Commedia dell'arte

Commedia dell'arte (Italian, meaning "comedy of professional artists") was a form of improvisational theater which began in the 16th century and was popular until the 18th century, although it is still performed today. Traveling teams of players would set up an outdoor stage and provide amusement in the form of juggling, acrobatics, and, more typically, humorous plays based on a repertoire of established characters with a rough storyline, called Canovaccio.

The Commedia today

Commedia dell'arte has experienced periods of dormancy and revival since its inception. Commedia had all but disappeared till it was revived by Giorgio Strehler at the Piccolo teatro of Milan. Current American commedia dell'arte troupes include The Dell'Arte School in , Tutti Frutti in San Francisco and i Sebastiani in New England.

Related Topics:
Dell'Arte School - Tutti Frutti - I Sebastiani

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