ISTA Encore

Step into the vibrant world of Commedia dell’Arte, one of the most influential and enduring theatrical traditions in European history. Led by international performer and director Chiara D’Anna, this comprehensive on-demand course uncovers the rich cultural, historical, and artistic legacy of Commedia and equips you with practical tools to bring its timeless techniques into your own creative practice or classroom. Across six engaging modules, you’ll explore Commedia’s fascinating origins, its archetypal stock characters, and the improvisational and physical techniques that defined this groundbreaking form of professional theatre. Through a mix of in-depth lessons, dynamic workshop footage with students from the American School of The Hague, and hands-on exercises, you’ll learn how to embody characters, work with masks, build comedic routines, and adapt traditional scenarios for contemporary audiences.