Physical Expression, Masks & Creative Training

"I found his entire curriculum to be effectively planned and structured. He introduced new concepts and exercises at a natural and helpful pace, ensuring we had time to absorb, take notes and implement in action everything we learned. We would all jump at the chance to learn from him again."

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"I took Ivano's Commedia dell'Arte program over two weekends in March 2025. I found his entire curriculum to be effectively planned and structured. He introduced new concepts and exercises at a natural and helpful pace, ensuring we had time to absorb, take notes and implement in action everything we learned. From one day to the next, he would review the previous day's learnings then introduce new material that built on the previous. Ivano proved to be highly knowledgeable as he answered and expanded on all of our questions. He provided insightful personalized feedback to us after each exercise. The students finished the workshops with the same sentiment; we would all jump at the chance to learn from him again and wished we could have more time to learn from his expertise."

"Ivano is a wonderful, observant and thoughtful teacher. His classes always feel like a playground to experiment and explore different forms. He has an innate ability to create a warm, inviting atmosphere which helped me be more of myself."

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"Ivano is a wonderful, observant and thoughtful teacher. His approach to learning is one of fun mixed with a lot of play. His classes always feel like a playground to experiment and explore different forms. He has an innate ability to create a warm, inviting atmosphere which helped me be more of myself. When he taught us bouffon, he was encouraging and always pushing us to take the form a little over the edge each time. As a pedagogue, his feedback is filled with what worked well and many ideas of where my work/presentation could be taken ahead next. As a theatre practitioner, Ivano is one of the rare pedagogues who ensures he keeps learning and going into the forms he teaches. Highly recommend his workshops!"

"Ivano does not simply teach techniques; he guides you through a personal journey, helping you overcome physical, emotional, or expressive blocks. His attention to each individual student is sincere and consistent."

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"I had the pleasure of studying with Ivano Conte, a highly knowledgeable and sensitive teacher, in the disciplines of Commedia dell'Arte, the Feldenkrais Method, and Neutral and Larval Mask. He has always been professional, empathetic, and attentive in listening to and understanding where a student needs support. Ivano does not simply teach techniques; he guides you through a personal journey, helping you overcome physical, emotional, or expressive blocks. His attention to each individual student is sincere and consistent. He has studied with many teachers in different parts of the world, which makes his teaching rich and well-rounded, combining practice and theory in a balanced way. He is outgoing, open, and welcoming, yet always respectful and professional. He asks a lot, but only because he is the first to fully commit himself. A teacher who helps you grow, both artistically and personally. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking serious and in-depth training."

"He has been one of the best teachers I have ever had. His humor and the irony with which he approaches each lesson are contagious. A true great professional, both as an actor and as a teacher, and on a human level, a truly wonderful person."

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"Ivano was my teacher at the Giovanni Arnone Theatre Academy. He put up with me for a full three years. Together we explored masks -- from the Neutral Mask to Commedia dell'Arte, through Larval Masks and even some introduction to the Feldenkrais Method. With him, I undertook not only a highly professional training path in masks and Commedia dell'Arte, but a true personal evolution that improved the quality of my working life. I learned that the mask, as fascinating and perhaps even mystical as it may seem, is nothing more than "a piece of leather," as he would say -- and that the only truly essential tool on stage is ourselves and our body. I entered the Academy as stiff as a piece of wood, and it is only thanks to him that I have now acquired movements that were completely unknown to me three years ago. Through him, I learned that you may fail, but you must never give up -- and that we carry the responsibility of the performance and the audience. I learned to find my own sense of play even in the most seemingly anonymous things -- though nothing is ever truly "anonymous" -- and that when we joke, we must be serious. He has been one of the best teachers I have ever had. His humor and the irony with which he approaches each lesson are contagious. A true great professional, both as an actor and as a teacher, and on a human level, a truly wonderful person. He probably does not know the great influence he has had on me, nor the deep respect and admiration I feel for him. I am grateful that he asked me for this small piece of feedback, because after three years I can perhaps write something that I would never have been able to say to him directly."

"Ivano is an extremely knowledgeable, precise, and reliable professional. One of the things I appreciated most is the seriousness he brings to the work, conveyed with remarkable lightness. A rare encounter that undoubtedly leaves a lasting mark."

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"Ivano is an extremely knowledgeable, precise, and reliable professional. With his direct, empathetic, and above all respectful way of communicating, he immediately makes you feel at ease. He is a focused and present teacher, with an exceptional ability to listen without ever making you feel judged. One of the things I appreciated most about his work is the seriousness he brings to it, conveyed with remarkable lightness. It is precisely this atmosphere that allows you to learn while enjoying the process. When working with him, you feel as though you are being taken by the hand and guided toward a shared goal. Every step is experienced together, and every achievement is the result of sincere and in-depth work. A rare encounter that undoubtedly leaves a lasting mark."