• Membership will give drama teachers access to a host of resources designed to help you introduce and teach masks in the classroom. Lots of games and exercises and discussion start-points for audience involvement. These resources will appear as a library of videos, articles, audio tutorials, practitioner interviews and Q&A sessions. We cover every aspect of mask theatre:
• Why masks in education – the benefits to students and teachers, the academic lessons, historical and cultural analysis.
• How the mask works – Understanding the power of the mask, the neuroscience behind the perceived transformation, the relationship between actor and audience.
• Pre-mask exercises and games – learning the via negativa, the restrictions imposed by the mask. Exploring physical acting, comedy, timing and character.  Mask-specific skills such as inner monologue, counter-mask, decision-making, clarity and economy.  Also looking at improvisation basics.
• First contact with the mask.  Exercises to bring the mask ‘alive’ in singles, duos, trios and bigger groups. Suggested Hot seat scenarios. Audience perception and feedback. Trouble-shooting first attempts at mask-work.
• Improvising in masks, suggested scenarios to develop material.
• Adding stimuli for the mask, such as music, props, costume, hats, wigs
• Devising for the mask.  Creation of short sketches to longer pieces. Suggested structures for devising – Observation or Narrative.  A look at story-telling structures and ways to create visual stories.
• Developing time on stage.  Bringing depth and meaning to mask acting.
• Visual theatre tools.   Focus, ‘camera’ techniques, visual chords, Black box approach to text.
• Rehearsal techniques for mask work.  Directing and managing mask actors.
• Allied genres.  The half mask, commedia and puppetry. Silent film.
• Mask making to fit all budgets and resources.  Mask design and construction techniques.  Dressing the mask.
• The application of the mask in theatre.  How many different ways can a mask be used on stage? Adding mask to extant text. Creating the world of the play with visual tools. Roles for masks – reality, fantasy, dreams, flash-back, nature, aliens, subconscious, the secret friend, the ghost, the memory, the cartoon made real.

For students wanting to study the mask, we offer direct contact with leading practitioners for interviews and Q&A. Many of the videos and tutorials are relevant to the student as they create their own work as actors or devisors.  We offer to assess students work sent to us on video.  We will be creating a record of the creation of several mask shows, from first ideas through to performance, to de-mystify the creative process and offer signposts to students. Toby Wilsher has been studied by students as a practitioner for many years, with TRESTLE THEATRE COMPANY and as author of THE MASK HANDBOOK.

With over 40 year’s experience writing, performing and touring mask theatre, we have plenty to offer the practitioner.  Whether you’re an actor, writer, director, designer or maker, The Mask Theatre Workshop can offer advice, tutorials and hands-on training to help you create mask plays or add masks into productions.  Mask-work done badly can ruin a production, so we can help you avoid the pitfalls and hit the high notes. The library is at your disposal to look at specific skills and tools that cover every aspect of mask acting and devising. Lots of advice on mask-making, design, and materials to use.

We offer a space for mask enthusiasts to meet, chat, share experiences and ask questions.  For such an ancient artform, masks are ever-evolving and can be continuously assessed and studied. New materials come on the market, new companies appear, so keep in touch with the Mask Theatre Workshop Community.