Commedia dell’arte theatre workshop

An interactive theatre workshop for learners of Italian, to introduce them to the Italian Commedia dell’arte.

Aims

To provide cultural enrichment for pupils of Italian, seeing as there are far fewer of these opportunities than there are for more commonly taught languages.

To give pupils the opportunity to use their languages skills in a fun and very different way.

To provide cross-curricular learning.

To forge relationships with state schools offering Italian so that we may continue to offer them similar enrichment opportunities.

Background

In our languages department we identified the difficulty in offering enrichment opportunities in Italian due to smaller numbers studying the language and consequently fewer appropriate activities on offer. We had heard about a theatre workshop provider who had visited Dulwich College and looked into inviting her to our school. After confirming her suitability, an invitation was sent out to a number of Italian departments in state schools in London, to which three responded, and two then confirmed their interest to attend.

Resources

Main workshop provider – an Italian Commedia dell’arte specialist

Two additional workshops run by QCL staff – free of charge

Refreshments

Impact

Help the involved teachers to raise the profile of Italian in their schools. Provide much needed extra-curricular opportunities to pupils of Italian in these schools, at no cost to them.

Pupil Involvement

Queen’s: 14 year 9 pupils, 4 year 10

Sacred Heart of Mary: 22 year 10 pupils

Sarah Bonnell: 15 year 9 pupils

Frequency

We aim to turn it into annual event.