Dell’Arte

Dell’Arte International is the United States center for the development, exploration, training, creation, and performance of the physical theatre traditions and their contemporary applications. We are a true “regional” arts center for our geographically diverse community.

The four primary programs of Dell’Arte are:

The Dell’Arte Company
— a professional touring company. This on-going ensemble of artists has created over 35 award-winning, original works of theatre since 1977. The company has toured extensively to international festivals.

Dell’Arte International School of Physical Theatre
— a professional actor-training program is the only one of its kind in the U.S., attracting students from all over the world to study with outstanding artists, in a fulltime 1 year program, summer workshops, and a new, 2 and a half year MFA program in Ensemble-Based Physical Theatre. The program is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Theatre.

Dell’Arte Youth Academy
— “Education Through Art” –Originally funded in 1991 by the National Endowment for the Arts as one of six nationwide pilot programs, the Academy not only makes it possible for every child in Blue Lake to work with a Dell’Arte artist each year, but has also evolved to reach over 4000 elementary school students throughout Humboldt County with curriculum-based, and standards based physical theatre work. In addition, the Academy offers innovative afterschool and summer programs for both elementary and high school students.

The Dell’Arte Mad River Festival
— this month-long summer event is the largest performance event in our community, drawing over 5,000 people locally and from San Francisco to Seattle to indoor and outdoor events. Theatre and music offerings include the EdgeFest, a week of the newest physical theatre, including artists from around the world and down the block. Dell’Arte is based in the small town of Blue Lake, a former logging town with a population of about 1,200 in Humboldt County, on California’s rural north coast.

Dell’Arte co-founder, Carlo Mazzone-Clementi, was a native of Italy and chose the name ‘dell’arte’ (dell are tay) because it means “of the art.” His work was inspired by the lively commedia dell’arte, a character -based style of theatre that has fueled popular theatre for generations, and was known as ‘the art of the professionals.’ Dell’Arte’s audiences tell us, “There is no other theatre like Dell’Arte!” The combination of training programs , research, original touring productions, education program in the public schools, summer festival and community-building activities make us a destination unlike any other on the American theatre map.

To find out more about Dell’Arte, visit their website:
http://www.dellarte.com