ASF! Presents: Sarcasm Hub @ White Rabbit

The Sarcasm Hub is the place for Family Friendly Ashland Sarcasm Festival Fun! Entry is free with registration.

We'll be selling Ashland Sarcasm Festival Merch, we'll have free games and activities for families and kids, performances from Zanni Nation, and much more to be announced!

Zanni Nation performing Safety First

Based in Ashland, Oregon, Zanni Nation is a theatre troupe founded in 2023 by Southern Oregon University Alumni specializing in Commedia Dell’Arte. Because Commedia has been so influential, with different pieces being taken and used throughout history we thought the best way to convey this was using recycled or reclaimed materials for the majority of our costumes, props and set pieces. This allows us to create a timeless aesthetic while reducing our carbon footprint and serving our community. Our goal is to make art more accessible to the public while inspiring a sense of wonder that appeals to audiences of all ages.

Construction: The most dangerous job of all the jobs! It seems the hardworking, blue-collar worker always gets the short end of the slapstick… until they take it and whack the foreman upside the head. With mischief, romance, and half a dozen OSHA violations, a lot can happen when the foreman turns his back. Join Zanni Nation on site, as our crew works to build a better today… tomorrow.

This Italian form originated in the 16th century and has been incredibly influential throughout history. Using improvised dialogue, devised storylines, masked stock characters, and acrobatics, Commedia Dell’Arte gives us the first recorded example of professional theatre in history.

Instead of using a director like conventional theatre, we have choregoi. This roughly translates to “chorus leader”. The role of the chorego is to guide the company’s vision, handle logistics and to find the best way for the group to work together. This allows for more of an even playing field, and gives each company member a voice.

Commedia Dell’Arte invented the genre of slapstick comedy, heavily influenced ballet techniques, Shakespeare, and vaudeville theatre while creating lasting character archetypes that are still prevalent today. Even modern sitcoms can be traced back to Commedia!

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Ashland Sarcasm Festival