Author: Capocomico

Raleigh Fringe Festival 2026 hosts i Firenzi Commedia!
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Raleigh Fringe Festival 2026 hosts i Firenzi Commedia!

Fringe Festivals have been supporting niche/strange/unusual performing arts worldwide since the first one in Edinburgh, Scotland in 1947. The Raleigh Fringe Festival in Raleigh, North Carolina, USA is now in it’s third year and rocking the piazza! See all the fun at Theatre Raleigh!

We at i Firenzi Commedia are THRILLED to join in the fun at Raleigh Fringe Fest! We have one big 3-part show happening on Friday, September 11 starting at 6:00pm! Our show is FREE of charge, part of the BUSKING series at RFF, so bring some cash for our hat!  If we make you laugh, help us pay for gas with some cash as we pass the hat.

… 3-parts? What??

YES!  As our creative stretch for this unique venue, i Firenzi is producing a show in three parts – and YOU CAN JOIN IN!

Part 1) Classic Commedia dell’ Arte play in the style of 16th century, improvised Italian Commedia dell’ Arte! We’re performing our original scenario “Everyone Wants To Get Lucky” developed for the Festival Of Legends fantasy faire that we love to do every spring in Apex, NC.

Part 2) IRON COMMEDIA! This is a student performance where the students have 3 hours to learn the basics of commedia dell’ arte, write a scenario, rehearse, then perform the play!  ***More details below!

Part 3) AUDIENCE PLAYS!  Anyone in the audience who wants to play will be invited to join in an INSTANT commedia skit alongside the i Firenzi players. No rehearsal, just improvised comedy in the style of commedia dell’ arte!

***Details of Iron Commedia:

Anyone at all is welcome to join in Iron Commedia! This experience comes in 2 parts:

  1. Workshop
    1. On Wednesday, September 9, from 6:00pm – 9:00pm, participants attend a workshop where we will create a skit in the style of 16th century, improvised Italian Commedia dell’ Arte! We start with a short, intense introduction mini-class about the defining factors of this style of performance. Each participant gets to pick which character they would like to play. As a group, we write a simple scenario using common tropes of the 16th century commedia. We rehearse with whatever time we have left before 9:00pm!
  2. Performance
    1. After the i Firenzi troupe performs our classic play “Everyone Wants To Get Lucky”, the Iron Commedia students will perform their own skit for the Raleigh Fringe Fest audience!  Iron Commedia skits usually last 15-20 minutes.

To sign up for this FREE workshop, email the i Firenzi Capocomico, Lara Coutinho, via orangesophie AT gmail. When you sign up, you will get the location and address of the workshop. Participants must attend both the workshop and the performance.

TICKETS for the Raleigh Fringe Festival are available at https://raleighfringefestival.squarespace.com/ . You do NOT need a ticket for the i Firenzi Commedia show on Friday night, but a ton of other great performances do require tickets! Get an all weekend pass to see it all!

The Raleigh Fringe Festival takes place at my favorite non-profit theatre venue in the Triangle: Theatre Raleigh!

 

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i Firenzi Performances in 2026!

Laughter and fun garunteed at the following events where i Firenzi Commedia is performing!

Festival of Legends – April 25 & 26 at Sugg Farm in Holly Springs, NC – https://festivaloflegends.com/  – i Firenzi performs on the Fable Stage at 3:15 and 5:15 both Saturday and Sunday!

Due to circumstances beyond our control, the performance on May 30 at Curly Cross Tavern is cancelled.

Curly Cross Tavern – SCA event at Optimist Farm in Apex, NC – https://curlycrossduex.thecantonofnimenefeld.org/ – i Firenzi performs at 3:00pm!

Raleigh Fringe Fest – TBD – we will be applying for our third year with the RFF! – Fest happens September 10-12, 2026  https://www.facebook.com/raleighfringe/ 

Spring Haven Goat Farm Rennaisaince Festival – TBD – expected in November

 

If you would like to join our i Firenzi Fan Club email list to get email reminders of our shows, classes, and commedia-adjacent activities with other historically informed performers like Shakespeare, singing pirates, museums, and other nerdy performing arts, please email directly to capo AT ifirenzi.com! I’ll add you to the list!

Commedia and Shakespeare Jam Session – February 28, 2026
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Commedia and Shakespeare Jam Session – February 28, 2026

In honor of International Commedia dell’ Arte Day, i Firenzi Commedia and Scrap Paper Shakespeare are hosting a…

JAM SESSION!

February 28, 2026 from 11:00am – 8:00pm at Theatre Raleigh! 6638 Old Wake Forest Rd, Raleigh, NC

Sign up for a performance slot to bring your own favorite scene, monologue, or performance piece of any kind – no memorization necessary. Any piece you like! Solo or groups can perform anything up to 15 minutes. Stay after your performance for a 30-minute networking session which could include feedback if you like. Sign up HERE.

Come early for the official i Firenzi performance as part of International Commedia dell’ Arte Day* “Everyone Wants to Get Lucky!”

Come even earlier for an Advanced Adult Improv class by Romni Rossi!

Price of admission is pay-what-you-can. Donations around the cost of a fancy coffee are suggested.

Schedule:

11:00am – 1:00pm – Improv Class by Romni Rossi

1:00 – 2:00pm – Networking / Meet and Greet

2:00 – 2:45pm – Commedia play “Everyone Wants to Get Lucky!”

2:45 – 3:15 – Introduction to Commedia class – student can try on real Italian Commedia masks and try out characters!

3:15 – 4:00 – Performance Block #1 – Scrap Paper Shakespeare presents a preview of Wind in the Willows

4:00 – 4:15 – Networking / Meet and Greet

4:15 – 5:30 – Performing Block #2 – All comers

5:30 – 6:00 – Networking / Meet and Greet and WRAP UP!

Our intention is to offer Shakespeare and Commedia performers a chance to do what they love, with an appreciative audience, and meet like-minded early theater fans. No pressure of auditioning or memorizing! Just perform your favorite piece and meet new friends.

*International Commedia dell’ Arte Day is an international holiday, celebrated annually on February 25th, supported by UNESCO, and created by the “SAT” (cultural arts department of the Italian government) as a celebration of the cultural significance of Italian Commedia dell’ Arte! Read more about this holiday at https://www.commediadellarteday.org/about.asp?lin=eng .  See the i Firenzi official listing on the website at this link:  Commedia Performance by i Firenzi Commedia ! 

For any questions, please contact the i Firenzi Director, Lara Coutinho-Dean via orangesophie AT gmail. 

WANT TO LEARN MORE? How about a cheap class?? You’re in luck!!

Commedia fans can also sign up for a Commedia class at the Cary Arts Center on February 25th! Click HERE.

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Commedia at WoW 2025

Commedia dell’ Arte activities at Atlantia’s War of the Wings event – October 17 & 18, 2025

Since 2012, i Firenzi has brought the art of Commedia dell’ Arte to Atlantia’s biggest event, War of the Wings! https://warofthewings.atlantia.sca.org/
This year, two opportunities to enjoy commedia are happening at WoW:

  1. Annual Naughty Show – Friday at 9:00pm Casa Firenzi camp (BRING CHAIRS!)
  2. Iron Commedia workshop for all comers – Saturday from 11:00am – 1:00pm with student graduation show at 1:00 – 1:30pm at Casa Firenzi camp

Casa Firenzi Camp is in block D – Bronze Trojan. Look for the bright orange flags.

Annual Naughty Show – Friday

The i Firenzi Annual Naughty Show is for adults only. If you would like to see the show and you’re under 18 years old, please have a serious conversation with the Director, Dame Sophia the Orange, before the show. Non adults are allowed to watch if they and their parent or guardian has made an informed decision to attend. Please email Sophia at orangesophie@gmail.com . The content of this show is for adults, but not overly raunchy. No one gets nekked, but we do refer to enemas, swear words, sex, and private body parts. The purpose of this adult-content show is to incorporate content from period commedia which is historically accurate but not family friendly.

For example, this show uses an enema prop inspired by this etching by Jacques Callot circa 1615-1635 https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Two_Commedia_dell%27arte_street_entertainers_using_a_clyster_a_Wellcome_V0011652.jpg

File:Two Commedia dell’arte street entertainers using a clyster a Wellcome V0011652.jpg. (2020, September 26). Wikimedia Commons. Retrieved October 5, 2025, from https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Two_Commedia_dell%27arte_street_entertainers_using_a_clyster_a_Wellcome_V0011652.jpg&oldid=472446433.

Iron Commedia Workshop -Saturday

The Iron Commedia workshop is a class for any level of Commedia actor from beginner to advanced. Students gather at 11:00am to learn the basics of Commedia history and performance, then as a group we create a new commedia scenario based on the characters students want to play. We rehearse a little and perform the show at 1:00pm. Anyone is welcome to join in the workshop as an actor. Anyone is welcome to watch the student graduation performance at 1:00!

See you at Casa Firenzi at War of the Wings!

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Commedia Classes at Cary Arts Center

The Cary Arts Center is hosting Commedia classes taught by the Director of i Firenzi!

Two classes are available in July:

Thursday July 17 and Tuesday July 22 – both classes run from 7:00 – 9:00pm. Same class – two sessions.

Students will enjoy some classic improv comedy skills building with an intro to 16th century Italian Commedia dell’ Arte! We’ll use commedia stock characters, classic half face masks, costume pieces, and play short scenes.

If you’re already on the Cary RecTrack platform, do a search for “improv” and you’ll find it.

Or go directly to these links to sign up!

Thursday:

https://nccaryweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?Module=AR&FMID=30822328&InterfaceParameter=WebTrac

Tuesday:

https://nccaryweb.myvscloud.com/webtrac/web/iteminfo.html?Module=AR&FMID=30831901&InterfaceParameter=WebTrac

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International Commedia dell Arte Day 2025!

What: Comedy Improv Play in the style of 16th century Commedia dell’ Arte
Where: Downtown Cary Park, Cary, NC
When: Sunday, February 23, 2025 at 2:30pm
How: FREE!!! No RSVP necessary!

Official Commedia Day Poster

Need to laugh? Want to laugh IRL with other people laughing? Need a screen break?

You’re in the right place!

Come join the merrymakers of i Firenzi as we present a comedy play in the style of 16th century improvised Italian Commedia dell’ Arte!

Commedia dell’ Arte is the 16the century version of modern day TV sitcoms. An ensemble cast of comedy improvisors present a story of love, challenges, adventure, and happy endings! This year’s play shares the story of Pantalone, Dottore, Capitano, Arlecchino, and their families, friends, and enemies!

International Commedia dell’ Arte Day is a celebration of Italian culture under the patronage of UNESCO. The official holiday is February 25 annually and commedia shows, classes, and other activities accepted by the organization are shared on their website here: https://www.commediadellarteday.org/default.asp?lin=eng

See the direct i Firenzi listing here: https://www.commediadellarteday.org/eventiDetail.asp?id=73&lin=eng

I Firenzi has been an approved part of this celebration for the past 11 years! We are excited to bring this laughter to the new Downtown Cary Park in Cary, North Carolina on February 23, 2025 starting at 2:30pm. The show will last about 45 minutes.

No cost to come see the play! No tickets needed! Just come on down to the Cary Downtown Park and laugh with us!

https://downtowncarypark.com
327 S. Academy St.
Cary, NC 27511
 

 

International Commedia dell’ Arte Day 2024!

In support of International Commedia dell’ Arte Day 2024, i Firenzi is presenting TWO CELEBRATIONS!

  1. Saturday, February 24, CLASS!
    1. A workshop in Commedia called “Iron Commedia!” where we will gather all enthusiastic participants at 12:00noon at the SCA Event called “Ymir”, teach a short intro class to Commedia, then write a scenario, rehearse it, and present it! Participants will get to pick which character they want to play and then play it!
    2. Find the location and admission info here: https://ymir.windmastershill.org
  2. Sunday, February 25, SHOW!
    1. FREE SHOW of our latest original commedia scenario presented at the Cary Arts Center in downtown Cary, NC!
    2. 4:00pm show! Free admission – just show up at the Cary Arts Center ( 101 Dry Avenue
      Cary, NC 27511       (919) 469-4069) and enjoy Commedia dell’ Arte Day!

 

International Commedia dell’ Arte Day is a celebration of Italian culture under the patronage of UNESCO. The official holiday is February 25 and commedia shows, classes, and other activities accepted by the organization are shared on their website here: https://www.commediadellarteday.org/default.asp?lin=eng

I Firenzi has been an approved part of this celebration for the past 10 years! This year’s activities are the show and workshop below:

FREE show: https://www.commediadellarteday.org/eventiDetail.asp?id=32&lin=eng
Workshop: https://www.commediadellarteday.org/eventiDetail.asp?id=33&lin=eng

See the whole events list here: https://www.commediadellarteday.org/eventi.asp?lin=eng

For specific questions, email capo@ifirenzi DOT com

 

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Free Commedia Class

Free Commedia class – one night only!

NOV 30, 2023!

Lara Coutinho-Dean, AKA: “Dame Sophia the Orange, Order of the Laurel,” Director of i Firenzi, will teach an Introduction to Commedia class on November 30, 2023, starting at 7:00pm at the meeting place of the SCA’s Canton of Elvegast –> Our Savior’s Lutheran Church, 1500 Glenwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27608  –  Please park behind the church.

Class is FREE of charge!  Lasting approximately 90 minutes, students will learn the history of where Commedia started in the middle 16th century, the core characters of Commedia’s Golden Age, common themes in the scenarios, and get to try on authentic Italian leather commedia character masks. Students will get the chance to act short scenes in these masks with costume pieces.

To sign up for this free class, please email the teacher via orangesophie AT Gmail.

Longer and more in depth classes are sometimes also offered for a price at the Town of Cary:  https://www.carync.gov/recreation-enjoyment/programs-classes  Please contact them to let them know that you want classes to be offered!

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Commedia dell’ Arte education resources in September!

Commedia dell’ Arte education resources in September! A rare surge in opportunities for learning and doing Commedia dell’ Arte!

1) Saturday, September 2, 4:00pm to 5:30pm Italy time / 10:00am to 11:30am US Eastern Time – 90 minute online interactive lesson from Fabrizio Paladin, internationally renown professional commedia actor and coach – https://fb.me/e/Yuwn81Fo
Pre-registration required.

2) Saturday, September 9, 6:00pm – 7:15pm US Eastern Time, FREE in person commedia class and skit as part of Carolina Circus Festival in Cary, NC at WakeMed Soccer Park. Taught by Nancy Kramer, member of i Firenzi Commedia Troupe. https://carolinacircusfestival.com/
No pre-registration necessary. Just show up!

3) Saturday, September 16, 10:00 – 5:00pm, Four separate FREE classes on various commedia topics as part of Atlantia University (Intro to Commedia, Scenarios, Improv skills, Put It Together Workshop) https://university.atlantia.sca.org//catalog.php?university_id=236
Location: Duke Memorial United Methodist Church in Durham, NC
No pre-registration necessary. Just show up!

4) October 5- November 2, Five week long commedia class sessions, weekly class of 90 minutes each, produced by the Town of Cary, NC “Cary Arts Center”
Link: https://mycary.org/s/programs?programId=a7g4u000000Toc7
Classes resulting in a student performance on November 2.
Class is designed for adults interested in doing commedia dell’ arte which usually just serves as an educational piece of theater history classes. This class will allow students to wear masks, dive into the archetypical characters, and create a short play based on their own favorite pieces of commedia.

Please reach out to me (via orangesophie AT gmail) if you have any questions about these resources and how to participate!
Sincerely,
Lara Coutinho-Dean, Capocomico of i Firenzi (www.ifirenzi.com)

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WTF

i Firenzi performs at the National Women’s Theater Festival! June 23 & 30!

Midsummer Night’s Commedia
Co-Written by Lara Coutinho-Dean and Dr. Dina Ternullo

Historically informed commedia dell’ arte in sixteenth century Italian style with masks, improvisation, and classic stock characters makes Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream even more exciting and hilarious! Arlecchino replaces Puck as the servant to Capitano Oborono, and we find out who the child of the Votress of Titania’s Order really is.

Comic fights, off-label love potion use, and blackmail all lead to true love, but the course never did run smooth!

Who: i Firenzi, The Triangle’s only historically informed commedia dell’ arte troupe!
What: “Midsummer Night’s Commedia” a mash up of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream with 16th century Italian commedia dell’ arte
When: June 23 at 8:00pm and June 30 at 7:30pm show is approx. 90 minutes
Where: Kennedy-McIlwee Studio Theatre 2241 Dunn Avenue Raleigh, NC 27695
Buy Tickets here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/midsummer-nights-commedia-tickets-625835760607

BUT WHAT IF I CAN’T COME IN PERSON ON THOSE DATES!?!

You can buy a ticket for the “livestream” option of our shows. You will receive a YouTube viewing link to watch the show’s recording starting July 1 at 12:00noon US Eastern time. Viewing links will remain active for 48 hours after that.

Buy tickets for the in-person or recorded shows at this link:  https://www.eventbrite.com/cc/midsummer-nights-commedia-at-wtfringe23-2250689?aff=odclrlmctfte

i Firenzi performs at the National Women’s Theater Festival

Content Warnings: Mentions/alludes to romantic or sexual intimacy and graphic violence. Characters are drugged without consent or knowledge, sexual attraction is displayed, and comic stage fights are loud.

Accessibility: Due to the improvisation used in this play, hearing impaired audience members may have some trouble following the story. Auto-captioning will be used.

This project by i Firenzi is part of the WTFringe 23 and the 2023 National Women’s Theatre Festival!

Below is the program for our show:

Commedia dell’ Arte is an Italian, improvised, street comedy theater style that began in the mid-16th century. I Firenzi creates historically informed theater in the style of 16th century commedia including archetypical stock characters, half face masks, and common story tropes. These common tropes, including young lovers rebelling against their parents for the sake of true love, magic, and everyone getting happily married in the end are concepts seen in early commedia that also happen to show up in Shakespeare’s works. I Firenzi mashes up Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream with commedia characters and concepts for tonight’s play.

For the National Women’s Theater Festival, we added gender fluidity to some characters, the option for same gender marriage, and a definite feminine empowerment theme throughout. These concepts would not have been seen in 16th century commedia. We hope you will enjoy the mix of historically informed theater and modern inclusivity.

For more information about commedia and i Firenzi, see our website at https://ifirenzi.com

Cast for Midsummer Night’s Commedia for the National Women’s Theater Festival FringeFest 2023!

Duke Pantalone – Brian Towey

Queen Hippolyta – Kacey Reynolds Schedler

 

Flavio – Nathan Violette

Flaminia, daughter of Dottore – Amanda Lee Anderson

Oratio – Lara Coutinho-Dean

Isabella, daughter of Pantalone – Ingrid Towey

 

Peaseblossom – a fairy – Kacey Reynolds Schedler

Capitano Oberono – Scott Vaughan

Queen Vittoria – Chris Keffer

Arlecchino, servant to Oberono – Nancy Kramer

Brighella, adopted child of Vittoria – Veronica Yoshida

 

Dottore, a physician and alchemist – Scott Dean

 

Forest Fairies: Diva Yoshida, Malcolm Schedler, Aidan Reading, Elodie Reading, Marigold Reading

Understudy: Ben Nichols

Scenario co-written by Lara Coutinho-Dean and Dr. Dina Ternullo

Directed by Lara Coutinho-Dean   Technical Director – Scott Dean