(20.-21.9. workshop in Europass Teacher Academy)
What if theatre wasn’t about pretending to be a character, but building a character of your own? This was the central idea at a recent two-day workshop with actor and director Vania Castelfranchi.
The room held a diverse mix of backgrounds, with stand-up comedians, educational workers, and playwrights all present. Vania’s approach was a blend of archetypes, psychology, and anthropology, making it both playful and profound. A crucial part of the experience was the brilliantly swift and precise Italian-English interpreting from Carmine, the Course Director of Europass Academy, who ensured no nuance was lost.
On the first day, we took a deep dive into Commedia dell’Arte. The characters—from the innocent Zanni to the snobbish Il Dottore—were presented as stages of a life cycle. We learned that the essence of each character isn’t in their costume or mask, but in their attitude toward the world and themselves. The masks, postures, and voices became tools of exploration.
The second day challenged us to explore the connection between the nine types of laughter and the nine types of fear. The core message was that the most authentic performances aren’t about faking an emotion, but about getting to know one’s personal fears and choosing the ones that advance the character and the story. Not only comedy is built on facing the personal hidden.
All in all, this workshop offered a rich array of examples and references from the traditionof Comedia dell’Arte and from personal Vania Castelfranchi’s reference, all serving as a reminder that basic dramatic principles bring theatre to life and – life to the theatre.
About Vania Castelfranchi
Maestro Vania Castelfranchi from Rome, Italy, is an actor, director, and teacher trained at the National Academy of Dramatic Arts in Rome. He leads workshops across Europe and teaches Theatre and Philosophy at the University of Tor Vergata and voice at LUMSA University and Marcos y Marcos Academy.
More info: 🌐 vaniaygramul.it | ygramul.net | comedarte.wordpress.com
This article was written by Robert Davy.