Commedia Dell'Arte Scheme of Work

(ages 12-13)

This six-lesson KS3 unit introduces students to Commedia dell'Arte through practical exploration of stock characters, mask work and physical comedy. Lessons combine warm-ups, booklet-based character study, devising tasks and lazzi exercises so students build improvisation, ensemble skills and performance confidence. The scheme includes an illustrated booklet, mask activities and structured peer and self-evaluation, culminating in a group performance assessment.

What Students Will Learn

Across six lessons students study the origins and comic purpose of Commedia dell'Arte stock characters and practise mask work, lazzi (comic routines), mime and slapstick. They develop improvisation, characterisation and ensemble devising skills, rehearse and perform original Commedia sequences, and complete peer and self-evaluation to reflect on their contribution.

Week 1: Introduction
Introduces life as a member of a travelling Commedia troupe and revises KS3 drama skills. Activities include the Earth, Air or Water warm-up, reading an info sheet, devising five short troupe scenes, performing and evaluating.
Resources Include
Resources
Overview of Commedia Dell’Arte
Week 2: Stock Characters
Focuses on Pantelone, Arlecchino and Il Capitano and introduces their characteristics from the booklet. Activities include a whole-class storytelling starter, character movement work, group-devised scenes and peer evaluation.
Resources Include
Resources
Commedia Dell'Arte Booklet
Week 3: Character Traits
Develops Brighella, Il Dottore and Pulcinella through guided character study and exaggerated physical traits. Tasks include thought showering character traits, walking as characters, devising short scenes and performing with evaluation.
Resources Include
Resources
Commedia Dell'Arte Booklet
Week 4: The Lazzi
Explores mime and slapstick tradition (lazzi) with links to modern comedians. Students read the booklet, practise slapstick and mime exercises, devise original lazzi and perform them for assessment and feedback.
Resources Include
Resources
Commedia Dell'Arte Booklet
Week 5: Assessment Preparation
Prepares a devised scene about a Commedia troupe that must include a mask-wearing Commedia sequence and a lazzi. Group tasks include allocating neutral masks, plotting on sugar paper, devising the Commedia scene and receiving feedback.
Week 6: Assessment
Final performance lesson where groups present their original Commedia pieces. After a short run-through students perform, then complete printed self-evaluation sheets and set targets for future work.
Resources Include
Props
Neutral Mask