Antaeus Theatre Company – Antaeus's Online Auction
Auction Ends: Oct 8, 2011 03:00 AM PDT

Unique Experiences

Commedia Dell'Arte Workshop

Item Number
126
Estimated Value
Priceless
Sold
375 USD to R_Nathan
Number of Bids
1  -  Bid History

Item Description

Embrace your inner Comedian with Commedia Master John Achorn. John will lead a workshop on the basics of Commedia Dell'Arte, focusing on masks, characters, history, basic scenarios. Tablework and physical exercises combine to help students develop their personal Commedia dell'Arte characters and style.  No previous experience neccessary.  

John Achorn is an actor, director and teacher. He has specialized in the commedia dell’Arte for over 40 years. He studied under the late Carlo Mazzone-Clementi, with whom he helped found the noted Dell’Arte School in Humboldt County, where he has returned several times over the years to teach commedia. As a Visiting Assistant Professor, Mr. Achorn has taught acting and directed productions at The University of Redlands, UCLA, USC, UC San Diego, UC Riverside, UC Santa Cruz and The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. He has presented film discussions of seminal comedy movies in conjunction with his commedia instruction, with an emphasis on silent clowns/comics, the early talkie pioneers and screwball comedies. In his course on the History of Comedy at Emeritus College, he has examined British film comedy, the screwball comedy tradition, and the rise and development of the TV Sitcom. He currently teaches Shakespeare, American Novel and History of Comedy at Santa Monica Emeritus College. Mr. Achorn also is involved with the Virginia Avenue Project where he teaches at-risk teens Creative Dramatics.

He has recently translated and adapted the play A Sensible Girl by Jean de Palaprat (1692), and is working on a documentary on Carlo-Mazzone-Clementi.

Donated By:

John Achorn