Volume 1 Number 3
Hi Folks,
LESSON/ACTIVITY IDEA
Mask work is a great way to introduce younger students to the idea of movement and control, in older students it can extend their non-verbal repertoire. Mask work can encourage students to look inwards and find new aspects of their performance. Here is a strategy I use - for all sorts of reasons...
Prepare a series of neutral mask templates - I use a photocopied outline and a cut out nose that gets added in afterwards. I do NOT allow for these masks to have a mouth - they have eyes and a nose.
Also supply scissors, tape, ribbon or string for attaching the mask, a single hole punch and some reinforcements if you have them...
Also have a music system handy with plenty of evocative and atmospheric instrumental music.. ambient to begin with and something more dramatic when the acting section begins. Have on hand a collection of prop items - tin cans, vases, ropes, etc anything really...
On the day of the class - have some gentle ambient music playing, dim the lights, then stand at the door and instruct students that once they enter they must be silent and that the only voice will be yours - do it with some solemnity and they will get the idea.
Guide the students through the process of constructing their mask - to be done silently with the music playing - encourage them to use charades rather than whispers to ask for anything they need.
Once they have made their mask they are to wear it and wait until everyone is ready...
This next phase normally lasts at least 40 minutes... use your own script obviously, I try to take on the quality of storyteller but the story is told in "second person" ...
Let them wait a little - change the music to something a little more dramatic... then begin to guide them with a comforting yet authoritative tone of voice through the following activity:
Each person is to act as if they are the only person in the room. They find themselves here - and just as the neutral mask has no history and no expression, they are to allow all their knowledge and experience drift away - they are recreated, tabula rasa, they are a blank slate.
They are to explore the space and discover everything as new - they do not understand or have language for anything... they are unaware of other people - only themselves and the space - they should notice textures, sounds, colours... they should discover their senses...
Slowly they come to awareness and consciousness and eventually begin to notice other things like themselves moving in the space - they are to investigate this phenomenon... explore how these other's behave, how they respond - DO NOT SPEAK TO OR TOUCH EACH OTHER
Introduce some props or random items into the space
They are to investigate these objects and after exploring they should decide on one "special" item they are to keep...
They should place that item in a safe place in the room and find a way to signify its importance to them (create a ritual to honour it)...
They should then investigate what others have created... if they feel that what they discover is more relevant they should join in honouring the new object... they form alliances - they move from individual beings to social beings...
Once they have established their social grouping they should attempt (without verbal or physical contact) to enlist new members - to lay claim to new territory, to show the superiority of their object over the others that exist... they may attempt to take the objects of others - they should protect what is theirs (again without physical or verbal contact)... they may use coercion, fear, seduction, anything they can imagine...
They should find a way to coexist with any remaining groups...
When they can live in harmony - they are to rest and reflect on the way they have come to this point...
Ask them to remove masks but to remain silent... sit and feel and think... look around at other people...
Let the music play a little longer... if there is time bring them together in a circle and discuss the activity...
RECOMMENDED WEBSITE
The Mask Studio is a place where masks are designed and made for theatrical productions and carnivals. David Riley is a regular correspondent. He is currently offering masks for sale and has extended the possibilities of the basic mask making technique offered at DramaWest by Kim Flintoff. David's contributions are available from this site - he also has an interesting tale to tell about his connection with Louis Nowra's "Cosi"...
PROFESSIONAL NEWS
Details of Mask Making and Performance courses being offered by the organisation.
"The summer workshop series provides unique short-term training opportunities with some of the top physical theatre artists anywhere. Many of the workshops run in conjunction with the Dell'Arte Mad River Festival, featuring original performances from around the world and down the block."
RECOMMENDED RESOURCES
Mask
Improvisation for Actor Training & Performance : The Compelling
Image
An excellent text covering numerous
aspects of mask; including historical aspects, neutral mask, character
mask and the manufacture, construction and design of masks. This is one
of the best books I've seen on mask work. I believe it is an
absolute must for any teacher wanting to teach with masks.
Read
my review at Amazon.com
Playing
Commedia
by Barry Grantham
"Grantham offers a thorough and very practical approach and while
the focus is on commedia the principles and techniques he addresses
serve as an ideal introduction to mask work generally. I'd say
that this book more than many others is essential reading. It has manual
status. Check it out."
Kim Flintoff
Copyright © September, 2004