Theatrical masks workshop

FINLAND, 2023

When?

Dates: Saturday 18th – Sunday 19th February 2023

Time: 10 – 17 hrs

Where?

Sipola 11 taidetila,

Sipolantie 11,

Rovaniemi

Finland

This weekend workshop is an introduction to the fun and playfulness of theatrical masks. Originating from the Lecoq physical theatre tradition, this workshop will be an exploration of the relationship between form, dynamics and the projection of theatrical space through masks and the poetic body.


Participants would 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 Beth has made, participants would develop their theatrical skills and to laugh through the journey of theatrical masks.

types of mask in the Workshop


Larval 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.


Expressive Full Masks take a step towards the human, extending the journey into dramatic territories and characters.


Expressive Half Masks is where the voice of the artist arrives along with the energetic rigor of comedia del arte play.


We will learn techniques of playing masks to bring incredible worlds into the spectator’s imaginations. These tragic/comic masks have an incredible power and magic for story telling and opening up poetic spaces.

We can cater to adults of all abilities who are interested in play and theatre, providing the opportunity to move and explore embodied play with theatrical masks.

Workshop requirements

  • 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
  • There are a maximum of 12 participants attending
  • Participants need to wear black clothing that they can move around in freely.
  • Masks provided by Beth with antibacterial wipes

Cost

Donations only.

FacilitatorS

Beth Twentyman

Mask-maker & Facilitator

Beth is a mask maker, teacher and performance artist who is from Melbourne, Australia. She has a bachelor’s degree in Performance Studies, Masters in Speech Pathology and has studied theatre creation at Helikos International Theatre school in Italy in 2013 and 2016.
Most recently she completed 3 months pedagogical training to hone her skills in facilitating workshops and theatre classes.

How this workshop came about

We are able to offer this workshop as we are fully funded through our KONE residency grant and so would be no cost to participants who wish to attend.

Beth Twentyman has been funded to come to Finland to collaborate with Henni Kervinen on an artistic- anthropological project entitled: Considering Identity and Different ways of Knowing based on Corporeality. At the core of the research is how masks have served as a fundamental tool in the study of one’s own and others’ humanity in different cultures, to change states of the realms of the everyday to represent archetypes and characters that tell stories in the theatre.

Theatrical masks can be a tool to support performers to become more aware of their own body and their profound power to create characters and tell stories. When a mask is played, we see everything, every movement, every expression, we learn clarity in movement, silence and experience the fun of telling stories using the poetic body in space. As part of our research, we are seeking personal reflections and feedback from the participants about their experience of playing the theatrical masks, which would anonymously contribute to the
research project.

Register here