Mask

Mask and Clown

For the classical actor, mask work is about generating energy, size and presence. The mask has a very practical use and a profound purpose: to make the body the primary instrument of expression rather than the face, and to develop the physical presence needed to inhabit a role. Mask work guides us to eliminate inhibiting habitual patterns, encourages clarity of movement and fosters a greater command of stillness. In distilling action down to essential rhythms, we comprehend the space and force of gesture. The actor discovers greater depths of expressiveness, how to move with power and presence and deeper understandings of spatial dynamics.

Clown

In Clown, we embark on the wondrous journey of rediscovering innocence and uncovering the pleasure of play. The red nose—the smallest mask—is both a great liberator and a severe taskmaster. It summons transparency in the actor while revealing in us all of our beautiful and complicated simplicity; a daring adventure, in which we open our fragile hearts in search of fun. The honesty and openness we find in Clown will inhabit all of our work.