Neutral Mask Work in Acting and Its Importance
How can neutral mask work be helpful in acting?
The Neutral Mask is the basis for all theatre masks. It
allows us to understand how each character development should start from neutrality or a blank page per se. Because a neutral mask doesn’t have any dramatic expression, it allows
the actor to explore a state of pure presence in the here and now.
As an actor, it is often easy to use the text and facial expressions when developing a character, and it is easy to loose sight of how the body is affected. Consequently, the mask challenges the actor to start working
with the whole body to show emotions and relations. The neutral mask allows the actor to become aware of what
angles, movements, tempo and movement quality to use in relation to emotions and particular situations.
It is sometimes forgotten how much the smallest angling of head, neck or even a
finger can give out information. Using movement on purpose and acknowledging its every
detail gives new layers to the performance and its characters. Often, less is more and the simplicity of small details show more than a "pulled face" and thoughtless movements. Consequently, working with neutral masks shows us subconscious movements the actor may not even notice during typical non-masked character preparation or rehearsal. With a neutral mask it is far more
easy to see extra movements and poses.
Just as an actor portrays emotions through spoken words/text, an actor should also be able to tell a story with movements. A neutral mask challenges the actor to do this, and as the actor is using movements to tell a story, the audience should be able to connect words to the movement. In the late stages of a rehearsal process, author, Toby Wilsher of A Mask Handbook, A Practical Guide, suggests removing the mask and to verbalize the internal monologue while still engaging in the movement.
Jacque LeCoq who wrote The Moving Body summarizes the the purpose of neutral mask work quite well, “Essentially, the neutral mask opens up the actor to the space around him. It puts him in a state of discovery, of openness, of freedom to receive. It allows him to watch, to hear, to feel, to touch elementary things with the freshness of beginnings."
What are your thoughts about neutral mask work?
Video: How to Make a Neutral Mask by Quetta Carpenter
Just as an actor portrays emotions through spoken words/text, an actor should also be able to tell a story with movements. A neutral mask challenges the actor to do this, and as the actor is using movements to tell a story, the audience should be able to connect words to the movement. In the late stages of a rehearsal process, author, Toby Wilsher of A Mask Handbook, A Practical Guide, suggests removing the mask and to verbalize the internal monologue while still engaging in the movement.
Jacque LeCoq who wrote The Moving Body summarizes the the purpose of neutral mask work quite well, “Essentially, the neutral mask opens up the actor to the space around him. It puts him in a state of discovery, of openness, of freedom to receive. It allows him to watch, to hear, to feel, to touch elementary things with the freshness of beginnings."
What are your thoughts about neutral mask work?
Video: How to Make a Neutral Mask by Quetta Carpenter
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