AVAILABLE NOW:
A DIGITAL COMMEDIA DELL’ARTE INTRODUCTORY CLASS!
We know that bringing in a Commedia practitioner to teach and talk about the form is expensive and sometimes impractical. So we have put together a video lesson with a companion lesson plan to allow any teacher to integrate Commedia into their classroom.
For an affordable price of $25 we will send along the resource package to teachers, which will include:
A single video that you can play for a 45 minute class that covers all the basics.
A companion lesson plan with engaging discussions and activities to integrate around the video, allowing teachers to teach an interactive lesson alongside the video.
If interested, please fill out this following form and we will get back to you with more information (keep an eye on your spam).
Our Workshops
The form we employ requires a great deal of precision, so training is essential. Over the years, we have developed a series of exercises that allow us to share our love of masked physical performance with students of all ages and levels:
We do a quick mask introduction and exploration that can fit into a high school or university class.
We do multi-day physical theatre intensives culminating in group projects and performances.
We do in-depth lectures and demonstrations around the history and traditional masks and archetypes of Commedia dell'Arte.
We can tailor our materials and exercises to the needs of any group, regardless of experience level, age, and group size.
We also have performances that can pair with any workshop to provide context. Learn more about our menu of shows here!
We Provide Everything!
From masks to lesson plans, we can provide all the materials for you to create the best experience for your students. Whether you are looking for videos, live teaching artists, digital or in-person formats, everything is completely customizable. View a sample lesson plan from our 6-session course HERE.
Masks in rentable set include:
Zanni, Arlecchino, Brighella, Pulcinella, Pedrolino, Dottore, Pantalone, and Capitano.
Interested in workshops?
Fill out a form to get in touch with us!
“The performance and the actors themselves inspired me to participate in more performances around my school. I really hope to meet them again one day!”
— Ramzee Williams, student at Parkview Arts and Science Magnet High School
"The workshop was a huge help to me. I now have a huge list of different warm-up activities to do before any performance I’m in."
- Blaze Zink, 10th Grade
“The Tut’Zanni Company brought the historical form of Commedia Dell’Arte alive for my students. The theatricality of their performance exemplified the art of making the most of any performance environment, and their interactive workshop exposed students to new physical theatre methods and exercises. Tut’Zanni makes the old new again!”
THE TUT’ZANNI Process
We take inspiration from Commedia dell’Arte, a masked style of Italian street theatre from around the 16th century. Masked physical performance depends on a precise form, with rules and techniques that dictate how it is performed. This allows us to be clear, make strong statements and a lot of hilarious mistakes.
We don’t work from a script.
We have a general outline of what's needs to happen, and the characters play their way from point A to point B. We use masks and archetypes to help us develop characters, and spend a lot of time tossing them together and improvising scenes. We say yes to everything. We play hard. By the time we get on stage, we have strong characters that are ready to interact with each other and the audience.