28147 - History of Acting (1) (2nd cycle)

Learning outcomes

At the end of the Course the student will have acquired knowledge about the theory and practice of the art of acting in history, particularly in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and in the contemporary world; - skills for the study and analysis of both reciting and performing modes of past and present; - methodological tools for reading the sources also from the point of view of the gender.

Course contents

Studying the actor both on the stage and screen
The historical part will examine the theoretical methodological problems associated with the study of the actor from the birth of professionalism to the end of the twentieth century in Italian-French and English contexts. At the centre, the concepts of professional culture and the "actor as man similar to man": an expert on emotions, the conscious master of a body closely linked to mind, becoming "living writing" itself as well as the interpreter of writings, based on his environment and the relationships he creates.

The monographic part focuses on the relationships between theatre and screen acting. What are the affinities, what are the differences? After a historical excursus, some emblematic cases covering the whole twentieth century will be addressed. The first concerns Anna Magnani, a film star with a strong and often recalled theatrical background. The second, an actress from the New Theatre, recently taken to films closely related to theatre: Ermanna Montanari. A third actor, to be studied during the Course on Cinema, has yet to be chosen.

Course begins April 15, 2020.

Timetable: Wednesdays 9-11h; Thursdays 15-17; Fridays 15-17h

Readings/Bibliography

Claudio Meldolesi, Pensare l’attore, Bulzoni, Roma 2013

Oliviero Ponte di Pino, Teatro e cinema: un amore non (sempre) corrisposto, Franco Angeli, Milano 2018

"L'Ottocento delle attrici" ("Acting Archives Review")

"Dopo l'Ottocento delle attrici, qualche punto fermo sulle attrici italiane del Novecento" ("Italica Wratislaviensia")

"In scena, sullo schermo, in fotografia: il corpo 'teatrale' di Ermanna Montanari" ("Arabeschi")

Non-attending students must read: Laura Mariani, Ermanna Montanari. Fare-disfare-rifare nel Teatro delle Albe, Titivillus, Corazzano 2012

Teaching methods

Lectures and seminars, particularly about finding and reading various source texts. Formation of working groups. In-house projection of films and video recordings, meeting artists.

Assessment methods

The final oral exam will assess the basic knowledge of the subject from a historical, theoretical and methodological point of view. The ability to analyze the performance of an actor starting from images, texts and live experiences will be verified and participation in group work and possible papers produced will also be evaluated.

Teaching tools

These include face-to-face lessons accompanied by audiovisual materials, working groups, meetings with artists and watching performances.

Office hours

See the website of Anna Laura Mariani