Circus Factory is delighted to announce a 3 day Commedia dell’Arte Introduction Course.

Note: This was course was initially advertised as 5 days however due to unforeseen circumstances we have shortened the training to 3 days Mon 4th July – Wednesday 6th July 

Registrations: Now Open

Venue: The Crypt at St. Luke’s Former Church, O’Mahony’s Avenue, St. Luke’s Cross, Cork

Dates & Times

Monday July 4th Start Time 10am – 5.30pm

Tuesday July 5th Start Time 9.30am – 5.30pm

Wednesday July 6th Start Time 9.30am – 5.30pm

Level Suitable for all levels
Ages: 18+
Full 3 Day Course Price: €144.00
10% Concession (Students and Unwaged) use Discount Code at check out: CFCONC10% 

Commedia dell’Arte is a deeply physical improvisational theatre technique that finds stories by going deep into the heart of characters, where all the trouble is. It’s an invaluable tool for performers and those serious about developing their practice should highly consider joining this 5-day workshop.

Beginning each morning with a gentle yoga practice, Annie will move the group on to the floor, introducing the core principles of the style through ensemble-based improvisation games and progress toward exploration of characters and their worlds, what makes them and breaks them.

For over twenty years, Annie Ryan has evolved this rigourous and wildly fun training alongside hundreds of actors in Dublin into its own unique form, inviting fully embodied play with bravery, compassion and precision.

The 3-Day Commedia dell’Arte Introduction Course will take place at the Crypt at St.Luke’s in Cork City.

Register here 

About Annie Ryan

Originally from Chicago, Annie trained as an actor at the Piven Theatre Workshop from the age of 12, and at 18 became a member Chicago’s famous Commedia company, New Crime. The combined vocabularies of the Piven’s work in Theatre Games, Improvisation and Story Theatre and the Commedia style of New Crime formed the foundation of her work with The Corn Exchange.

Over the years, the company’s practice and style has grown and morphed, greatly influenced by the wonderful invention and talent of the company’s ensemble players. Annie has directed all of the company’s productions to date, including modern classics, adaptations and original works created in collaboration with writer Michael West, of which she is most proud.

What others say…

“This unique style of actor training and development, coupled with the immersive worlds of pure storytelling that Corn Exchange explores in their work were vital to my own creative evolution.”

Mark O’Halloran, actor and writer

“This technique creates amazing space for play; where the actor is invited to work in a world with endless possibilities and vast imagination while maintaining deep focus and clarity. It is rare that one learns so much while workshopping with a company and I have found their fundamental principles applicable to all of my subsequent endeavours.”

Louise White, theatre-maker and performer