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austin
Commedia dell'arte festival
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austin, texas - June 7-13, 2027
Join La Fenice for seven days of training, sharing, performance and comeraderie, deep in the heart of Texas.
Locations
Dougherty Arts Center
IN partnership with the City of Austin's Artist Access Program, Festival Headquarters are Austin's Cultural Living Room, the Dougherty Arts Center (lovingly called "The DAC") Centrally located alongside one of Austin's most beloved parks, The Dac is walking distance from Downtown and has a 150 person theatre, art gallery, rehearsal rooms, pottery studio and kiln, and dozens of classrooms that have supported generations of young Austin Artists.
The Butterfly Bar @ the Vortex
La Fenice's long-time performance home, the Butterfly Bar stage serves as our outdoor performance venue. As close as Austin has to a piazza, the butterfly bar stage is in the middle of a certified butterfly sanctuary, with an incredible cocktail and mocktail program and one of Austin's favorite italian restaurants that just happens to be run out of a truck. The outdoor open seating accomodates around 70 audience members, 100 if you really know how to project.
Schedule
This schedule is preliminary and will likely change.
Daily Schedule - weekdays:
10:00 - 10:30 - Warm ups
10:30 - 12:00 - Morning Block
12:00 - 1:15 - Lunch
1:15 - 2:45 - Early Afternoon Block
3:00 - 4:30 - Late Afternoon Block
4:30 - 7:00 - Siesta
7:00 - 10:00 - Performances
Daily Schedule - weekEnd:
10:00 - 10:30 - Warm ups
10:30 - 12:00 - Morning Block
12:00 - 1:15 - Lunch
1:15 - 2:45 - Early Afternoon Block
2:45 - 7:00 - Siesta
7:00 - 10:00 - Performances
Loosely organized activities will be coordinated for attendees wanting to spend additional time making new commedia friends, engaging in nerdy Commedia chats, and generally seeing the Austin sites.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does badging work?
There will be three levels of badges: All Access Badges, Workshop badges, and Performance Badges, which will also be broken into week-long, weekend, and daily passes. Performers and instructors will have access to discounted badges at all levels.
What do performing groups get when they perform in the festival?
All performing groups get a minimum of two performances and keep their own ticket sales less a small ticketing fee, plus a portion of Performance pass sales. Members of performing troupes get discounted badges.
How hot will it be?
It is very warm in early june, usually around 90 degrees (32 C) during the day. The Dougherty Arts Center where the workshops are hosted is air conditioned texas-style, so you will probably want to bring something warm to put on. Basically, any indoor space will be quite cold, and outside will be pretty warm. Bring a refillable water bottle, loose clothing, and an umbrella for extra shade and you should be fine.
Outdoor performances will be warm, and we strongly recommend bringing (or borrowing La Fenice's) ice packs for quick cool downs when you leave the stage and making sure to stay hydrated before, during, and after performances.
Do you have recommendations for places to stay?
Very nearby, there are the Extended Stay America Suites, the Carpenter Hotel, The Embassy Suites, The Loren, and Hyatt Regency, all of which are a 15 minute walk to the DAC. We've never stayed there, but we frequently visit the Speakeasy at Firehouse Hostel, which is a 10 minute bike ride to the Dac. Air B&Bs and other home share options are nearby for performance groups looking to share accomodations.
What about Transportation in Austin?
Our public transportation system is mediocre at best, but the city's bike share program is pretty great, and there are bike rental kiosks all over downtown austin. Austin's bus system goes all over town and finally joined the tap-to-pay world for payment of fares, but is pretty slow. Check google Maps for quick route information.