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In this lesson students further explore status and using status to communicate physically through a variety of games. Students are also introduced to the game “Do It Get It Done” which will be re-visited throughout the unit.

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Appetite

by Todd Espeland

This lesson introduces the second tool: appetite. An appetite is a primal need that drives a character in a scene.

Attachments

Impulse Improv Video Demo

Swing

by Todd Espeland

be important later on when it comes to applying the Commedia Dell’arte style to characters and lazzi. This lesson introduces the third tool: swing. Swing is the idea that a comedic character can move between two emotions, or two needs,immediately.

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Intention/Invention

by Todd Espeland

This lesson introduces the fourth tool: intention/invention. Intention is what a character wants (it can also be called their need). Invention is the thing they need to invent to get their need.

Attachments

Do it Intention Video Demo

Mid-Unit Assignment

by Todd Espeland

The mid-unit assignment requires students to prepare, rehearse, and memorize a scene using the tools learned in Part One of the unit.

History of Commedia

by Todd Espeland

This lesson presents the history of Commedia; where it came from and introduces the main characters. It comes with a viewing quiz and reflection.

Attachments

History of Commedia Slide Presentation

Commedia Characters

by Todd Espeland

This lesson focuses on the characters of Commedia including who they are, what they’re like and places that we can see them in modern society.

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Character History

Character Personality

by Todd Espeland

In this lesson students will start to physicalize Commedia characters by introducing the Character Zero concept, the Character Hop, and the poses of Arlecchino.

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Character Walks

by Todd Espeland

In this lesson, students will see a demonstration of two character walks and practice those walks.

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Character Walks: Part Two

by Todd Espeland

In this lesson, students will see a demonstration of three character walks and practice those walks.

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Lazzi

by Todd Espeland

In this lesson, students will be introduced to lazzi. Lazzi are solo comic beats to show off a character and their needs. Students will then create and perform a solo lazzi.

Status and Swing in Character

by Todd Espeland

In this lesson, students apply previously learned comedy elements of status and swing to Commedia characters.

Final Assignment

by Todd Espeland

There are two possible assignments for this unit. One that will take a week of class time, including performances and one that can be completed in a class period.

# Theatre History # ancient greek theatre

Ancient Greek Theatre: It's All Greek to Me

by Lea Marshall

This hyperdoc unit is designed to have students independently discover Ancient Greek Theatre. The unit is broken down into nine sections with multiple activities and includes a culminating activity.

Attachments

Introduction

by Lindsay Price

The Comedy of Manners is a style of comedy that uses satire to highlight the behaviours, actions, fashions, and “manners” of a segment of society. In this lesson students discuss the nature of comedies that make fun of a group of people and the definition of satire. They are taken through a slide deck that introduces the background and style elements of the comedy of manners. Students also complete a Viewing Quiz.

Attachments

The Comedy of Manners Slide Show

Manners and Codes in the Comedy of Manners

by Lindsay Price

The comedy of manners is a style of comedy that uses satire to highlight the behaviours, actions, fashions, and “manners” of a segment of society. Students will explore the element of manners and codes of behaviour in a modern context, and then look at how the element is applied to a scene from The Importance of Being Earnest.

Verbal Comedy in the Comedy of Manners

by Lindsay Price

The comedy of manners is a style of comedy that uses satire to highlight the behaviours, actions, fashions, and “manners” of a segment of society. Students will explore aspects of verbal comedy in a modern context and then look at how the element is applied to a scene from The Importance of Being Earnest.

Characters in the Comedy of Manners

by Lindsay Price

The Comedy of Manners is a style of comedy that uses satire to highlight the behaviours, actions, fashions, and “manners” of a segment of society. Students will explore characters in the comedy of manners and then create a comedy of manners character profile with one of the characters from The Importance of Being Earnest.