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Introduction to Mask

Created by Allison Williams

This unit focuses on having students gain an understanding of basic physical acting and learn some specific tools to use in mask work. Instructor Allison Williams has developed this unit, and explains "What I love most about mask work is how, by having students cover their faces, they are able to find freedom to express themselves physically. They often make bigger choices than we’re normally used to seeing them make in class."

In this unit, students will work step by step from identifying shapes in the mask to using those shapes to creating a character zero to learning how to move in the mask utilizing the qualities of movement to applying everything they’ve learned in short scenes. The unit will culminate with students working in pairs to create original mask scenes.

You will need masks to complete the unit. And while mask-making can be a lot of fun, it’s a lengthy and messy project. A list is provided in the Overview of where you may be able to buy or rent masks for use in your classroom.

mask

Overview

The overview lays out the expectations and objectives for the unit, and describes each of the lessons included.

1: Introduction and the Running Man

Students will be introduced to the unit through the running man exercise. This exercise demonstrates how physically committing to a specific set of actions creates a sense of emotion without the actor having to play the emotion.

Attachments

2: Exploring the Architecture of the Mask

Students will learn how to identify the architecture of a mask—that is to choose specific shapes that they can mimic in their bodies to find a mask character.

Attachments

Slide Deck Lesson 2

3: Character Zero

In this lesson, students will learn what a character zero is, how to use the body to create a character zero, how to physically commit to that body before moving, and how to make bigger choices in their character zero and in their movement.

Attachments

Slide Deck Lesson 3

4: The Qualities of Movement

In this lesson, students will explore the eight qualities of movement to give more variety, texture, and richness to their movement choices and then apply the qualities of movement to their mask work.

Attachments

Slide Deck Lesson 4

5: Mask and Countermask

All masks can be played in more than one way, even if there’s a dominant look. In this lesson, students will explore how two physical interpretations paired with each other and opposite to each other become the mask and the countermask—the opposite reaction. They will then apply the qualities of movement to their mask/countermask.

Attachments

Slide Deck Lesson 5

6: Mask Scenes

Short, simple scenes help the mask actors find character and start responding to each other in the moment as their characters. Students will explore solo, duo, and group scenes in their mask characters.

Attachments

Slide Deck Lesson 6

7: Final Project

Students will take everything they’ve learned and use it to create an original mask duo scene.

Introduction to Mask

Standards Addressed

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