Mask Makers Web

by Annette Chittenden , Yale-New Haven Teachers Institute "....The masks in the slide collection represent two broad groups of Native Americans: The six nations of the Iroquois and the natives of the Northwest Coast. Noticeably absent will be a discussion of the masks of the southwest. This is not due to a paucity of material, but to the sacredness of the images which prohibit photographs of many masks of the Zuni and Hopi. ....."

Added on: May 02, 2001 | Hits: 8232

For your next function consider using the services the Satire Workshop has to offer. Whether it be for a rally, cultural gathering, public meeting, strike, conference, cabaret, schoolroom, street stump or fund raising dinner, the Satire Workshop can come up with skits, routines, monologues and other theatre pieces to suit the focus of your event. In the South East Queensland region, the New World Order Theatre specializes in this style of theatre and carries some of these playlets in its repertoire. All of the ones listed on this page have been performed. Contact us with your requirements or questions and we'll get back to you.

Added on: Mar 20, 2001 | Hits: 8764

The School of Visual Theater trains artists in a variety of disciplines in the performing and visual arts. It is a unique institution in offering interdisciplinary studies in techniques of performance art, dance, multimedia, puppet theater and stage design. Over the course of three intensive years of study, the school provides its students with practical tools and theoretical knowledge, combining group study and performance experience. Each student receives individual instruction and guidance according to his/her needs and areas of interest

Added on: May 01, 2001 | Hits: 8955

Children. Students will: Learn about the history of the Vejigante character. Be able to distinguish between the three different interpretations of carnival in Puerto Rico and cite their influences. Discuss the influences of other cultures on their own culture. Make the papier-mach? mask the Ponce Vejigante wears. Learn about the music and dance associated with the festivals. Hold their own carnival celebration. TIME NEEDED Six 45 minute sessions (This unit could be done in conjunction with the art teacher who would conduct Parts III-V.) MATERIALS NEEDED The Legend of the Vejigante Video and Activity Book Poster board Scissors Flour Water Masking Tape Newspapers Gesso (optional) Acrylic or Poster Paints PROCEDURES Part I (45 minutes) Talk briefly about carnival as the celebration before the beginning of Lent. Discuss the roots of this ritual as a "farewell to the flesh" or giving up of meat during the fasting period. See if students can name some carnival celebrations (Mardi Gras in New Orleans, Fasching in Germany, Carnaval in Brazil). Introduce the character of the Vejigante. Post some illustrations from the activity book. Have students give descriptive words about the Vejigante (demonic, animal-like, festive, colorful, etc.) and write them on chart paper. On a map of Puerto Rico point out the three towns where celebrations are still held (Lo?za, Hatillo, and Ponce). Tell how the Spanish came to the island in 1495 and, upon discovering its wealth of natural resources, renamed it Puerto Rico or "rich port." Discuss how the Spanish, finding the island ideal for sugar cane farming (important for the rum trade), needed workers and brought slaves from Africa who settled in Lo?za. Look at the ways in which the slaves incorporated the new Catholic religion introduced to them while protecting their own African deities (through song, dance, duality of idols, etc.). Compare with the ways slaves in the southern US adapted. Listen to a tape of bomba music and hear how the African rhythms (drums, guiro) combine with Spanish instruments (cuatro, guitar). Part II (45 minutes) Tell students they will be watching a video that will illustrate some of the things they discussed in the last session and give an overview of the mask they will be making in the next session. Show the video The Legend of the Vejigante. Ask students to discuss the rituals they observed in the video. What are some other religious holidays that are also public celebrations (Easter, Halloween, Christmas)? What are the rituals and symbols associated with these holidays? Have the students try to learn one of the call and response chants found in the festivals. Hand out a page from the activity book for students to color to decorate the room. Part III (45 minutes) Hand out the poster board, scissors, templates, and masking tape. Explain that today you will construct the basic structure of the mask. Use the video to review the instructions. Play bomba music and post the illustrations to inspire the students while they work. Part IV (45 minutes) Use this session to apply the papier-mach? to the cardboard masks. Again use the video to review the procedures. Note that it is advisable to have several days between these sessions to allow sufficient drying time. Part V (45 minutes) Use this session to let the students paint and decorate their masks. Encourage them to add their individual touch. Part VI (45 minutes) Have students create their own carnival. Let the students suggest ways to make the event come alive. They could conduct a parade down the hallways, dance to bomba music, lead the call and response chants, hand out candy, chase the younger children with their vejigas, etc. Vejigante Lesson Plan ? Exit Studio 1996. Lesson Plan may be used on an individual basis at no charge. However reproduction, redistribution, or resale is strictly prohibited. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Learn More About the Vejigante Lesson Plan for "Ta?no" Learn More About the Ta?nos

Added on: Oct 09, 2002 | Hits: 8098

TheatrGROUP is a theatre company with "method" acting training on-site. It is open 24-hours, seven days a week for members. This page will lead interested individuals to descriptions of various techniques and procedures of so-called "method" acting. What you will find here is not copied from books. It's in my own words, and composed for you with definitions, analogies, descriptions and examples of this work which I am able to relate to you after studying, teaching and using it as an actor for the past 23 years. I hope you enjoy. There are many fine books about this subject, and I have listed my favorites, with descriptions of their contents at this site.

Added on: May 03, 2002 | Hits: 9135

In addition to touring Trestle is committed to an extensive Education and Outreach Programme which, through workshops and residencies, enables thousands of young people and adults to participate in an arts activity every year.

Added on: Dec 27, 2000 | Hits: 8580

MASKS! introduces students to mask theatre as a powerful and exciting art form. Students see improvisations done with masks ranging from neutral masks to fantastical masks, including animals, humans, giants, and objects. UMO Ensemble also uses half-masks to explore the element of voice and conversations. The ensemble introduces each style of mask and gives a brief history of its origination. Following the performance, students will have the opportunity to ask questions and look at the masks close up.

Added on: Mar 30, 2001 | Hits: 9693

Performing in the street demands a lot of the voice. Many practitioners of street theatre deal with this aspect of performance by relying overwhelmingly on a visual presentation. We don't share that view. While there is a limit to the number of people that can hear you at any readymade site it is still feasible to present a show driven by dialogue if the performers are trained to get the best out of their voice.

Added on: Mar 20, 2001 | Hits: 9044

by Mary Koepke Amato One rainy afternoon, my son Max turned into a bird. Not an actual live bird, of course. We had made simple bird masks out of paper, and when he put on his mask something magical happened. His arms spread out; his feet beat a wild rhythm; and his voice warbled a bold new song. My very shy three-year-old guy puffed up with power. And when he removed the mask, his face radiated intense joy, as if he?d been given wings. Since that enchanting day, masks have been as important to us as crayons or blocks. Hanging on hooks about our kitchen are more than 75 faces: pig, jackal, robot, wolf, and more. Primarily we use them to act out familiar folktales and stories of our own creation. My kids ? and other kids over for play dates ? call these improvisations "mask games."

Added on: Jan 31, 2001 | Hits: 9855

Site in danish

Added on: Dec 31, 2000 | Hits: 8752

AT: LINGUA Via della Marina, 8 57024 Marina di Castagneto Carducci (LI), ITALIA ( ITALY )

Added on: Jun 10, 2002 | Hits: 8082

Stephan Vernier, maskmaker for The Danish Theatre Thalia, offers courses in mask construction in paper mach? as well as other materials for larger masks or for masks with specialized purposes. The Paper mach? tchnique used is extremely durable, and creates a flexible, comfortable mask which, when properly constructed, can breathe, unlike latex and many other materials.

Added on: Jan 30, 2001 | Hits: 8328