What is Commedia dell'arte?

The use of masks in Commedia dell’arte dates back to 16th-century Italy, these masks were created to represent recognizable character types—like the scheming servant, the boastful soldier, or the clueless old man—and were used to tell stories that people from all walks of life could relate to.

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It’s important to know that these masks aren’t meant to represent specific races or ethnic groups. Instead, they highlight personality traits and behaviors we can all recognize—greed, pride, cleverness, silliness—and bring those traits to life through physicality, voice, and movement.

 

We use these masks not to stereotype, but to celebrate a rich theatrical tradition that allows actors to transform, exaggerate, and play in ways that are bold, funny, and deeply human.