Commedia Dell'Arte

• improv theatre
  
• originated in Italy
  
• the actors work in troupes
  
• stock characters are used
  
• often languages are made up/improvised to help actors blend in countries where they didn't know the language
  
• mobile stages
  
• first stage where women became a key part of theatre
  
• audience interaction is key
  
• MASKS
  
• many props to help with humor
  
• PHYSICAL comedy
  
• slapstick
  
• acrobatics
  
• dirty humor