Commedia dell'Arte: Contemporary Practitioners

Commedia dell’Arte: Contemporary Practitioners offers insights into the visions, methods, practices, and impact of some of the most influential working artists in this highly specialized field.

A series of more than 20 in-depth interviews with leading artists and companies whose theatrical output is informed by the practices and methods of Commedia dell’Arte probe the origins and approaches of traditionalists and innovators alike, examining points of connection and points of departure between practitioners on several continents. Tracing their journeys in apprenticeship and training, exploring the nature of working with masks, interrogating tradition, and examining the role of commedia in modern theater, these actors, directors, and creators forge paths from the streets to the road to international renown – each unique, all united in their passion for the form and their commitment to its renewal. Framed by a close investigation of the background of commedia and a final summary that places the interviews in a larger historical context, this book seeks to capture the voices of many of the signature modern artists around the globe who sustain and challenge the inimitable traditions of Commedia dell’Arte.

This volume is ideal for students, researchers, and practitioners of Commedia dell’Arte, Clowning, and Theatre History.

David Bridel is an artist, scholar, author, and educator, and the Founding and Artistic Director of The Clown School in Los Angeles, USA, an organization devoted to the study and practice of clowning and related theater arts. His work as a playwright, director, teacher, and choreographer has been seen in theaters, opera houses, and festivals around the world.

Fabio Motta is an award-winning performer, director, and teaching artist based in Melbourne (Naarm) Australia. He has had the fortune of performing and devising shows in Australia, Europe, and the United States. In Melbourne, he is the Founder and Director of The Clowning Workshop, a school dedicated to disciplines such as clowning, Commedia dell’Arte, voice, mask work, and related disciplines.