Mask technique and performance (level 2)
- Course Code: DRB161
- Dates: 22/09/24 - 22/09/24
- Time: 11:30 - 17:30
- Taught: Sun, Daytime
- Duration: 1 session
- Location: Keeley Street
- Tutor: Sean Croft
Course Code: DRB161
Duration: 1 session
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
This practical course builds on the initial skills learned in our level 1 course Mask Technique and the Body and takes the practices of mask work into advanced performance settings.
This course will challenge you as you begin to develop and craft the specificity and nuance recquired in covering emotion, character and scenario - solely with your body and the mask, towards a performance level.
Working in devised and improvised settings you will grow your physical sensitivity and understanding of emotion within the body, which you can take away and use in other forms of theatre performance in the future.
What will we cover?
We will recap and further build upon the skills developed already in the first course, before digging deeper into the technicalities of mask work and connection with the audience.
Layering this with breath and emotional engagement, we will explore strong emotional conveyance and subtlety within emotion, akin to working in film. This will then lead us into creating and working physically with our bodies towards a character that is dynamic and nuanced for you to perform with.
We will take these newly honed skills and throw them into scenes and improvisations that develop story, relationship and character, discovering Mask and the techniques and their power within performance settings.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
• A heightened awareness and sensitivity to using your body and physicality towards acting and performance work
• Experience working with masks in improvised and devised settings, developing character, relationships and emotional nuance within your performance using your physical body
• Create interesting varieties of characters using physicality and techniques within class towards performance. including understanding and exploring emotions, rhythm and tempo, focus and presence on stage.
• Explore Mask techniques and how to fully develop this into performances
• Perform, create and devise your own ideas and work.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
This is an improvers course. An understanding of acting and a familiarity with physical training practices is useful.
You should have completed the level 1 course Mask Technique and the Physical Body or have a rich understanding and awareness of working with your body through physical theatre techniques, mime, clowning or similar.
In order to get the most from the course you will be able to:
• Listen and respond to instructions and feedback.
• Take part in class discussions.
• Read a script and/or related text.
• Work within groups and pairs safely.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
There will be solo, partner and group work. The classes build up gradually, starting with a warm up that prepares for and tunes into the theme of each session. This process (for the most part) does not require a ‘copy the teacher’ style of learning, instead you are asked to physically engage with and explore given instructions to find a deeper connection to your body, which in turn will act as a base for communication in pair and small group work.
HEALTH CHECK
You may or may not be asked to participate in rigorous activity from time to time. Please consider whether you could do this, if you are in any doubt consult a medical practitioner.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
Masks will be provided.
Wear comfortable appropriate clothing that allows for ease of movement. Similar to something you would wear going to the gym. Absolutely no jeans/boots. No shoes required, in fact bare foot moving is advised (slip-proof socks are permissible). As we engage in some contact work with other students it is essential to observe good personal hygiene and wear clean movement clothes to class.
Bring with you a hat and one or two items of clothing such as a large jacket/jumper/shirt you can put on and off, quickly, with ease.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
Search our website for Physical Skills For Actors which offers Stage Combat, Mime, Physical Theatre, Movement for Actors and Lecoq techniques or speak to the tutor for advice and guidance.
Sean trained at École Internationale de Théâtre Jacques Lecoq, a world renowned school for physical theatre. Over the two years he trained in devised theatre, ensemble building, character development, mask work, mime, object manipulation / puppetry and clowning, among a vast array of other training. Sean also trained at East 15 Acting School on the BA Hons / Acting & Stage Combat degree graduating in 2011, gaining specialist skills in nine different weapon sets alongside an extensive acting program, in contemporary and classical work and practitioners. Sean works as a performer, director and choreographer, and regularly leads workshops and courses for theatre companies across the UK, Europe and Asia. His approach to theatre follows predominantly from his training at Lecoq, with the body and with a playful curiosity, exploring the space and how the body moves within it. In his courses he hopes to open up a deeper understanding of performance technique, emotional engagement, physicality and the exploration of all aspects of life through theatre and to share his deep profound love of what he does with others.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.