MetaWORKSHOP

COMMEDIA DELL’ ARTE (15h)

27.–29.11.2026

TIMETABLE

Fri 18-21:00 (including a coffee pause)

Sat-Sun 10-17:00 (Including 1h lunch break and couple of coffee pauses)

KEY WORDS 

Commedia dell’arte, half masks, canovacci, improvisation, physical comedy

TO WHOM

The workshop is open to all performing arts professionals, students, and enthusiasts who want to boost their physical expression. No prior mask theater experience is required.

COURSE DESCRIPTION
The course is an intensive introduction to the physical and comical world of Commedia dell’Arte.

We will explore the grotesque characters of Commedia dell’Arte, which are defined through a character gallery and masks. We will improvise scenarios and canovacci. We will examine how these traditional, ancient characters and plotlines fit into the modern world and why they remain relevant today.

Commedia dell’Arte helps participants increase awareness of their physical expression, build characters, and develop vocal delivery. The course introduces one of the most traditional forms of physical theatre, taking participants far from their everyday selves by creating a mask for the face, body, and voice alike.

TEACHER
Tiia-Mari Mäkinen works as a freelance theatre artist, including roles as a director, performer, choreographer, and teacher. Tiia’s theatrical approach is rooted in movement expression, mask theatre, and Lecoq pedagogy. The cornerstones of her teaching are an inclusive and movement-oriented language of expression.

From 2015 to 2022, Mäkinen worked in London with several arts organizations, including Chickenshed Theatre, the Royal Albert Hall, and Fourth Monkey Actor Training Company. Tiia has taught physical theatre studies in countries such as China, the USA, Germany, the UK, Finland, and Latvia.

PARTICIPANTS

Min. 8 person

Max 14 person

W e l c o m e !