Commedia Dell'Arte

Learning Objective The students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of Commedia Dell’Arte by participating in a Jeopardy game.

Learning Objective Students will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of stock characters by participating in an improvisation game.

Learning Objective Students will be able to understand the role movement plays in creating Commedia Dell’Arte characters by demonstrating the differences in characters walks through participating in an improvised scene.

Learning Objective Students will be able to demonstrate understanding of plays influenced by Commedia Dell’ Arte by reading a section of Tartuffe and completing a comprehensive worksheet.

Learning Objective Student will be able to demonstrate their knowledge of Commedia Del’ Art’s characters by creating a mask that is well researched taking into consideration status, power, and animal like nature.

Learning Objective- Students will demonstrate knowledge of the conventions of Commedia performing by outlining a 2 minute improvised scene using dialogue. Materials Needed-Copies of Tartuffe, Copies of Character Sheets, Outline of a ScenarioHook-

Welcome. Give the students 3 minutes to show their masks they have painted and decorated to their classmates.

Step One- DiscussionRecap. Last week we made masks but the class before that we read a section from Tartuffe. Ask the class, What did you like about the play? What were your overall observations?

Step Two-Partner DiscussionTurn to a person near you and discuss, “What different types of stock characters did you see present in the section that we read as a class”? Tartuffe- Villian

Learning Objective-

Students will demonstrate knowledge of commedia characters and rules of improvisation by rehearsing their improvised scenarios in their acting troupes.

Materials Needed-Large performing space, string, costumesHook-Welcome the students. Have them clear the tables and chairs off to the side of the room. Play bomb and shield with the class. Tell the students to pick one person who is their bomb and pick a different person to be the shield. The goal is to keep your shield in between you and your bomb at all times. If I call out freeze and you are not you are dead. Drop to the floor. Then move off to the sides and watch more rounds.

Step One-InstructionShow the class how to make holes in their masks for string to go through. Have supplies ready for them to put string through their masks. Once everyone is clear on what to do have them come up and put the finishing touches on their mask.

Step Two-TransitionGet with your acting troupes. Finish your outline of your scenario. You will turn this in with your final performance to show proof of your preparation. Make sure all of your names are on it.

Step Three-PracticeGive the students time to rehearse their scenes. Remind them they need to be 2 minutes long and come to some type of ending spot.

Step Four- Group PreviewAfter about 20-30 minutes of rehearsal time have the students get with one another group and preview their scenarios for one another.

Step Five- CostumesMeet with your troupe again and figure out what costume pieces you will need. Once you have agreed upon a list of things you need—those things you are getting from the school send one person into the costume room to retrieve them.Step Six-Run your scenarios in full mask and costume one time before class is over.ASSESSMENT: Students will demonstrate knowledge of improvisation and Commedia characters by practicing a scenario in a troupe.

SUPPLEMENTS: None.

Learning Objective- Students will demonstrate their understanding of Commedia Dell’Arte by performing improvised scenarios in costume and with masks in front of the class.Materials Needed- Open performing spaceHook-Give the students 5 minutes to warm up, get into costume, and review with their groups.Step One- InstructionHave each group perform their scenes.Step Two-DiscussionAfter each group has performed ask the class what is something you enjoyed learning about in this unit? What influences of Commedia Dell’Arte is still seen in society today?ASSESSMENT: Show understanding of the Commedia Dell’Arte period in history by performing an improvised scene.SUPPLEMENTS: None