Curtain Up! Centuries of Italian Theater

Description

Italian theater is not just performance — it is identity, rebellion, and transformation. From masked street performers to Nobel Prize–winning playwrights, this immersive workshop takes you on a journey through centuries of passion, satire, and innovation. Discover how Italy invented characters that still live on stage today, challenged reality through Pirandello’s genius, and continues to shape global storytelling. A visually rich, interactive experience where history comes alive — and you become part of the scene.

Program

Part one (August 12) – The roots of the stage. From ancient ritual to the birth of modern character

Origins: Greece, Rome & ritual – The deep roots of Italian theater in Greek tragedy, Roman comedy, and the sacred rhythms of community performance.
Commedia dell’Arte – Improvised, irreverent, and irresistible. Meet Arlecchino, Pantalone, and Colombina — the stock characters who never left the stage.
Goldoni vs. Gozzi – The great 18th-century debate: Goldoni’s slice-of-life realism versus Gozzi’s fantastical fairy tales. Two visions, one stage.

Part two (August 26) – The voice of modern Italy. Opera, genius, and the theater of today

Opera: Verdi & Puccini. When music became drama. Explore how opera transformed emotional storytelling and made Italy’s voice resound across every continent.

Pirandello: identity & illusion – Where does the mask end and the person begin? Pirandello’s modern theater shattered the fourth wall and asked questions we still can’t answer.

Contemporary theater. Experimental, political, physical. How Italian artists today push boundaries and carry centuries of tradition into urgent new forms.

Workshop Benefits

Live 60-minute session filled with engaging visuals and expert storytelling
PDF presentation + recording emailed to all attendees
Presented in English—no Italian required, just one hour to enjoy, learn, and indulge your curiosity

Two sessions. Six centuries. One unforgettable journey. Whether you step onto the stage for the first time or rediscover a passion you never knew you had, this workshop will change the way you see theater — and the way you see yourself. Italy has been telling stories for thousands of years. Now it’s your turn.

Reserve your place. The curtain rises soon. — Sipario!

Your presenter is Barbara

Date & Location

Location: ONLINE
Day & Time: Wednesday, 5:30 pm – 6:30 pm (PST)
Date: August 12 & 26

Cancellation & Refund Policy

For workshops we do not provide refunds once you have enrolled in the workshop. If you cannot make the class, please let us know in writing at least 24 hours before the scheduled workshop and we can provide you with a credit to attend another workshop.