Commedia Dell'Arte

The St. Ambrose University Theatre Department's final main stage show for the 2014-2015 school year will be A Night of Commedia Dell'Arte.

Commedia originated in 15^th century Italy as an art form that connects its audience to what is happening. Commedia is a true form of comedy. If the audience doesn't seem to be enjoying what the cast is doing, they will switch to a funnier bit. This means that there are planned bits, but the order and sometimes transitions are improvised. The show is being directed by Daniel Rairdin-Hale. There are ten "usual" characters in a commedia show, 4 innamorati (lovers), 3 vecchi (old men), and 3 zanni (servants). The cast of SAU's production is as follows:

Innamorati (Lovers):
Isabella- Alexis Greene ('15)
Oratio- Nevada Nilsson ('18)
Silvio- Vince Solis ('16)
Flaminia- Kayla Lansing ('18)

Vecchi (Old Men):
Pantalone- Jackson Green ('17)
Dottore- Sam Jones ('17)
Capitano- Amelia Fischer ('16)

Zanni (Servants):
Arlecchino- Brooke Schelly ('15)
Colombina- Rachael Pribulsky ('17)
Brighella- Meghan Cessna ('17)  

The stage manager is Shannon Rourke who also will fill the role of an extra zanni, as was common in original Commedia where there was no stage manager but a Capocomico, who was the head actor, or 'actor/manager.'  

Commedia rehearsals began February 4 with workouts to get into shape for gymnastics training which started February 24. The director and cast have also started working hard on developing ideas for the show, which will be slightly different each time it is performed April 17-19 at the Galvin Fine Arts Center on the SAU campus. After doing the show at SAU, the Commedia troupe will travel to area schools the following week.  

"I'm extremely excited for this show because it's such an amazing opportunity," actor Meghan Cessna said. "It's not every day you get cast to do a form of theatre from the 15^th century that includes acrobatics, slapstick, and getting to work as a troupe. It's been SO much fun!"

Actor Kayla Lansing also weighed in saying "it's a different style of theatre that I have never done before, and it's a very unique experience. It's going to be so cool building a show from scratch and touring it around the Davenport area."   

"I'm incredibly excited for the Commedia show," said stage manager Shannon Rourke. "As a stage manager, it's been strange because there isn't a script. So I am training and creating along with the actors. We are learning gymnastics, mask training, stage combat, and improv. Then, on top of that, we are working out almost every day. (Those Dan Hale workouts are anything but easy. We'll all have our beach bods in no time!) Our physical work as actors is improving so much. Also, it couldn't be a better ensemble of people. This cast is already so close and I'm so excited to show people what we've been on!"  

"This is my first time ever doing anything with theater!" said actor Nevada Nilsson. "I have always loved movies, and especially the actors, so having the opportunity to become friends with and learn from the actors in the Commedia cast is a special experience for me. I've always liked entertaining my friends by being goofy, except now I have the opportunity to do that on a stage for Commedia. I'm nervous but excited for that!"