Welcome to Laughing Stock Theatre

From the various commedia experiences of Piccolo Theatre, Bristol Renaissance Faire, Panini Players, and Antonio Fava's Scuola Internazionale dell'Attore Comico, we have come together to bring the world a new “Chicago-Style” Commedia. A new form of Commedia that holds a mirror up to our modern life to expose the issues and questions of the day.

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Commedia dell’Arte is a stylized form of theatre that uses masks, archetypes, slapstick, and structured improvisation to emphasize the humor in humanity. It was most popular in Italy in the 16th century but Commedia’s influence can been seen in everything from opera to modern day cartoons. Commedia’s lasting appeal is part of the reason why we as a company are so interested in participating in its revival.