Mask Project

Lesson Four:
Resources: Masks made by students.

Aim and Objectives:To create and develop the Character of the mask through the use of
Movement, body language, gesture and hot seating.
To introduce the notion of ritual.

1.

Re-cap what have we achieved in previous lessons?

2.

Each student holds up their mask and says the word which describes the way in which the
character of the mask may move (homework from previous week).

3.

Each student finds a space in the room on their own. They look at the mask and think
about how the character may move around the room.

4.

Students turn their back to the teacher and put their mask on. They adopt the appropriate
stance for their character and turn to present the mask to the teacher. They must be in
character.

5.

Explain that this is part of the ritual of mask work. That you always turn your back on
the audience (in this case the teacher) when putting the mask on, establishing the stance of
the character.

6.

Repeat the above and begin to move students around the room in character.

7.

Ask the students: “Is it possible to answer questions in a full mask without
speaking?” Encourage them to think about how they can communicate through body
language. Those with halfmasks may speak. Encourage open questions that demand
more than just a one word answer.

8.

In groups of four, students go outside of room and enter wearing mask and in character.
They sit and are hot seated by the rest of the class.

9.

Point out that the good questions asked by the class helped those that were being hot
seated to develop their characters. Ask individuals who were hot seated if they knew what
they were going to say before the questions were asked. Verify that there are no “right”
answers just answers that feel right.

10.

What has been achieved/learnt in today’s lesson. What have students thought about. Refer
to words on “Drama Vocabulary” display.

11.

Ask class how they would develop this work into pieces of Drama. Use their suggestions
to plan next two sessions using movement and improvisation.

Daniel Lockwood
Edmonton County School
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