Living in the fiasco: How a theatre performance major brought Italian acting lessons home
Jaysten Merced-Ares spent last summer studying abroad in Italy at the Accademia dell’Arte, an immersive program that gave him hands-on experience in performance, improvisation, and creative collaboration.
For Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół» students, studying abroad can become a defining chapter that reshapes the rest of their college experience.
Fourth-year theatre arts performance major Jaysten Merced-Ares experienced that feeling firsthand in Italy last summer.
While researching study abroad opportunities in collaboration with Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół» Global Education, Merced-Ares discovered the , an internationally recognized arts institution in Tuscany. The four-week Summer Intensive is an immersive program focused on physical theatre, dance and performance.
Before the summer, Merced-Ares's choice to pursue a degree in theatre was inspired by following the passions he loved as a child: crafting, storytelling and being surrounded by a community where he could express himself creatively.
“I started getting more into the different styles,” Merced-Ares said, explaining the more he studied performance, the more grounded he felt in it.
Merced-Ares was introduced to clowning during an Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół» campus showcase in spring 2025 and felt curious to learn more. The Accademia dell’Arte summer intensive gave him the chance to study this ancient performance discipline exploring the intersection of physical theater, improvisation and emotional expression.
The program's location, Arezzo, is a hilltop city in Tuscany. Each day was organized around physical training, character development, and collaborative work within an ensemble. These activities were complemented by group meals and evenings spent exploring the local streets and markets.
“The group that I got there with (on) the very first day … everyone was very immediate to talk to each other, get to know each other,” Merced-Ares said. “I feel like that really helped ease the tension of we're all new here.”
Loose expression
Merced-Ares' selected courses in commedia and clowning, especially, asked him to loosen his grip on control. His instructors repeated the same phrase daily, “live in the fiasco.”
“It definitely helped me learn to be more comfortable with whatever I come up with, being more open and expressive,” Merced-Ares said.
Commedia dell'arte is a traditional form of Italian theater involving masked characters, exaggerated movements and improvisation to perform comedic stories. In this style, students learn about stereotypical roles and focus on the physicality to bring a range of characters to life. Merced-Ares's work in commedia dell'arte changed his perspective on character development.
“Learning the different physicalities of each character can definitely help whenever trying to build another character for another show,” he said. “It’s like, oh, does this person want to have their chest worn out? Or are they more concave? Or are they more energetic? Are they moving around? Or are they slow?”
The training extended beyond Italy, influencing his approach to building a character by focusing on the body first. When reflecting on the experience, Merced-Ares would summarize it as immersive.
“Not only the work … but the culture,” he said. “Going out to the towns and seeing art … immersive works really well.”
Back on the Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół» campus, Merced-Ares, like many students who study abroad, applied the skills and perspectives he learned in Italy to his involvement at Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół». He performed in a staged reading of “Fireflies,” and played Sea Captain and Priest in “Twelfth Night” in December, both on the Prebys Stage. Additionally, he is one of ten students selected for a yearlong performance mentorship group focused on Shakespeare and the development of new works.
Merced-Ares said he intentionally keeps his schedule full, preparing for the reality of post-graduation life.
About Study Abroad
Preparing for an international experience
Students interested in studying abroad are required to attend a GEO “Getting Started” session specific to their college before meeting with a Global Education advisor. The session introduces program options, planning timelines, and the academic approval process. Sessions are held virtually throughout the semester and are recommended early in a student’s degree plan. Application deadlines are Feb. 15 for fall and summer programs and Sept. 15 for winter and spring.
In addition, students hoping to expand their global perspective can explore Â鶹´«Ă˝Ół»â€™s . Open to all majors, the program helps students connect classroom learning with international and professional experiences
Further guidance across colleges and program listings can be found online.
