Spend a weekend immersing yourself in the rich masked theater tradition of Commedia dell’Arte! Explore the stock characters, gags (aka lazzi), and more with Markus Kupferblum, lecturer at the University of Vienna and expert of the form. Over the course of the weekend, you will develop your own Commedia story and share it at a final presentation.

Open to adult participants of all backgrounds who want to explore embodied performance and experiment with how stories are made!

What is Commedia dell’Arte?

Commedia dell'Arte is a theatrical form originating in 16th-century Europe that influenced, and continues to influence, the theatrical arts — including opera, circus performance, puppetry, film and television, and even cartoons. The influence of the form can be seen in many notable works, including Shakespeare, Molière, Charlie Chaplin’s slapstick, Punch and Judy puppet shows, and Looney Tunes.

Knowledge of Commedia dell’Arte will deepen your understanding of the shared storytelling conventions between art forms, and give you a new set of tools to use when creating your own work!

What will I learn?

You will:

Gain an understanding of the history of the Commedia and its contemporary influence

Learn the dramaturgical laws of the Commedia, lazzi (gags), and improvisation

Explore how to develop narrative conflict that leads to comedy and tragedy

Meet the nine main characters of the Commedia and their passions, movements, and vices

Learn to use the masks of the Commedia

Learn about the function of music and choirs in the Commedia

Over the course of the weekend, you will develop your own Commedia story, which will be shared at a culminating presentation to peers and invited guests.

Who can take part?

Actors, performance artists, puppeteers, theater students, teachers, and anyone who wants to explore embodied performance and experiment with how stories are made will love this crash course in the Commedia dell’Arte. No special skills required.