We are investigating face, hand and body expressions to be applied to avatars to improve their communication capabilities and enrich and facilitate their perception by users of a virtual environment. We support the idea that avatars have to be designed in such a way as to express state of mind, mood and emotions that are easily understood. We report on our work based on obtaining inspiration from the world of theatre. In this perspective Commedia dell’Arte and Noh theatre have been the focus of our attention. The outcome of this work is a visual language for avatars made up of postures, gestures and appearances.