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Drama students are practicing the commedia dellarte form of acting once a week with a teacher professionally trained in the style.
Actor and teacher Paoli Lacey comes to Lowells drama classes every Wednesday to instruct students in the style, which originated in Italy as a form of street theater.
When the commedia dellarte style was performed in the streets of Italy in the 1400s, the plays had to hold the attention of the general public, so the topics were usually raunchy. The dialogue is quick-witted, but its all about low, gross humor, drama teacher Teresa Bookwalter said.
"The dialogue is quick-witted, but it's all about low, gross humor"
TERESA BOOKWALTER
drama teacher |
Commedia players improvise skits and use masks, props and elaborate costumes to help enhance the storyline. Although parts are mainly equal in commedia plays, masks are reserved for the important characters. The actors who do not wear masks can rely on their facial expressions, costumes or other props to assist in portraying their character.
In every commedia play, each character has its own lazzi, or typical repeated action. This comedic device can be used to develop a character, engage the audience or enhance the story.
The years of preparation it takes for a commedia actor to perfect their craft is one of the reasons why the acting style is not widely performed.
Although there arent any Lowell drama students professionally trained in commedia, some students have performed in the style outside of school. Their skit was based on what would happen if two stupinas, or ugly ducklings, were to meet each other. We mirrored what the other did and used the stage to express what meeting would be like, Drexler said.
Commedia del arte has been a part of Lowells drama classes for at least five years now. Jeff Raz, another actor trained in the commedia style, was the first commedia-trained actor to teach the style to Lowell students. He was paid with a grant from the Alumni Association. Lowells Alumni Committee continues to pay for the commedia del arte instruction.
Bookwalter added commedia to her students curriculum to broaden their exposure to a specific acting skill.
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