These are some quick Commedia scenarios using two or three characters each, to get you started with your improvisation.  Use these sample scenarios to get used to the body and mask of your character, and to find what it's like to act without a script, but with a given character.  Feel free to experiment and interact with the audience, as classical Commedia actors did.  When you are comfortable with the characters and format, you might want to link a couple of these scenes together so more characters can interact.




•     Pantalone enlists Arlecchino's help in getting a date with Lavinia, who doesn't know he exists.  Arlecchino gives him a lot of bad advice about his clothes and how he should act.

•     Capitano enters.  This is a new town to him, and he has heard that a rich widow lives here.  He wishes to marry her, and asks Zanni for his help in meeting her.

•     Isabella has received a letter from her lover, Ottavio, and has taken all of his compliments the wrong way.  She sees him on the street, and sends her servant, Zanni, to him with a verbal message.  Zanni, of course, gets the message wrong, and Ottavio sends a message back to Isabella.  Zanni is sent back and forth with messages, until the two lovers meet face-to-face.

•     Alessandra tries to get her father Pantalone's permission to marry Fabian.

•     Arlecchino has stolen some money from Pantalone.  When Pantalone realizes his money is gone, he asks Zanni to fetch Dottore for advice.  When Dottore finally arrives, he gives Pantalone several medical diagnoses.