Tinamarie Ivey

The Duelist

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A commedia dell'arte play developed through improv from a scenario.  My work in commedia began over ten years ago and includes training with Antonio Fava.  In this production, actors developed dialogue and lazzi as well as staging a comedic sword fight.

Commedia dell'arte is the origin of our modern slapstick comedy, literally the name sake of the wooden prop seen in paintings of this art form.  Though in its purest form casting is very traditional (albeit women were allowed on stage in these shows unlike earlier forms of theatre throughout the world. )

Because of this tradition the cast and I were very interested in exploring gender bending ideas pertaining to casting and subject matter.   What evolved was a smart and culturally relevant story told through physical comedy and an original score!