Commedia dell'Arte

This form of improvisational theatre began in Italy in the 16th century. Commedia dell’Arte performances followed a repertory of conventional plot lines written on themes of adultery, jealousy, old age, and love. These characters included the forebears of the modern clown, namely Harlequin (English for Arlecchino).
Both the concept of improvisation and the dramatic costuming and masks draw me to them as a subject.