Western Bodies in Motion: The Commedia dell’arte Tradition: A Lecture and Workshop by Dr. Guy Spielmann (Georgetown University) and Dr. Doe Polanz (James Madison University).

Conference-workshop organized by Dr. Charlène Clonts, as part of the WBA research project activities, funded by Q-AOS.

1. Engaging Community at university: Event

JOIN US on Monday 23rd December 2024, at Kyushu University, Ito Campus, Central Library. The event takes place in the Sky Cute Commons conference room, from 12:30 to 14:30, no fees. Attend a lecture, a hands-on workshop, and a theater show with dance, music, masks and watercolor projections.

Join us for an insightful and interactive lecture. We will delve into essential concepts and practical applications. These will inspire creativity and critical thinking. Participants will gain valuable knowledge. They will also engage in hands-on activities. These activities are designed to foster collaboration and enhance learning experiences. Don’t miss this opportunity to expand your skills and connect with like-minded individuals in a dynamic environment!

2. Connecting Well-Being Through the Power of Arts

This event is directly connected to the Well-Being with Arts project, thanks to the physical and mental well-being aspects that the theater experience can provide:

1. Physical Expression and Well-being: this lecture and workshop emphasize the virtuosity of physical acting. It involves a great awareness and mastery of the body: posture, precise gestures, breathing, and physical appearance. Also, when the audience laughs or reacts, it allows for the expression and the release of emotions.
2. Social Interaction and Mental Well-being: The semi-improvised nature of the commedia dell’arte encourages interaction and collaboration among actors and participants. This can enhance social skills, self-confidence, and a sense of belonging to a group, which is beneficial for mental well-being.
3. Creativity and Personal Expression: the show allows actors to contribute their own lines and movements. The participants are part of the show, thanks to their interactions with the actors. This fosters creativity. It also encourages personal expression. This can be therapeutic and offer an outlet for emotions, thereby assisting in stress management and improving mental health.
4. Cultural immersion and personal enrichment: Discovering and practicing a historical form of theater can expand participants’ cultural understanding. Engaging with styles like commedia dell’arte deepens their appreciation. It also enriches historical understanding. This contributes to a sense of personal achievement and promotes intellectual well-being.

By integrating these elements into the Well-Being with Arts project, one can offer a holistic experience. This experience combines the physical, mental, and emotional benefits of art and theater.

3. Discover, Create, Collaborate: A Synopsis of the Lecture and Workshop

The lecture and workshop focus on « drama » or « theater » in the Early Modern Western European tradition, which is usually presented as an art of the spoken word relying on text with a strong literary quality written by illustrious authors such as Molière (France), Shakespeare (England), Lope de Vega (Spain), Goethe (Germany), and Goldoni (Italy). However, on stage, this language-centered approach was often challenged by visually-driven forms of spectacle, such as the commedia dell’arte, which emerged in northern Italy in the early 1500s. This genre emphasized bodily virtuosity and utilized distinctive costumes and masks, allowing for a semi-improvised performance style, dance and music. Participants will receive an overview of commedia dell’arte and engage in an hands-on activity exploring the physical expressions and movements associated with its character types. The session highlights the significance of physicality in performance, including posture, gestures, breathing, and overall appearance.

Author: Associate Prof. Charlène Clonts (PhD.)