1. Using ‘Stock Characters’
Commedia Dell’Arte
Using ‘Stock Characters’

2. Yesterday’s Lesson
Using ‘tension states’ is a method of getting into character that allows the actor to recall and explore different levels of emotions
We demonstrated using different tension states by improvising a mime about friends going to a shopping centre.
Some tension states we explored were
Exhausted
Laidback
Neutral
Alert
Suspense
Passionate
Tragic

3. Yesterday’s Lesson
We also explored in the last part of the lesson ‘Centres of leading’. Centres of leading is the part of the body that appears to lead gestures, such as the chest as a leading centre for a brave character.
Some Centres of leading we explored were
Leading with your nose
Leading with your shoulders and chest
Leading with your knees

4. Commedia Dell’Arte
Artist’s Comedy

5. A form of theatre developed in late-Renaissance Italy, Commedia Dell'Arte ("artists' comedy") relied on a group of stock characters, whose roles, characteristics, and costumes were well-defined and widely known. It is a form of improvisational comedy
A stock character is a character who is instantly recognizable to us from other stories; the grumpy grandpa, the snooty cheerleader, the bratty younger sibling
Commedia Dell'Arte originated in streets and market places of Italy, although it's roots can be traced as far back as far as Ancient Greek and Roman Theatre.
These Italian street performers, donning masks with exaggerated comic features to draw additional attention to themselves and complement their physical and acrobatic skills, eventually teamed up in troupes of actors often with a travelling .

6. Commedia Dell’Arte Characters

7. Pantalone His name means something like “Mr. Big Pants
Pantalone His name means something like “Mr. Big Pants.” A wealthy, miserly old man
Mask: a hooked nose, wrinkled face, bushy eyebrows.

8. Il Dottore “The Doctor,” a smug, know-it-all professor, who really
knows nothing.
Mask: a round, stubby nose like a pig, chubby cheeks, bushy eyebrows or a moustache.

9. Il Capitano “The Captain,” a boasting, bragging macho soldier, who is actually a coward underneath.
Mask: a long nose, wide eyes, sometimes an exaggerated handle bar moustache

10. Arlecchino “Harlequin,” the nimble, acrobatic, tricky servant
Arlecchino “Harlequin,” the nimble, acrobatic, tricky servant. Childlike, sometimes not too bright, but usually wins out in the end.
Mask: a sly, cat-like face, with a short nose

11. Brighella His name means something like “Brawler” (“Knuckles "or “Bruiser” – someone ready for a fight). The tough-guy servant, a good liar, always out for himself
Mask: A green half-mask with a greedy expression

12. Columbina “Little dove
Columbina “Little dove.” The wise-cracking maid, usually the smartest character. Flirtatious and playful
Mask: sometimes masked (with a small half-mask), sometimes not

13. Gli Innamorati
The lovers were Fabio for the boy, Isabella for the girl They were Young, graceful and attractive, they wore fashionable clothes and no masks. They could be slightly vain and not always bright – in love with themselves a bit too much – but they were sincere.

14. Commedia Stock Characters used in today’s comedies!

15. Futurama Arlecchino: Fry Colombina: Leela Brighella: Bender
Pantalone: Professor Farnsworth
Il Dottore: Dr. Zoidberg
Il Capitano: Zap Branigan
Innamorati: Amy and Kif

16. Pantalone: the old miser, thin, miserable, evil - Mr Burns
The Simpsons
Pantalone: the old miser, thin, miserable, evil - Mr Burns
Il Dottore: has a position of authority, thinks he knows it all, but is in fact quite stupid and gluttonous - Chief Wiggum
Arlecchino: Mischievous, impish fool. Of a low intelligence, except when it comes to pranking figures of authority – Bart
Columbina :The intelligent, beautiful and wily female servant. The one who sorts out the problems. Can be mischievous herself – Lisa
Isabella: A slightly older, female figure of authority who is in charge, often sorts out problems and often lusted after by the male characters - Marge