Laughing Stock Theatre Welcomes You
Commedia dell'Arte for the Modern Audience
Show Your Support
Wear It or Give It!
The majority of our programming is Pay-What-You-Can, which means we rely on additional support through your contributions to make our shows the best they can be and continue offering them at the low price of whatever audience members can afford. Eventually we want to make our education programming Pay-What-You-Can as well. Support us by gifting at Venmo (@laughingstockchicago), or on Ko-Fi. Additionally, we now have merchandise available at Spreadshop.
Upcoming Events
Commedia dell'Arte Workshop with Antonio Fava
March 12-13, 2022 10am-5pm
Experience world class training in the classical Italian Commedia dell’Arte from a master actor, director, teacher, and mask-maker! 6 hours each day for 2 days. A catered lunch will be provided. $400, discounts available
Antonio Fava, from a long line of southern Italian Pulcinelle, has been teaching, directing, and performing Commedia in Reggio Emilia and around the world since 1980. With ArsComica he runs an annual 6 week class at the Scuola Internazionale dell'Attore Comico.
All attendees must be vaccinated and boosted against COVID-19 and we will be following any local, state, and federal public health guidelines, as well as additional safety precautions as we see fit. Each participant will use their own set of leather masks made by Antonio and, as of now, KN95 masks will be provided.
Are you in education? Message us for discounted entrance.
Commedia 101
April 30-May 28th, 2022
After being interrupted by the Covid pandemic, Laughing Stock Theatre is proud to re-launch the first of our 5-week courses in Commedia dell'Arte.
The goal of this class is to provide students with a broad overview of Commedia dell'Arte, and a grasp of basic concepts such as maskwork, characters, and historical significance. Students will walk away with an understanding of how Chicago-Style Commedia works, and how it can influence their work in other forms of theatre. The class will end in a public performance.
More information about dates and location will be available soon!
The Masquerade; Or, Love is Queer to Stay
April 23 5:30pm, April 24 4:00pm
The Den Theatre
Stage 2B
1331 N. Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60622
Our hit 2020 show is returning to the Chicago Circus and Performing Arts Festival this April! https://www.ccpaf.org/
Flaminio and Lelio are in love. Unfortunately Flaminio's mother, Pantalona, is in love with Lelio's stepmother, Signora Rosaura. When a handsome ex-soldier comes to town, Rosaura sees a potential second husband. To push the competition aside, Pantalona arranges a marriage between her son and this dashing man.
Commedia in the Parks
Coming Summer 2022
Laughing Stock Theatre is fully vaccinated, and ready to spread Joy and Commedia across Chicago! Coming to an outdoor space near you, you can spend an hour in stitches, watching three short stories where hijinx and hilarity reign. With a rotating cast and plenty of room for improvisation, no two shows will be the same!
Beginning this July, with more details coming soon.
Our Mission
Making Commedia dell'Arte Accessible
Laughing Stock Theatre creates and performs substantive, high-quality Commedia dell’Arte that spectacularizes the mundane and delights our audiences
Contact Us
Want us to teach a workshop? Looking for more info about our upcoming events? Get in touch with us today!
Chicago, IL United States
(312) 291-1457
