Commedia Dell' Arte Courses
Commedia Dell' Arte Courses
Commedia Dell' Arte Courses
Commedia Dell' Arte Courses
Commedia Dell' Arte Courses
Commedia Dell'Arte
Commedia dell'arte is a form of theatre characterized by masked "types". Commedia dell'arte ("Comedy of Art" or "Comedy of the profession"), means unwritten or improvised drama, and implies rather to the manner of performance than to the subject matter of the play. It was a popular form of entertainment in Italy during the Renaissance although it began in the 14th Century and continued until the 18th Century. Commedia gained popularity in other European countries, especially France. The actors performed in public in town squares and no scripts were used; only scenarios were written allowing the actors to improvise the dialogue to the delight of the audience. Commedia Dell'Arte is still alive around the world.
Workshops in New York, USA
Workshop in Florence, Italy
These Drama courses are designed for participants and students who have some prior experience in theatre.
Participants learn the physical style of Commedia dell'Arte as we believe it was "then" and how it may be used "now" as a creative tool for actors, performers, directors and teachers. The goal of the workshops is for our participants to simultaneously experience the momentum, effort, historical, physical, joyful and risky style of the Commedia dell' Arte.
Students develop their personal historical Commedia dell'Arte characters and style with their individual qualities. Students will easily see how this work from the 1500's still vibrantly relates today.
Their movement, gesture, history of the characters, improvisation, lazzi, mask work, physical skills, prop manipulation, rhythm, scatology, scenario work, and more; all integrated.
- Arlecchino
- Pantalone
- Dottore
- Capitano
- Brighella
- Lovers
Much of our scenario and improvisation work will be taken from our translation of three of Flaminio Scala scenarios believed to be performed by the legendary Gelosi Company 1572 to 1604.
Because the Commedia dell'Arte actor is diversely talented, Stanley brings in talented guest artists and teachers that specialize in specific areas.
Classes will be held in Pier Studios at Pier 40 in Hudson River Park in New York, NY.
Dates:
- June 17-July 6 (2012)
- August 19-31 (2012)
Prices:
- $1550 for June workshop-no housing included.
- $1120 for August workshop-no housing included.
Housing: As our students like different kinds of accommodation, we have provided a list that will help guide you in the housing that is available in New York City for all different budgets.
The course is geared toward understanding the theatrical experience as a fun and useful game for developing your own creativity and expressiveness as well as increasing your artistic experience in relation to a group. The course will help to develop the exchange of physical energy and creativity amongst the students in the group.
The course focuses on reading, understanding, and interpreting scenes, characters and stories contained in major classical texts, reviving them from an environment some 500 years ago. This course allows students to see the many emotions connected to time, space, love, fame, war, power, justice, friendship, violence and jealousy that remain in our world today. Theater as an intellectual exercise and as a strongly emotional experience will be explored in this course.
The course will take place in Florence and combine body expression/language and acting. Participants will have the opportunity to learn about the characters of Commedia and to dance to a choreographed Renaissance noble Italian dance. There is also the possibility of doing a performance in Florence.
Dates: July 16-27 (2012)
Price: 1200€ (euros) which includes the 40 hour course, 2 week accommodation in a double-room apartment in Florence, and certificate at the end of the course.
Meet Instructors
Roberto Andrioli of Florentine origin, studied at PiccoloTeatro Scuola di Milano under the direction of Giorgio Strehler, working on numerous productions in Italy and abroad. Some include Piccolo Teatro di Milano, Mama Experimental Theatre Club in New York, The French Theatre Company Danza Jean Duroure Francois, Il teatro di Metastasio Prato, Il Baltinsky Dom St. Petersburg, Lacorte Ospitale di Rubiera, L'artistic di Pavia. He is a multifaceted artist who loves working in diverse genres of prose and theatre, from musicals to Commedia dell'Arte. His work has reached the world of television, radio and theatre and he has taught drama techniques and is a well-known mask-maker.
Marco Bendoni a professional dancer and Commedia Dell'Arte actor, works assiduously with recognized instrumental groups and baroque music such as Arpegiatta or Savall and combines their art with the teaching profession, offering numerous dance workshops throughout the world. Marco has worked in different dance companies throughout the world.
Stanley Allan Sherman is a graduate of Ecole Jacque Lecoq Theatre Mime Movement. He is known for Commedia dell'Arte and masks. Stanley has performed in hundreds of shows in schools, odd stages, 3000 seat rock concerts and theaters. In 1975 coming to NYC, he made a living performing shows on the streets. He created the Aero Show, Featuring the Star Spangled Banner running 6 months in LA, Critic's Choice in the LA Times, receiving rave reviews around the country and touring until the mid-90s. In the acting world Stanley's was Off Broadway for 3 ½ years in Grandma Sylvia's Funeral and appearing 41 times on NBC Late Night with Conan O'Brien.
