THE BODY OF MASK
CONSTRUCTION & PLAY
A journey of inquiry & play into the essence of theatre masks!
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Masks are archetypes present throughout the history of humanity from ceremonial ritual to the arts and sciences, and today they are fundamental tools in the training of the actor-creator.
“…Combining a strong emotional awareness with a powerful body alertness, mask is a complete training for any theatre artist, laying the foundation for work on characters for all theatre genres."
When the facial expressions of actors are covered, this experience with mask initiates a rediscovery of the very source of their presence in space. Gestures are amplified and articulated while play is brought back to the body. This experience gives participants the physical awareness and the performance tools necessary to explore and understand the world of theatre masks.
“...my aim with this work is not to give you new techniques or new rules but to share with you my knowledge and understanding of the world of masks, in its essence, for you to bring it to life and use it as a tool to support your own artistic purpose.”
This hands-on, practical experience proposes an introductory research on fundamental gestural approaches to specific types of theatre masks, traversing the study of Neutral Mask, Larval Mask and Primary Mask, to the half masks of the Human Comedy and Commedia dell’Arte.
The journey begins with a mask construction seminar for designing and sculpting a theatrical half-mask of the students’ own creation. This session will be led by sculptor and mask-maker David Knezz.
Students will explore the following technical mask-making phases:
- designing the mask
clay modelling for a mould of the designed mask
realization of the mask in hardened, papier mâché
Each student will be provided with all materials during this phase of the work.
The journey will continue with the practical study of:
 | The Neutral Mask is a pedagogical tool that serves as a basic reference point for all mask work. It proposes to the actor an experience grounded in a state of balance, calm and silence: the here and now of space. |
 | Larval Masks were transposed from the ancient Carnival masks from the city of Basel, in Switzerland by Jacques Lecoq as powerful training tools. They have a tremendous pedagogical value in any artists’ physical training because they ask for amplified gesture in order for the body to give the mask life. |
 | Primary Masks are unique half-masks that propose essentialized human characters defined by a single, dominant dynamic in space. They challenge the actor to embody very specific human characteristics where primary emotions take precedence over intelligence and understanding. At this stage, the mouth of the performer is revealed for the invention of language. |
 | Expressive Half Masks and Commedia dell’ Arte Masks are phenomenal instruments for playing. They introduce the actor to a precise physical definition of character through the play of urgency and survival. This style demands from the actor a very high level of physicality where the body is completely engaged and constantly receptive. |
Weekdays – 6.00pm to 10.00pm
October: Tues, Wed, Thurs. 6-7-8, 13-14-15, 20-21-22
November: Mon, Tues, Wed. 2-3-4, 9-10-11, 16-17-18
$75 each week (6 weeks total)
All material included
Contact Paola to schedule a phone conversation previous to the registration
