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Designing a Mask
Mini Project
Icons key:
Flash activity. These activities are not editable.
Teacher’s notes included in the Notes Page.
Accompanying worksheet.
Useful websites for further information.
For more detailed instructions, see the Getting Started presentation.
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Learning objectives
Understand the purpose of masks in a
theatrical production
learn how to design a mask
learn how to record the development of your
design ideas
learn about how masks are made.
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The purpose of masks
Masks are used in theatre to enhance a performance and to
communicate with the audience in a number of creative ways.
Productions can incorporate masks
for any of the following reasons:
as a form of disguise
to represent a specific emotion
to enable actors to have multiple identities.
How would you design a mask for each of these
purposes? What would you have to consider?
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Designing masks
A local theatre is looking for a designer to produce masks for
an upcoming production of Theseus and the Minotaur. They
have provided the following information about the characters
who will wear the masks in the play.
Theseus
The Chorus
In Greek mythology, Theseus was an
Athenian prince. When he learned that
Athens was required to send 14 girls and
boys each year to the island of Crete to
feed a fierce half-man, half-bull creature
called the Minotaur, he set out to kill the
beast. However, the Minotaur lived in the
centre of an elaborate labyrinth. Theseus
was only able to succeed with the help of
a local princess called Ariadne, who gave
him a thread to unwind as he went
through the maze so that he could find his
way out again.
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In Greek theatre, the
Chorus is a group of
actors whose function is
to summarize events or
give the opinion of a
group.
Often the Chorus sings
its part and represents
the views of common
people, for example the
residents of Athens.
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Designing masks
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Masks made of papier mâché
When creating your own mask, there are many different
materials to choose from. One of the most popular and
cost-effective of these is papier mâché.
Papier mâché masks can be made using
gum tape, tissue paper or newspaper,
layered on top of each other using
PVA glue, or flour mixed with water.
To save time, you can buy a basic neutral
mask as a base, and layer papier mâché
on top to form the shape that you need.
Investigate other materials used to make masks.
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