The Long Dark Masque'd Ball

Introduction to Mask-Making & Drama Workshop

Workshop Title: Exploring Masks: The Art of Transformation, Healing, and Expression

Welcome to the Mask-Making & Drama Workshop! In this ongoing creative journey, we will delve deep into the origins, healing powers, and psychological dimensions of masks. Through the art of crafting and performing with masks, participants will explore themes of identity, self-expression, and transformation. This workshop aims to create a safe space where we uncover the masks we wear in life, both literally and figuratively, and investigate their roles in shaping our experiences.

Workshop Overview

Throughout history, masks have been used in a myriad of ways—from tribal rituals to dramatic performances, psychological exploration, and spiritual healing. Masks have allowed individuals and societies to connect with their subconscious, adopt new identities, and express parts of themselves they may otherwise keep hidden.

This workshop is structured around four key themes:

1. Origins of Masks in Human Society:

   • Historical & Tribal Roots: Masks have been used by indigenous cultures worldwide for millennia. From ancient Egypt, Africa, and Asia to the Americas, masks have played roles in ceremonies, rites of passage, and spiritual rituals. In many tribal societies, masks are believed to carry the power of the gods, ancestors, or mythical beings, serving as conduits for spiritual energy and protection.

   • Ritualistic Significance: Masks in ancient Greece were central to dramatic performances, allowing actors to embody different characters and archetypes. Similarly, in Japanese Noh and Balinese theatre, masks helped performers tap into the collective unconscious, representing primal forces, ancestors, and emotions.

2. Healing Powers of Masks:

   • Therapeutic & Cathartic Uses: Mask-making and performing offer an opportunity to express deep-seated emotions, helping to access and release parts of the psyche that may be repressed. In drama therapy, wearing masks allows individuals to project internal struggles outward and gain new perspectives on personal challenges. The healing power of masks lies in their ability to facilitate a release of emotional energy and foster self-understanding.

   • Symbolism of Transformation: Masks offer a symbolic journey of transformation—participants can transcend their usual identities and explore new personas. This transformative experience can help them confront fears, unresolved conflicts, or repressed desires in a controlled and creative environment.

3. Subconscious Aspects of Mask-Wearing:

   • Dissociation & Identity Shifts: Masks create a psychological distance between the wearer and their everyday persona. By dissociating from their typical self, participants can explore hidden aspects of their personality and discover facets of their identity they may not have been aware of.

   • Jungian Archetypes: Masks allow individuals to connect with archetypal energies present in the collective unconscious, such as the Trickster, the Hero, or the Shadow. These archetypes can surface when wearing masks, allowing participants to explore the subconscious forces that drive their thoughts and behaviors.

4. Dissociative Effects and Humanity's Need for Masks:

   • The Mask While Not Wearing a Mask: This concept explores how we wear metaphorical masks in everyday life—our roles, jobs, social expectations, and public personas. We often hide behind invisible masks to fit in, project confidence, or conform to societal norms.

   • The Mask While Wearing a Mask: Here, we explore the layering of masks—how one might wear a mask on top of their social or internal ‘mask.’ Through mask-making and performance, participants will confront the multiplicity of masks they wear and peel back layers to uncover their authentic selves.

     
     

Workshop Structure

Session 1: Introduction to Masks & Cultural Significance

• Discussion on the origins of masks in ancient rituals and drama.

• Introduction to how masks have been used as healing tools in various cultures.

Session 2: Exploring Healing through Mask-Making

• Guided meditation and mask-making activity to access deeper emotions.

• Drama exercises exploring personal and cultural identity using masks.

Session 3: Masks & the Subconscious

• Discussions on Jungian archetypes and the subconscious meaning of masks.

• Creation of "Shadow Masks" to explore repressed aspects of the self.

Session 4: The Dissociative Power of Masks in Performance

• Workshop on dissociation through masks: embodying new personas.

• Group performance, where participants will experiment with duality (mask within a mask).

Session 5: Humanity’s Masks: Social & Internal

• Open forum to explore the metaphorical masks we wear in daily life.

• Mask performance exploring the concepts of inner and outer masks.

Ongoing Themes for Future Sessions

• Mythical Beasts & Totem Masks: Crafting masks that represent mythical creatures or spirit animals.

• Cultural Masks Exploration: Diving into the masks of a particular culture (e.g., Venetian, African, Balinese).

• Psychological Journeys: Creating masks representing the inner child, the Shadow self, or the Ideal self.

• Social Identity Masks: Exploring societal roles (e.g., the Worker, the Parent, the Leader) and their masks.

• Masks of Emotion: Creating masks that personify abstract emotions such as anger, joy, grief, and fear.

Expected Outcomes

• Personal Growth: Participants will gain deeper self-awareness by exploring different facets of their identity through mask-making and performance.

• Emotional Release & Healing: Mask-making offers a non-verbal outlet for expressing emotions, providing therapeutic benefits.

• Connection to Cultural Roots: Understanding the historical and cultural significance of masks will foster a connection to ancestral traditions and shared humanity.

• Creative Expression: The mask-making process will tap into the participant’s creativity and imagination, leading to the creation of unique personal artifacts.

• Empowerment: By confronting and interacting with the metaphorical and literal masks we wear, participants will leave the workshop feeling more grounded, authentic, and empowered.

Conclusion

The Mask-Making & Drama Workshop is an ongoing exploration of self and society. Each session will build on the last, creating a continuous journey of personal and communal discovery. Participants will leave with new perspectives on identity, creativity, and the power of masks in both ancient and modern contexts.

Feel free to contact us for upcoming themes and join us on this transformative journey of masks, where we uncover the layers of human experience.

Contact: +27 81 530 8372 to enquire.