Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre
Encyclopedia
The Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre is located in Northern California
in the town of Blue Lake, California
in Humboldt County, California
near the major population centers of Eureka
and Arcata
. Founded in 1971 by Carlo Mazzone-Clementi
and Jane Hill, it offers a NAST-accredited three-year MFA in Ensemble Based Physical Theatre, a one year Professional Training Program, Summer Workshops, and a Study Abroad program in Bali.
This school of the actor-creator and physical theatre encompasses training in acting, voice, movement, and related physical skills, with specific attention to the areas of mask, commedia dell'arte
, tragedy, and clown. The Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre is associated with the Dell'Arte Company, an ensemble of artists who are known internationally for their unique style. Originally founded as the "Grand Comedy Festival of Qua-la-wa-loo" in 1971, since 1991 Dell'Arte has hosted the Mad River Festival in June and July, concurrent with their summer workshops. The festival draws participants from all over the world .
. Together they put on the Grand Comedy Festival at Qual-a-wa-loo and Mazzone-Clementi served as the festival's artistic director for six years.
In 1974, the couple purchased the Oddfellows Hall in Blue Lake and the Dell'Arte School opened its doors in 1975.
in 1976, Mazzone and actors Joan Schirle and Jon'Paul Cook founded the Dell'Arte Company with the goal of establishing a company/school-school/company along the lines of Jacques Copeau's Vieux Columbier, and the hope to create a resident ensemble, the Dell'Arte Players Company. The first tour was mounted in 1977. Artists engaged for the first proudction, "The Loon's Rage," included director and co-author Jael Weisman, designer Alain Schons, and actor Michael Fields (now the Company's Producing Artistic Director), who continued as the nucleus of the new company, with Donald Forrest joining in 1978.
Originally called the Dell'Arte School of Mime and Comedy, the School's name was changed to the Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre in the late 1980s as a result of the narrowing definition of "mime" and a desire to investigate a broader vision of theatre and the work of the contemporary actor.
in New York City, which incorporated a "Green Show" of commedia-like elements and utilized a performance style greatly influenced by Carlo Mazzone-Clementi in his first years at Blue Lake, 1971-1972.
Northern California
Northern California is the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The San Francisco Bay Area , and Sacramento as well as its metropolitan area are the main population centers...
in the town of Blue Lake, California
Blue Lake, California
Blue Lake is a city in Humboldt County, California, United States. Blue Lake is located on the Mad River northeast of Eureka, at an elevation of 131 feet...
in Humboldt County, California
Humboldt County, California
Humboldt County is a county in the U.S. state of California, located on the far North Coast 200 miles north of San Francisco. According to 2010 Census Data, the county’s population was 134,623...
near the major population centers of Eureka
Eureka, California
Eureka is the principal city and the county seat of Humboldt County, California, United States. Its population was 27,191 at the 2010 census, up from 26,128 at the 2000 census....
and Arcata
Arcata, California
-Demographics:-2010 Census data:The 2010 United States Census reported that Arcata had a population of 17,231. The population density was 1,567.4 people per square mile...
. Founded in 1971 by Carlo Mazzone-Clementi
Carlo Mazzone-Clementi
Carlo Mazzone-Clementi was a contemporary and colleague of the giants of modern European theater. He first gained attention in Italy in 1947 when he worked alongside Marcel Marceau in the mime’s first tour outside of Paris. From 1948 to 1951, he assisted the master of movement, Jacques Lecoq,...
and Jane Hill, it offers a NAST-accredited three-year MFA in Ensemble Based Physical Theatre, a one year Professional Training Program, Summer Workshops, and a Study Abroad program in Bali.
This school of the actor-creator and physical theatre encompasses training in acting, voice, movement, and related physical skills, with specific attention to the areas of mask, commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte
Commedia dell'arte is a form of theatre characterized by masked "types" which began in Italy in the 16th century, and was responsible for the advent of the actress and improvised performances based on sketches or scenarios. The closest translation of the name is "comedy of craft"; it is shortened...
, tragedy, and clown. The Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre is associated with the Dell'Arte Company, an ensemble of artists who are known internationally for their unique style. Originally founded as the "Grand Comedy Festival of Qua-la-wa-loo" in 1971, since 1991 Dell'Arte has hosted the Mad River Festival in June and July, concurrent with their summer workshops. The festival draws participants from all over the world .
History
In 1973, Mazzone-Clementi and his wife Jane Hill, a graduate of Carnegie-Mellon, came to Humboldt County where Hill had a teaching position at College of the RedwoodsCollege of the Redwoods
College of the Redwoods is a public two-year community college whose main campus, comprising , is located on the southernmost edge of Eureka in Humboldt County, California. This sprawling site is spacious and distinctive in its modernistic use of massive, exposed wooden support beams in each...
. Together they put on the Grand Comedy Festival at Qual-a-wa-loo and Mazzone-Clementi served as the festival's artistic director for six years.
In 1974, the couple purchased the Oddfellows Hall in Blue Lake and the Dell'Arte School opened its doors in 1975.
in 1976, Mazzone and actors Joan Schirle and Jon'Paul Cook founded the Dell'Arte Company with the goal of establishing a company/school-school/company along the lines of Jacques Copeau's Vieux Columbier, and the hope to create a resident ensemble, the Dell'Arte Players Company. The first tour was mounted in 1977. Artists engaged for the first proudction, "The Loon's Rage," included director and co-author Jael Weisman, designer Alain Schons, and actor Michael Fields (now the Company's Producing Artistic Director), who continued as the nucleus of the new company, with Donald Forrest joining in 1978.
Originally called the Dell'Arte School of Mime and Comedy, the School's name was changed to the Dell'Arte International School of Physical Theatre in the late 1980s as a result of the narrowing definition of "mime" and a desire to investigate a broader vision of theatre and the work of the contemporary actor.
Influence
Over the years, the company has trained and influenced hundreds of performing artists and ensembles from around the world, including Daniel O. Smith and W. Stuart McDowell, who subsequently founded the Riverside Shakespeare CompanyRiverside Shakespeare Company
The Riverside Shakespeare Company of New York City was founded in 1977 as a professional theatre company on the Upper West Side of New York City, by W. Stuart McDowell and Gloria Skurski...
in New York City, which incorporated a "Green Show" of commedia-like elements and utilized a performance style greatly influenced by Carlo Mazzone-Clementi in his first years at Blue Lake, 1971-1972.