Masking Unmasked

Acting with masks is one of the most ancient stage techniques still in use. “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 a useful 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 Eli 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.

Author Biography

Eli Simon is Professor of Acting at the University of California, Irvine, USA. A specialist in masking, commedia, and clowns, Simon has taught and directed at training programs throughout America, Korea, Italy, Spain, and England. He is the author of Masking Unmasked: Four Basic Approaches to Acting , and his clown troupe, CLOWNZILLA, has received national and international acclaim.