Short modules

3 month intensive : 13th February – 13th May 2023

3 months intensive: 19th September – 19th December 2022

Melodrama: Melodrama has a bad name in theatre circles even though it is tremendously popular in film and TV the world over. Melodrama emerged in the mid 19^th century as an art form addressing the social and economic circumstances of the time. The similar circumstances we face today make melodrama a very relevant theatre form. During this study the students discover what makes this style alive on stage and relevant to the lives of today’s public. They also develop the movement skills unique to melodrama and vital to making the style come alive. The study of melodrama explores that dramatic territory that lies between farce and tragedy touching both at opposite extremes – the comic and the tragic. Working as an ensemble, the students discover how they can move the public’s emotions between these extremes by studying those demands particular to the melodramatic space.

Tragedy: Important aspects of tragedy are the chorus and the tragic space. During the study of tragedy, the students develop a fundamental understanding of the chorus. They can then transpose that phenomenon to the other styles, enriching their broader work. The tragic space, being very particular and a dominant aspect of this style, gives the students an immediate sense of the spatial demands of a particular style. These particular demands are discovered in movement, voice and text.

Buffoon:  The Buffoon is the more intelligent cousin of the clown. The difference between the buffoon and the clown, is that the clown is alone while the buffoon is part of a gang. Another key difference is that  we make fun of the clown, while the buffoon makes fun of us. Many aspects of the buffoon relate directly to other styles. The tragic space, the fantastic level of play, the foolish logic, and the direct contact with the public are part of the buffoon’s playbook. This study reveals to the students how different styles can be used in the same piece. Students discover how to confront the public about sensitive current social issues in a manner that is effective and yet not destructive. The theatrical study of the buffoon is a study of human folly touching both the tragic and comic extremes. During this study, the students discover another aspect of the stock character, the grotesque aspect.

Includes a 5-day workshop (24.-28. Oct) with voice coach Clair Le C from Lunatraktors.

3 months intensive: 27th February – 26th May 2023

Cabaret: The period of cabaret study involves each student creating performing material that is very personal in nature with an emphasis on writing, composing and staging songs. This study pushes the limits of the student’s creativity in areas not otherwise explored, like stand up comedy, magic, burlesque and other more or less obscure areas of performing. For us at The Commedia School, it is important that the students create performance level material in each of these styles. Shows in each style are staged in the school studio and often are later performed in other venues in Copenhagen or at festivals in Denmark and abroad. These performances confirm for the students the attractive power of popular theatre styles.

Commedia: [quote author=” Jacques Lecoq“]The Commedia Dell’Arté rests on the passions of men and women pushed to their limit.  It shows the absurdity of our behaviour.  It has nothing to do with elegant entertainment, but expresses the urgency of living, closer to survival than to life, the latter already a luxury.  Planted in the misery of the people, in their naiveté as well as their intelligence, Commedia Dell’Arté reflects the hierarchy of a stable society, without the possibility that the valet will revolt against his master.  Everyone manages, with all possible compromises, to exist and satisfy his hunger, his greed, his amorous desires; all living together.  Everyone tries to cheat and everyone falls into ridiculous traps.  The smile does not exist.  One weeps or one laughs. [/quote]