|
 Class Plan #5
.
Exercise
#1
Plot / Counter Plot.
The class will
now write a short Commedia piece of about 15 minutes using
the plot / counter plot idea. Break the class up into
groups of 7 or 8. They will develop the sketch using
whichever characters they want from the nine described to
date. Give them the whole class time to write and
improvise and then as many classes as you have to rehearse
before you give them the final presentation date. (This
of course depends on how long the individual teacher has
planned to work with Commedia Dell'Arte in their curriculum
schedule.)
Objectives: (Incorporate
all previous objectives and skills learned.)
Notes:
1)
Keep the plot and counter plot as simple as possible.
2)
Listen and remember what you are told. Accept the plot
and do not block the improv. This is key to keeping it
simple.
3)
Remember that the comedy is in the characters' reactions and
their physical play not necessarily the dialogue.
Sacrificing the physical play for verbal jokes defeats the
theatrical style you are learning and will make the play
boring and difficult to watch.
4)
If the student is stuck for a 'signature' then give them
suggestions that are physical. For example;
Pantalone enters counting the money in his money bag by
either singing or doing the 'money' dance. He/she
enters complaining of an ailment such as a trick knee, back
pain, etc. Arlecchino enters always announcing himself
the same way or jumps through the door or cartwheels, or
runs into the room and passes the person who calls him
forcing him to stop and look around thinking that no one is
there. Brighella enters always eating something.
Each character has something that is based in their
personality.
5)
As in the Graphics style class plans it is important for the
students to write and create by physically doing and not
sitting down to write. The dialogue should
therefore come from the physical over exaggeration which in
most cases will be more comical and enjoyable than written
'jokes.'
End of Class #5
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