- ry and its decline with the XVIII century, its return during the late 50’s and its new potential nowadays.

The class can take forms: from a 2-hour- talk with practical examples to a work- shop ( 6/8 hours) involving students in the practical/ performative part.

In terms of logistics I just need an empty space with chairs for the students and if possible some audio equipment to connect a PC form music.

PRACTICAL INFO: VIDEO

DURATION: 2-8 HRS SPACE: A CLASSROOM WITH CHARIS AND 3X3 M. EMPTY SPACE TARGET: Students (italian langauge and literature) drama students LANGUAGE: Italian and/or english

VIDEO