Northeastern Illinois University Commedia del Arte Discussion Questions

1. Please watch this video and share your thoughts! The Cirque is one of my theatre obsessions. it pulls from the history of Commedia del Arte, which also ties in the art of clowning, acrobating, performance art, dancing, singing. It is often sung in multi languages and sometimes gibberish to give a sense of universality. The cirque employs performers from every country in the world. I hope you enjoy their wild and wondrous ways of bringing people together to celebrate our global diversity.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQ5eUJNXrMw

2. Read this letter. https://www.americantheatre.org/2020/06/10/a-new-world-awaits-us/?fbclid=IwAR0IuWEOrbZN55cN6rTDYFpOVrUdQBqPH4mq9L-tg1iuX8t8rRMyDZdA9es

In such a timely way, we are quoted this beautiful lasting wisdom from Brecht. If we think of Anna Deavor Smith’s, Notes From the Field, she seems to do both: precisely imitating the people she interviewed and featured in her final production, but with an intention to also shape the overall narrative and conversation around f race and racism in America. Our country is deeply wounded and hopefully, deeply healing right now. We are confronting the Shadow, the unconscious biases, the complacency with a system that doesn’t work for all people equally. and the people are calling for change. Theatre is ground zero for these discussions. Take a look at this short documentary about the Theatre of the Absurd and the work of Augusto Boal. Here the focus is on bringing awareness to the conversation around LdGBTQ+ rights. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTA1b4rlTXI

For this week, discuss what your hammer to reality is and how you wish to shape it.

3. Please watch this thoughtful interview with one of the finest actresses of all time, Meryl Streep. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vlM8vr5Aco&list=PLD3kitFM1IA1xJjtvQGzaXzlDwawDnn_v

What is particularly interesting is the conversation around music in acting. Discuss your relationship to music in your life.