EA273-5-AP-SO:
Mask
2024/25
East 15 Acting School
Southend Campus
Autumn & Spring
Undergraduate: Level 5
Current
Thursday 03 October 2024
Friday 21 March 2025
15
31 March 2021
Requisites for this module
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
(none)
BA W495 World Performance
The module engages students in a study of two or three mask-based performance forms, with an overview of interpretative and performative issues in mask work.
- To introduce the distinctive performance concerns attaching to the use of mask in a range of World contexts
- To explore the creation of a mask and to experiment with its deployment in performance
- To engage critically with the meaning and significance of the mask in different cultures
Students will be able to demonstrate:
- Knowledge and understanding of the distinctive uses of the mask in a range of performance forms
- Ability to engage with performance skills for various masked performance forms or traditions
- Creativity and critical awareness in selecting and preparing material for performance and seminar presentation.
- The ability to collaborate and negotiate with peers in practical work
- The ability to articulate and interrogate their own and others’ practice with respect to mask-making and masked performance
1. Overview: Masked performance
A brief survey of key examples of the Mask in performance from a variety of cultural and historical backgrounds, including professional and community forms.
2. Case studies
In-depth examination and exploration of various forms of masked performance (e.g. Ancient Greek theatre, Commedia dell’Arte, Shamanic performance, Noh theatre, etc), including techniques for adapting, making or developing the mask; movement and (where relevant) vocal skills in each chosen form of masked performance.
3. Mask Workshops: Practical sessions of mask work in various traditions beginning in the first term with Neutral and Character mask work for developing physical expressiveness and creativity. In the second term workshops will continue with in-depth work on two or three significant mask performance forms (e.g. Graeco-Roman masks, Balinese Bondres, Commedia dell’Arte, Japanese Noh, etc.)
4. Creating Masks: In group mask-making workshops, students will be introduced to simple techniques for creating masks. Drawing on case studies of various mask traditions, each student will create a functional mask and describe both the product and process in a seminar presentation which may include performance.
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Marshall, L. and Oida, Y. (1992) Actor Adrift. London: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC.
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Stanislavsky, Konstantin (no date)
An Actor’s Work?: A Student’s Diary. Edited by Benedetti, Jean. Available at:
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/universityofessex-ebooks/detail.action?docID=325509.
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Stanislavski, Konstantin (no date)
An actor’s work on a role. Available at:
http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780203870921.
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Leach, Robert, (no date)
Makers of Modern theatre?: An Introduction. Available at:
http://www.taylorfrancis.com/books/9780203487860.
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Aristotle, (no date) Poetics /Aristotle?; translated with an introduction and notes by Malcolm Heath.
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Barba, E., Fowler, R. and Savarese, N. (2006)
A dictionary of theatre anthropology: the secret art of the performer. 2nd ed. London: Routledge. Available at:
https://essex.alma.exlibrisgroup.com/view/action/uresolver.do?operation=resolveService&package_service_id=4613765190007346&institutionId=7346&customerId=7345.
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Adrian, B. (2008) Actor training the Laban way: an integrated approach to voice, speech, and movement. New York: Allworth Press.
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The above list is indicative of the essential reading for the course.
The library makes provision for all reading list items, with digital provision where possible, and these resources are shared between students.
Further reading can be obtained from this module's
reading list.
Assessment items, weightings and deadlines
| Coursework / exam |
Description |
Deadline |
Coursework weighting |
| Practical |
Continuous Assessment of Practical Work |
|
50% |
| Practical |
Seminar Presentation |
|
30% |
| Practical |
Mask Creation Project |
|
20% |
Exam format definitions
- Remote, open book: Your exam will take place remotely via an online learning platform. You may refer to any physical or electronic materials during the exam.
- In-person, open book: Your exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer to any physical materials such as paper study notes or a textbook during the exam. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, open book (restricted): The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may refer only to specific physical materials such as a named textbook during the exam. Permitted materials will be specified by your department. Electronic devices may not be used in the exam.
- In-person, closed book: The exam will take place on campus under invigilation. You may not refer to any physical materials or electronic devices during the exam. There may be times when a paper dictionary,
for example, may be permitted in an otherwise closed book exam. Any exceptions will be specified by your department.
Your department will provide further guidance before your exams.
Overall assessment
Reassessment
Module supervisor and teaching staff
Dr Jeungsook Yoo, email: jyoo@essex.ac.uk.
Margaret Coldiron
mcoldi@essex.ac.uk
No
No
No
Available via Moodle
No lecture recording information available for this module.
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