Italian Renaissance Theater Lecture

Overview

• Time period: 15th to 17th centuries
• Focus: Italian peninsula and city-states (Florence, Siena, Rome, Venice)
• Note: No unified Italy until 1848

Key Developments

Commedia dell'Arte

• Birth of Commedia dell'Arte
• Development of the proscenium stage
• Influences on visual arts and architecture

Influence of Classical Art

• Rebirth of interest in classical (Greek and Roman) art
• Reformation of techniques in sculpture, architecture, etc.
• Scientific breakthroughs in engineering and physics
• Study of optics and vision leading to perspective drawing

Perspective Drawing

• Essential for creating set pieces in theater
• Ability to depict 3D on a 2D surface
• Important for transporting audiences to new locations

Innovations in Theater

Indoor Theaters

• Use of