Commedia dell’Arte Lesson, Activities and Play

This 3 hour lesson on the Italian theatrical tradition of commedia dell’arte has students learning relevant terms in Italian, doing research and presenting on common stock characters of the tradition, and then acting out a short play!

How can I use it?:

-as a cultural addition to an existing unit

-as a self-contained cultural lesson

-as a quick lesson for a substitute teacher

Who is it for?:

-Italian Students in Grades 6-12

-Novice level students or above

At the end of the lesson, students will be able to:

-describe the costumes and personalities of stock characters of the commedia dell’arte tradition

-enact a short commedia dell’arte play (in Italian and/or English)

Includes:

-28 pages of content

-detailed instructions and ideas for use

-INB vocabulary with explanations in English and/or Italian

-dynamic game for vocabulary practice

-activity for research and presentation on common stock characters

-instructions and materials to put on a short play

-mask templates to decorate