When I was in highschool my theatre class studied Commedia Dell’ Arte for our entire year! It was one of the best experiences of my life. I really had the opportunity to delve into the world of improv and creating characters. When we first started to study Commedia we first started with the art of improve. Without us knowing it, a lot of the scenarios that we created as a class together and performed portrayed many of the stock characters from the orgins of commedia. We had yet to learn about these commedia characters, but once we did we started to fully grasp how commedia and it’s characters has influenced our story telling skill still today.
These characters, the lovers, the servants, the wingman, the overly proud macho man, the creepy old rich guy, and the jokester, have all been apart of our entertainment culture. I want to ask: what connections have you seen between the Commedia stock characters of yesteryear and the films, tv shows, and theatre we have today. I’m excited to see what you all come up with!
I have posted a video above of a Commedia production we studied in high school! Enjoy!!! 
-Bradley
