Theatrefolk Featured Play – We Are Masks by Lindsay Price

Welcome to our Featured Play Spotlight.  We are excited to feature We Are Masks by Lindsay Price – a one-act dramedy that challenges performers and audiences alike to examine the masks we all wear every day.

We all wear a mask. Some hide for good reasons. Some for self preservation. Even when you’re ready to take off your mask, it’s a hard thing to do. What will happen when the world sees who you really are?

Four teenagers wear a variety of masks: Imposter Foster. Persona Paloma. Nolan No-Try. Macy Maintains. Each has to make a choice – show the world their true self, or stay behind their mask. Who will reveal themselves? Who will stay in the shadows?

Let’s hear from the author!

1. Why did you write this play?
The idea of public persona and private persona is a great one to explore on the stage because unlike real life, you can show both. Anytime we get to see “inside” a character is amazing theatre. It was fun to decide which mask each of the characters would wear, and whether or not they would shed their mask by the end of the play. Not all the characters do.

2. Describe the theme in one or two sentences.
We all wear masks. What will happen when the world sees who you really are?

3. What’s the most important visual for you in this play?
The masks! Both the ones that the ensemble wear that we can see and the ones the characters wear that are invisible.

4. If you could give one piece of advice for those producing the play, what would it be?
Discuss with your students the idea of public and private persona. Your students are going to be able to provide a lot of insight about how the people they see every day wear a mask. How can they take their real world experience and translate to their characters?

5. Why is this play great for student performers?
The theme is relevant, and there are awesome physical action possibilities with the ensemble. Everyone wears a mask – what’s yours?