The Commedia Program is an intensive acting workshop that engages the physical life of each actor in the pursuit of expanding range of expression. The class will explore the influence of Commedia in Shakespeare and Molière.
"To do this program anywhere would be amazing, but I don’t think it would be anywhere near as life changing if it weren’t in Italy"
— Ian LoCascio, Commedia dell'Arte in Florence,
summer 2019
Through practicing the art of Commedia dell’Arte, learn why Italy has long considered the actor to be at the center of dramatic creation. You will become a part of this Italian tradition stretching from the Middle Ages to the present-day work of Dario Fo and Roberto Benigni.
Students will:
Experience mask work to heighten spontaneity, physical presence, and a sense of play.
Develop the ability to explore play in Shakespeare and modern texts.
Delve into popular theater and biting satire through the understanding stock characters from around the globe.
The Professional Company In residence each summer during the Commedia class is the Continuum Company, a group of NYU Graduate Acting alumni and other artists who come to Florence every summer to develop classical and new works. This professional company works with the Commedia actors during their time in Florence. The Continuum Company has had in residence some of America's most exciting artists, including playwrights Tarell McCraney, (Moonlight, The Brothers Size), and Danai Gurira (Eclipsed, Familiar), musicians Jon Batiste and The Stay Human Band (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert), as well as the actors Sterling K. Brown (Black Panther, This Is Us, The People vs. O.J. Simpson), Nina Arianda, Broadway: (Venus In Fur –Tony Award winner), Andre Holland (Moonlight, The Knick, “42”, American Horror Story), Susan Watson (This Is Us), and Logan Marshal Green (“24’, The O.C. Prometheus) and Shane McRae, Broadway: Take Me Out, (Sneaky Pete).
Curriculum and Performances
Students will enroll in the following 8-unit course.
Please Note: Students studying abroad on a Tisch track are not eligible to pursue an internship (except for Theatre in Ghana and Television Writing in London). Tisch programs do not provide work visas.
Discovering the comedic world - past, present and future - through the lens of Commedia Dell’Arte.
Throughout the course, areas of specialty are developed in:
Improvisation
Mask/character work
Ancient and modern archetypes
Scene study in Moliere, Shakespeare and Clown
Creation and development of monologues
A skill set for productive self analysis and non-judgmental critique
Throughout the course, areas of specialty are developed in mask work, circus skills, scene improvisation, individual lazzi (bits and specialty acts), and the search for one’s own clown work. Scene work consists of scenarios, texts, and lazzi from the 17th century, as well as the development of scenarios from present-day topics and texts. Parallel studies of the historical development of theatre and the visual arts in 17th-century Italy and how they influenced each other are integrated with the studio work, creating a larger perspective of the development of European theatre. The course involves students in the local festivals and carnivals and integrates mask makers and specialists from both Italy and Switzerland as it juxtaposes European styles of theatre with American sensibilities.
Through mask work, the class studies the classical characters of the 15th century as well as exploring how to create the modern stock characters of today. On camera work will give each actor the possibility to work on a variety of scripts and sides that stretch the imagination and build the ability to play with a larger range- from the overt to the intimate. An actor will leave with the ability to perform with ease on both amphitheaters and small screens.
Throughout the 6-week session students will work on scenes that will include Shakespeare, Moliere, and improvised scenarios that incorporate the expressiveness of Commedia into sitcom size work. The class will present work on The Continuum Theater stage (La Pietra’s unique amphitheater), as well as an original 17thcentury outdoor Commedia stage as they present a Moliere piece for the Florentine public.
Note: Students should wait to receive their admissions notification and confirmation that the program is running prior to purchasing airline tickets. Students accepted to the program should purchase refundable airline tickets and/or travel insurance in the event the program is canceled or program dates are changed due to world events. It is strongly recommended that students purchase insurance for trip cancellation, flight cancellation, luggage loss or damage, as well as medical and accident coverage.
Housing*:
Single - Villa Colletta or Villa Natalia (with meal plan): $4,160
Double - Villa Colletta or Villa Natalia (with meal plan): $3,640
Triple - Villa Colletta or Villa Natalia (with meal plan): $3,440
Quad - Villa Colletta or Villa Natalia (with meal plan): $3,320
Students are responsible for arranging their own transportation to/from the program.
*Estimated, based on summer 2024 rates
Students are responsible for any COVID-19 testing required to travel to the program location and to return home. For the length of the program, students will be enrolled in GeoBlue Health Insurance. Students traveling beyond the dates of the program are encouraged to enroll themselves in GeoBlue Health Insurance.
