Commedia dell’arte is a 16th Century masked acting form. It’s the basis of all comedy and it’s a form that many teachers want to include in their curriculum.
Instructor Todd Espeland has designed two courses that work hand-in-hand with teaching this fantastic physical form.
In Commedia II: Style - Todd moves on to the specific style of Commedia dell’arte. This includes a history of commedia, the stock characters and how to physicalize them, sample lazzi and a capstone assignment. The course includes video demonstrations so you can see the exercises and activities in action.
Join Today To Unlock This Course
Already a member? Log in here.
TH:Pr4.1.7.b - Use various character objectives in a drama/theatre work.
7.TH:Pr4.b - Use various character objectives in a drama/theatre work.
6.TH:Cr3.b - Identify effective physical and vocal traits of characters in a drama/theatre work.
TH.912.S.1.6 - Respond appropriately to directorial choices for improvised and scripted scenes.
TH.912.S.2.4 - Sustain a character or follow technical cues in a production piece to show focus.
TH.912.S.2.8 - Strengthen acting skills by engaging in theatre games and improvisations.
TH.912.S.3.3 - Develop acting skills and techniques in the rehearsal process.
B.C.1.2 - Apply vocal elements of volume, pitch, rate, tone, articulation, and vocal expression.
Tennessee Theatre standards (2018) standards were built using the framework of the NCAS which is built on four key domains: Creating, Performing/Presenting/Producing, Connecting, and Responding. Within each of these domains are foundations and standards to support the development of curriculum, programs, and learning.
(source: Tennessee Department of Education, Tennessee Academic Standards for Fine Arts, Summer 2018)
Please refer to National Core Arts Standards to determine the standard that best suits your needs.
B.2.G - create improvised scenes that include setting, character, and plot.
C.1.B - develop and practice theatre preparation and warm-up techniques.
C.1.D - develop and practice effective voice and diction to express thoughts and feelings.
C.4.B - relate historical and cultural influences on theatre.
15 - initiate a dramatic situation in response to a given stimulus
16 - make logical choices spontaneously within the boundaries of situation and character
23 - use varied stimuli for character development
26 - use body language to add physical dimensions and depth to a character
28 - demonstrate how attitude, and change in attitude, affects a character
29 - demonstrate understanding of and apply the concept of status
32 - sustain a character throughout a scene or exercise
5 - create experiences through imaging, visualizing and fantasizing
38 - demonstrate various ways of creating and communicating mood
10 - demonstrate focus, concentration and energy in all movement and gesture
11 - demonstrate the ability to move isolated body parts
19 - demonstrate qualities of energy
21 - demonstrate the ability to extend a movement
23 - demonstrate non-verbally the who, what, where, why and when of a story
29 - use improvisational skills and concepts in exploration of text
15 - use the body and body language to enhance characterization
develop the ability to interact effectively and constructively in a group process
develop the willingness to make a decision, act upon it and accept the results
extend the ability to explore meaning through abstract concepts
Reflect on works of art and creative processes to understand artists’ intentions
Interpret and communicate ideas using symbols and elements to express meaning through the arts
Take creative risks to express feelings, ideas, and experiences
Improvise and take creative risks using imagination, exploration, and inquiry
Improvise and take creative risks using imagination, exploration, and inquiry
A.3.2 - use different acting approaches to explore and depict character in a variety of situations
A.1.3 - create and interpret a wide range of characters using a variety of acting approaches