Clowns and Commedia Come to Summer Camp

July 9, 2014

There were lots of laughs to be had today when some pretty hilarious characters took over Encore’s summer programs.

This morning, Matthew Pauli of Faction of Fools Theatre Company (company in residence at Galludet University in Washington, DC) taught a workshop for Scenes for Tweens about the “art” in Commedia dell’Arte. For those of you who aren’t familiar Italian Renaissance theatre (as our campers now are), Commedia dell’Arte is a style of improvised comedy theatre that employs a set of classic character types (and their unique physicality). Commedia is often associated with the expressive masks (pictured below, on Paul) worn by the actors to partly distinguish their characters. The other important element of Commedia characters is their physicality. Just as each character has his or her own personality, they each have their own way of standing, moving, and resting. With the help of Faction of Fools, Scenes of Tweens learned how to move like a Zanni (the servant), a Pantalone (the miser), a Doctore (the intellectual), a Capitano (the soldier), and a lover.

Fun Fact about Commedia: The Commedia troupes in 16th century Italy were the first theatre groups to allow women on the stage (at this point in history, young boys were still playing the famous heroines in other parts of Europe. That’s right—a boy played Juliet!).

While Scenes for Tweens was transported to Italy, the campers at It’s Elementary were learning a little French with some classy clowns from Happenstance Theater. Happenstance Artistic Directors Mark Jaster and Sabrina Mandell graced the Taylor Elementary School as the clown duo Pinot & Augustine. The show included impressive mime work, reminiscent of Jaster’s famous teacher Marcel Marceau, and a musical hacksaw performance.

Another amazing day at Encore Stage & Studio is at an end, but if you want to get in on the summer fun, be sure to check out Stage Door and Tech Camp’s upcoming performance of Peter Pan Jr! (Thursday, July 10 at 7:30 pm and Friday, July 11 at 2 pm)

For more information about these performers and their theatre companies, please visit their websites:
Faction of Fools
Happenstance Theater