On February 19-24, 2024, a Finnish actor, director, and pedagogue Tiia-Mari Mäkinen will run the intensive workshop “The Art of Commedia dell’Arte” for the 3rd year Acting and Directing students of the Latvian Academy of Culture. Tiia-Mari Mäkinen about the workshop: “The workshop is a physical and playful introduction into the world of Commedia dell’Arte. We will put the body and the performer in the centre of the action, and explore different qualities of movement, rhythm, precision, and character work. By being introduced to the half masks of Commedia, the participants will explore how the mask extends itself to the actors’ body, voice, and mind. At the masterclass we will explore the history, physicality, voice, motivations, and social hierarchy of the central characters known from the Commedia dell’Arte.
The students will improvise Commedia canovaccios (basic texts) and create their own scenarios.
