Deep Dive into Commedia: Scenes, Voice, and Movement

About Chiara:
Chiara is a distinguished Movement instructor at RADA's MA Theatre Lab and a lecturer at renowned institutions such as Rose Bruford College, East15 Acting School, Goldsmiths University, and Accademia dell'Arte in Arezzo, Italy.

Her extensive teaching experience includes specialized training in Commedia dell'Arte, where her expertise and skillfulness are widely recognized and highly sought after.

In addition to her academic roles, Chiara has earned acclaim as a film actress for her performances in Peter Strickland's Berberian Sound Studio and The Duke of Burgundy.

More information: https://chiaradanna.com/

All workshops can be booked individually, so you can choose the ones that best suit your interests and schedule. 

However, we strongly recommend the full package for a more immersive experience. 

Special offer 

PACKAGE for all 3 days

A 100€ deposit secures your spot once received. 

The remaining balance is due around 6 weeks before the event.

FRIDAY 18 October (4 hours)

15:00-19:00 Commedia Scenes Work: Masters & Servants Relationship

Main Focus Areas:

• Exploring the power dynamics between masters (those in power) and servants (those without power).
• Developing scenes that subvert the status quo for comedic effect.
• Understanding the importance of playing with status in performance.
• Constantly shifting between high and low status on stage.

• Masks:
• Pantalone & Doctor: Physical transformation.
• Zanni: Imaginative text work for nonsensical monologues.

• Key Elements:
• Physical transformation of Zanni and Pantalone.
• Imaginative text work for the Doctor.
• Understanding status and power dynamics.

Regular: 79€

Location: Alte Wursterei - Studio Cologne Ehrenfeld

A 50 € deposit secures your spot once received. The cancellation policy applies. The remaining balance is due around 6 weeks before the event.

SATURDAY 19 October (6 hours plus a 1-hour break)

11:00-13:00 Movement Workshop

Main Focus Areas:

• Useful for all performers, not just those in Commedia dell'Arte.
• Enhancing space awareness.
• Working in ensembles and pairs to communicate through body language.
• Understanding tempo-rhythm in performance.

14:00-18:00 Commedia Scenes Work: Couples' Relationship: Lovers & Servants

Main Focus Areas:

• Examining the relationship between different types of lovers in classic Commedia dell'Arte scenarios.
• Contrasting the aristocratic Young Lovers with the energetic servants, Arlecchino and Colombina.

• Masks:
• Young Lovers: Elegant, light, and naive.
• Arlecchino & Colombina: Energetic, earthy, and mischievous.

• Key Elements:
• Differentiating between the two sets of lovers.
• Mastering entrances and exits.
• Working on tempo-rhythm and partnership.

Early bird: 99€ 

Regular: 119€

Location: Alte Wursterei - Studio Cologne Ehrenfeld

A 50 € deposit secures your spot once received. The cancellation policy applies. The remaining balance is due around 6 weeks before the event.

SUNDAY 20 October (6 hours plus a 1-hour break)

11:00-13:00 Voice Workshop

Main Focus Areas:

• Working with grotesque characters.
• Utilizing sounds, onomatopoeia, and invented languages (grummelot / gibberish).
• Connecting voice and body.
• Exploring the musicality of sounds.
• Imaginative use of voice and sounds.

14:00-18:00 Commedia Scenes Work: Captains' Fights and their Servants

Main Focus Areas:

• Interactions between Captains and their servants.
• Exploring masks with varied physical and vocal qualities.
• Examining power dynamics, status, and subversion of the status quo.
• Generating laughter through conflict and obstacles.

• Masks:
• Captains: Grand entrances, bravado, and internal obstacles.
• Brighella (First Zanni) & Pulcinella: External obstacles and mirroring Captains.

• Key Elements:
• Grand entrances and collapses of Captains.
• Crescendo and clashes between two Captains.
• Mirroring dynamics between Captains and their servants.

Regular: 119€

Location: Alte Wursterei - Studio Cologne Ehrenfeld

A 50 € deposit secures your spot once received. The cancellation policy applies. The remaining balance is due around 6 weeks before the event.