Cake Theatre Lab – Masks

Since January I have been working with Ian Pringle (Cake Theatre Lab / Geese Theatre) to create a set of naive or larval masks and developing a lab workshop to explore mask work techniques.

This has given us the opportunity to  trial some new exercises and develop  existing ones. It was an exciting day particularly as we had the opportunity to see our mask creations in use. The workshop day was fully booked. Labs are now getting very popular so it is well worth checking out the website and booking well in advance.

It was a great opportunity to work with the masks with a group who as whole were very responsive and open to trying out ideas. I have certainly developed my own practice as a result and felt  that everyone involved in the lab contributed something to this development.

We hope to run another mask lab in the future. With a new set of masks. Which this time I will try to keep up more of a constant blog about the process in order to share more of this side of my work.

In the meantime here is  work in progress of the first of the naive s.

Bamboozle Training Course

I have just spent the last two days in the company of a range of skilled arts faciliatators from around the country on a training course led by Christopher Davies of Bamboozle Theatre.

I have come away with much food for thought and lots of inspiration particularly in relation to the way a group enters a space and the way language can be used to  create a safe and non judgemental space.

This, as happens everytime I take part in a training course highlights for me just how important it is to continue to train. Not only might you be given something new, shiny and exciting but it gives you the opportunity to reflect on your current practice and enter into discussion with other practitioners, to trial ideas and raise your game.

Fantastic

University of the First Age

Another fantastic Family Learning Day !

If anything there was even more happening than last year. The workshops all sounded great – I managed to catch a glimps of the circus skills which looked like lots of fun and quite a challenge and heard some of the excellent drumming.There was a lot of interesting stalls including willow work (Forest Schools), origami, clay work, how to get fit with Bangra dancing and many more that we on the Dramask mask making stall were too busy to get a chance to have a look at.

The mask making went even better than last year with lots more parents getting involved in learning the technique and my delivery being in more workshop style and it was great to see some familiar faces from Hutton Hall.

There is only one thing left and that is to thank all the people, in particular Rob Horrocks for the excellent coordination and hard work in making it happen.

Under Construction

This Site is currently undergoing re development. Please call back or e mail me at dramask@gmail.com for further information.

FREE EVENT

University of the First Age is holding a Family Learning Day on Saturday 4th April at Symphony Hall Birmingham.

Following on from the success of Dramask s mask making stand at last years Family Learning Day (organised by the University of the First Age on behalf of Birmingham Study Support Strategy Group) We are pleased to announce we will be returning again with the opportunity for all budding mask makers to come and have a go.

The event is completley free and there is loads to get involved with.

We had a fantastic time last year and are really looking forward to being part of this again.

come on down and check it out.

Cake Theatre Lab – Impro

I have attended a few of these labs now and can only say what a pleasure it has been … having the opportunity to get together with people and explore an idea or a new approach is fantastic.

There is nothing quite like learning in a non judgemental space that allows you to really try things out. There has been nothing like this in Birmingham as far as I have seen and reminds me of an arts centre in Luton when I was a teenager. It was here that I really got into theatre and the arts and would go with a few mates every Saturday to sample a range of workshop delights. Cake reminds me of this because it is coming from the same place a genuine desire to bring together people who are interested in developing their skills, sharing ideas and tryign things out.

I loved this one in particular, although I was once again reminded  just how much discipline there is the world of  improvisation.  Great stuff, tiring, fun and a fantastic learning experience.

If you do not already know about Cake you can check it out here .

Kings Heath Boys Mask Making Module

It was great to be back at Kings Heath Boys School working alongside two very talented drama teachers. I had delivered a mask and theatre project as part of celebrating sanctuary in 2005 when a group of young people form the school created an impressive performance that explored the theme ‘A Safe Place’

Since January I have been working with Btec Performing Arts Students as they explore a range of mask making techniques. Below are some work in progres examples of their response to producing a set of masks for a production of Theseus and The Minotaur.

And some comments about the sessions:

“My imagination and creativity skills have increased “

“It has helped me think more creatively. It has also helped me think more out side  the box with drama work”

“It has made me realise I am actually good at something new”

Excellent work

Sir Rhubarb and The Green Wolf

Sir Rhubarb and the Green Wolf has been described as an Urban Folk Opera and features local creatives Paul Murphy and Louis Robinson from the Destroyers. I had a meeting with Paul and Valeria a couple of weeks ago and left it feeling inspired and very excited as they had asked me to create a mask for the performance and specifically for Louis in his role of The Green Wolf.

Louis was brilliant as he came over to have his head cast early the next week and sat for some length of time encased in Plaster Bandage. The mold was then filled with plaster and provides the basis for the designing process.

Louis Head Cast

Since then I feel like I have spent most of my time looking at pictures of wolves, watching the lovely animation by Paul Nocher (check it out here) and sculpting in clay.

It’s quite a departure from the masks I am used to making although already I am quite wanting to make more in this style.

Come along and check out the show on Saturday 6th December at Birmingham Town Hall. It’s going to be a great family outing.

Mask Making in Cotteridge Park – Arts On The Move

I have just delivered another mask making session in an unusual setting. This time as part of Cotteridge Parks – Wigloo building day. You can check out more about Wigloos here. The one in Cotteridge Park provides a play area.

Cotteridge Park has to be one of the most amazing little parks that I have ever visited. Not only is it a beautiful setting but there is so much going on there. I had a quick tour before starting my session. Areas include a skate boarding area complete with high quality graffiti, a story telling area and an ampitheater built out of natural materials. I really recommend you visit their website as it will give you a lot more details and let you know of events that are happening in the near future.

The mask making was well received and the results were great. There was a lot of family involvement at this one and the addition of making tissue paper flowers which we left with Emma from Cotteridge Park to use to decorate the Wigloo at somepoint.

I unfortunately did not have my camera and infact we were so busy I am not sure we would have had the time to take pictures anyway.

Arts on the Move – Cloverlea Hall

Last Monday – 22nd October I spent making masks with a fantastic group of children and young people from Cloverlea Hall Holiday Scheme.

The mobile arts unit worked well for the workshop and the resulting masks photographed by Rita Fletcher (you can see her photographic work here ) were lots of fun. The holiday scheme was going to continue the activity the following day with those that made the masks having the opportunity to add paint.

Here are some examples of the work along with comments from the children and young people.

“I think this activity was really fun and exciting” Mujahud

“It was cool and fun” Asam

“It was great Thank you!”

“It was fun the masks were scary…I was really scared…Really Really…x”

“I liked doing the teeth” Humera

“It felt funny sticking stuff on my face…I loved it!” Liba

“It was good because I got to do something new and different and I now                                       know how to do it off by heart” Khuram