Moliere And Commedia Dell\u27arte:past, Present, And Future

This thesis will explore the application of comemdia dell\u27arte technique to a contemporary performance. UCF\u27s spring 2005 production of Molière\u27s The Trickeries of Scapin will serve as a resource in both commedia dell\u27arte\u27s ability to resonate with a modern audience as well as an analysis of the actor\u27s process in fusing elements of commedia dell\u27arte and contemporary acting techniques. This document will include a thorough description of the history and origins of commedia dell\u27arte in order to decipher existing elements today. Also included, will be major influences on commedia dell\u27arte including Greek and Roman Comedy. It is important to discuss Roman comedic playwrights Plautus and Terence as two major influences on both the style of commedia dell\u27arte as well as major influences on Molière and his writing. A description of both playwrights previously mentioned will be given as means to explore the similarities between the two playwrights and Molière, specifically the similarities of Terence\u27s Phormio and Molière\u27s The Trickeries of Scapin. In addition to exploring the history behind commedia dell\u27arte and Molière, this thesis will include the rehearsal process of creating a contemporary version of Molière\u27s Zerbinette. The application of the previous two years of graduate work including studies of Laban, Linklater, and Cicely Berry will be used in creating Zerbinette\u27s vocal and physical life in a contemporary fashion, while maintaining certain elements of the commedia dell\u27arte style. In concluding this thesis, the evolution of commedia dell\u27arte will be discussed, and how it is in existence today. Just as commedia dell\u27arte evolved in the seventeenth century from previous art forms, it has never stopped evolving, constantly being influenced by every generation. From Greek Comedy playwrights\u27 such as MeNander, to Roman comedic playwrights such as Plautus and Terence, to farcical and satirist Molière, commedia dell\u27arte does exist today, and will be examined throughout this thesis project