Masking Unmasked Four Approaches to Basic Acting [Paperback]

Acting with masks is one of the most ancient stage techniques still in use today. Masking Unmasked is a basic guide to using this ancient art to develop character and movement in four sections that correspond to mask size: Full-Face Masks, Clowning, Bag Masks, and Half-Face Masks. Each section addresses fundamental acting principles and shows how the ancient technique can be applied to the contemporary stage. It is the perfect book to use as background to traditional, non-masked acting principles. For instance, mask acting provides a great way of strengthening core acting skills. Actors in masks experience the primary goal of acting because they are required to tap into profound physical, vocal, emotional, and psychological transformations in the course of creating a character. In addition, masking promotes honest, believable, and detailed work. Illustrated profusely throughout, the hands-on exercises developed by Simon teach actors to shift cleanly between beats, execute moment-to-moment specificity, unleash creative impulses, take risks and expand character range, power and vulnerability. Masking Unmasked is a book of ancient acting techniques that are indispensable for the actor of today.Overview Full-Face Masks Clowning Bag Masks Half-Face Masks

This unique and outstanding book addresses the most complex problem of acting: how does an actor inhabit a character, engage an audience, and at the same time retain - indeed, capitalize upon - his or her individual authenticity? Professor Simon's solutions are as delightful as they are instructive. An eye-opening work that will prove immeasurably useful to actors at all levels.

- Robert Cohen, Claire Trevor Professor of Drama, UC Irvine

This brilliant, innovative, and beautifully organized book on using masks for actor training is a real treasure. Internationally known teacher anddirector Eli Simon focuses on four systems of masking that illuminate the most important and eló‡