Zan Ganassa (Italian: [ˈdzaŋ ɡaˈnassa], Lombard: [ˈzaŋ ɡaˈnasa]; c. 1540 – c. 1584) was the stage name of an early actor-manager of commedia dell'arte, whose company was one of the first to tour outside Italy.
[2][4] From 1574 to 1584 Ganassa performed in Spain during the reign of Philip II,[5] where he exerted considerable influence on early Spanish professional theatre.
He was so popular that the authorities in Seville withdrew the troupe's license: workers were neglecting their jobs in order to see the plays.
Ganassa is mentioned numerous times by Lope de Vega, who may have based his comic servant gracioso on commedia dell'arte types.
Ganassa also donated again to the Cofrades in 1582 to help build the second permanent theatre space of Madrid, the Corral del Príncipe.