Laughing Stock presents Antonio Fava in Chicago 2/15-2/16/2020
February isn’t actually Commedia Month (although it does contain international Commedia Day). But in Chicago, Laughing Stock Theatre is doing its darnedest to celebrate Commedia month anyway.
Photo courtesy of Antonio Fava Facebook page.
They are bringing Antonio Fava, a world-renowned performer, teacher, director and maskmaker from Italy, to Chicago during the month of February. He’ll be conducting a 2 day master class 2/15-2/16 at Links Hall under the auspices of Laughing Stock Theatre. He will also be performing in Chicago at the same time. In addition, Laughing Stock will produce a new show, and start a training series called Commedia 101.
Read the rest of the article to find out how to get a discount for his workshop.
Fava has been teaching students the fine and not so fine art of commedia dell’arte since 1986. He typically teaches summer workshops in Reggio Emilia (his home base in Italy). He also gives master classes around the world, and directs plays, gives performances, composes music, and does pretty much anything else that could happen on stage.
Antonio Fava and the tools of his trade. Photo courtesy of Laughing Stock facebook page.
In addition, his masks are very well known, and have been in use worldwide. In fact, Northwestern University in Evanston owns 5 masks that are available for use and study by the Northwestern community, and has an online exhibit about them as well.
http://digital.library.northwestern.edu/fava/index.html
Masks by Antonio Fava. Photo captured on Northwestern Library website.
Laughing Stock was founded in 2018 by members of Pannini,Northwestern’s commedia troupe, along with members of the Bristol Renaissance Faire’s commedia troupe. Laughing Stock’s mission is to create Commedia dell’Arte for the modern audience. Since 2018, they have produced three productions. This February will be their fourth. Members of the company brought Fava to Northwestern in 2017, and then studied with him this past summer, and now they are bringing him back to Chicago.
Laughing Stock announced on their facebook page a new set of training, called Commedia 101. The classes are set to kick off in February. To find out more, visit their facebook page/post:
https://www.facebook.com/LaughingStockTheatreChicago/posts/2475965905862226
Starting on February 8th, Laughing Stock’s latest show revolves around queer love and relationships using stock Commedia dell’Arte characters, The show, The Masquerade; Or, Love is Queer to Stay, will premiere at the Crowd Theater at 3935 N. Broadway Ave. Shows will continue February 15, 22, and 29 all at 8pm. All shows are Pay What You Can and tickets can be purchased at https://dime.io/events/Masquerade
Noses, Moustaches, and Lazzi (clown routines) is Fava’s latest show.
On February 12th, Laughing Stock will host Antonio Fava for his brand new show, Nasi, Mustacchi, e Lazzi (Noses, Mustaches, and Jokes) also at the Crowd Theater at 7:30pm. This new show will feature Antonio as Totonno il Calabrese, a 17th century actor in a Commedia dell’Arte troupe showing the masks, characters, and history of the style as well as presenting an entire comedy on his own.
Tickets are available at https://dime.io/events/nasi-mustacchi-e-lazzi
As part of his work in Chicago, Fava will also present a 12 hour Master class (split into two days) Details are below. While tickets for that are normally $300, the code APresto will give a $100 early bird discount if registered before 12/31.
WORKSHOP:Â SATURDAY FEBRUARY 15 & SUNDAY FEBRUARY 16, 2020.
HOURS:Â 10AM-4PM
WHERE: LINKS HALL, 3111 N Western Ave, Chicago, IL 60618
COST:Â $300, Early Bird discount of $100 using code APresto until December 31st.
REGISTER:Â https://dime.io/events/antonio-fava-master-class
For more info about Laughing Stock, visit https://www.laughingstockchi.com/
For more info about Antonio Fava, visit http://www.antoniofava.com/en/