Photo: Dody Disanto

Have you ever put on a mask and felt a strange desire to do something you wouldn’t ordinarily do?  All over the world, the act of concealing one’s face has been a significant part of life, from religious ceremonies, funeral rites, warfare, and dramatic reenactments.

Masks have been used in theatre for centuries.  Actors began training with masks as a way to focus more attention on the story being presented, rather than on the actor playing a role.  The basic theatre mask is the Neutral Mask, a plain, featureless mask that evokes nothing by itself, but allows the actor to use bodily expression to suggest his or her created character.[1]  Upon mastering the neutral mask, actors move on to more complex masks, depicting intricate characters.

Working with masks has many benefits outside of making art and having fun – participants improve body awareness, become able to express themselves physically, and get in touch with their imagination and creativity.

Come to JAM: July at Milagro to step out of your life for an evening, and into character!  Dañel Malán will show you how to make your own mask, before helping the class to work together to create a unique piece of theatre, using your masks to inspire expression and movement!

Mask-making and movement classes are Tuesdays July 9th and 16th, 6-9 pm at El Centro Milagro, 537 SE Stark St., Portland, OR 97214. 

Register now! Call: 503-236-7253

1. http://www.theater-masks.com/about-masks-in-actor-training