The Journey of Theatrical Masks Workshop

A Weekend Workshop to play through the journey of theatrical masks

Alice springs, 2024

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This workshop is an introduction to the fun and playfulness of theatrical masks.

Participants will be guided to play through different styles of mask (see below) within the workshop which is a supported place for people to participate in activities focused on breath, movement and technique to embody and play a multitude of characters.

Using the masks that I’ve created, participants would have a chance to explore masks, connect, to move, increase their theatrical skills and to laugh through the journey of theatrical masks.

MAsks

Masks belong to the world of archetypes and have been present in the history of humanity since the beginning. Essential elements of ancient theatre, they were the glorious protagonists in the Golden Age of Commedia dell’Arte in 16th and 17th century. Today, they represent a fundamental step in the training of the physical actor-creator.

Through covering the facial expressions of the actor, the mask allows them to go back to the roots of their own presence in space. Gestures are amplified and transposed, and everything is brought back to the body, thus giving the actor a complete new sense of space, presence and dramatic expression. The voice has to be masked too, in order to match the level of playing of the mask.

This combination gives students the physical awareness and the skills to explore the world of masks on stage. Mask play (le jeu masqué) combines strong emotional awareness and a powerful body alertness, with a rigorous technique of articulation of the body into dramatic attitudes.

Larval masks

These masks create a space of sensitivity and naivety.

Through breath, amplification of movement they introduce people to the silent world where characters come to life and communicate through movement.

They may reduce the vision of the person which creates the need to be sensitive to the space around and give the person the opportunity to play with a character that comes from movement and gesture.

Full expressive masks

Building on from the techniques of the Larval masks, these full expressive masks take a step towards the human, extending the journey into dramatic territories and characters.

Half Masks

Half masks introduce the actor to a precise physical definition of a character. They are very defined forms in which the main dynamics of the characters appear, as well as their opposite aspects, the so called counter-mask.  Half masks have a specific tragic depth and can bring the actor to a very high level of poetic transposition, where laughter and crying are intertwined.

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PRACTICALITIES

SCHEDULE
Classes will take place over the weekend of the 6th and 7th of July
9:30am until 5pm Saturday and Sunday
TUITION
Registration: $ 150.00

For APPLICATIONS and for further information about the content of the workshop 
please contact Beth20man@gmail.com

Particpants are required to arrive on time, the space will be open 1/2 an hour before the start time for arrival and warm up

• There will be a lunch break, morning tea and afternoon tea each day (tea and coffee will be provided)
• Bring your own lunch (microwave and fridge available)
• Participants are required to attend whole workshop, it is not possible to attend only one day
• Participants need to wear black clothing that they can move around in freely.
• Masks provided by Beth with antibacterial wipes

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FacilitatorS