Performances

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!

 

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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i Firenzi activities NOV 2025 – FEB 2026

November 8, 2025 – Advanced Improv Acting Skills Class from 3:00 – 5:00pm in Apex, NC: Get details and tickets here! https://www.ifirenzi.com/romni

November 15, 2025 – i Firenzi presents “Be Careful Who You Listen To!”, an original play in the style of 16th century Commedia dell’ Arte at Spring Haven Goat Farm in Chapel Hill, NC: Get tickets here!  https://www.simpletix.com/e/renaissance-faire-at-spring-haven-farm-tickets-228511

November 16, 2025 – i Firenzi presents “Iron Commedia Workshop” where any attendee can learn Commedia and put on a short skit with the troupe! At Spring Haven Goat Farm in Chapel Hill, NC: Get tickets here!  https://www.simpletix.com/e/renaissance-faire-at-spring-haven-farm-tickets-228511

November 22, 2025 – i Firenzi presents “Dungeons & Dragons Commedia Style!” An improvised commedia show where the characters are rolled up into D&D Characters and go on an adventure! Get details and tickets here! https://buckston.windmastershill.org/buckston-birthday-2025/

November 30, 2025 – Advanced Improv Acting Skills Class from 3:00 – 5:00pm in Apex, NC: Get details and tickets here! https://www.ifirenzi.com/romni

December 6, 2025 – Advanced Improv Acting Skills Class from 3:00 – 5:00pm in Apex, NC: Get details and tickets here! https://www.ifirenzi.com/romni

December 14, 2025 – Advanced Improv Acting Skills Class from 2:00 – 4:00pm in Apex, NC: Get details and tickets here! https://www.ifirenzi.com/romni

December 17, 2025 – Advanced Improv Acting Skills Class from 7:00 – 9:00pm in Apex, NC: Get details and tickets here! https://www.ifirenzi.com/romni

January 3, 2025 – Advanced Improv Acting Skills Class from 2:00 – 4:00pm in Apex, NC: Get details and tickets here! https://www.ifirenzi.com/romni

January 10, 2026 – i Firenzi presents a mummers’ play for the Twelfth Night celebration in Trenton, NC: Get details and tickets here! http://www.12thnight.atlantia.sca.org/

February 2026 – International Commedia dell’ Arte Day Celebration, Jam Session, and Networking Festival at Theatre Raleigh sometime in February 2026, details TBD!

 

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!

Raleigh Fringe Fest hosts i Firenzi Commedia!
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Raleigh Fringe Fest hosts i Firenzi Commedia!

I Firenzi Commedia is performing at the Raleigh Fringe Festival!

TWO shows and a class!

As “busking” performers, you do NOT need a ticket to come see our show! Just show up and enjoy our laughter machine!

If you bring cash and can donate a few dollars to our troupe when we pass the hat at our show, THAT is how we’ll get paid! Then we can produce more commedia!

WHAT: i Firenzi improvised comedy show in the style of Commedia dell’ Arte!

WHEN: i Firenzi shows are on July 12, from 2:00 – 3:00, and from 4:00 – 5:00pm.

From 3:00 – 3:30, we will hold a mini-class/workshop for anyone who wants to try out Commedia characters, masks, and a little improvisation with the troupe!

WHERE: Theatre Raleigh – 6638 Old Wake Forest Rd.; Raleigh, NC 27616

Raleigh Fringe Festival 2025

July 10th-13th |Theatre Raleigh Arts Center

https://raleighfringefestival.squarespace.com/ 

The Raleigh Fringe Festival is a performing arts festival celebrating everything weird and wonderful in the Raleigh region!

This year’s event will feature: 14 ticketed shows in our primary lineup, street performers/buskers throughout the lobby and outside, as well as free community events like a Prop Swap, Fringe on Film, and more.

Get tickets for other amazing shows here: https://www.ticketleap.events/events/raleighfringe

 

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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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