THR 351 - Commedia dell’Arte

Course unit(s): 1
Prerequisite(s): THR 251 - Acting II: Scene Study .
This is an advanced acting class that explores comic performance from the classical French, Italian, and Spanish traditions. Scenes from the plays of Goldoni, Gozzi, Moliere, Marivaux, Beaumarchais, and Cervantes will be analyzed and performed. In addition, the study of the stock Commedia dell’Arte characters (Arlecchino, Pantalone, Brighella, Dottore, Capitano, etc.) will allow the actor to improvise with masks in order to expand vocal and physical abilities. Students in the class are required to write and perform contemporary scenes in the style of the Commedia, and elements of comedy will be researched through the viewing of current films and plays in order to trace the influence of this tradition on contemporary practice. A final performance will take place in a community venue.