Ms. Monsod

For Block G, this homework is due Friday, October 8.

MY MASK: INTRODUCTION TO COMMEDIA DELL’ ARTE

Please do the following in chronological order:

A.        Take a picture of your commedia dell’ arte mask and study its physical characteristics in detail.

B.        Interpret the mask in your own fashion.

1)       The animal that I think best corresponds to this mask is the __________ because ___________________________________.

2)         The word that I think would best describe the emotional expression of this mask is            __________.

3)         The word that I think would best describe the voice of this mask is __________.

C.        Take on the character of the mask. In the first person, tell us about yourself by        completing the sentences in the most creative (and fitting) manner you can:

1)         I am __________.

2)         My age is __________.

3)         I truly like ___________.

4)         If there is one thing I abhor it is___________.

5)         Do you notice the __________ on my face? Let me explain how it came to be that            way: ___________.

RESEARCH

1. Look up the name of your mask by clicking on the link http://www.theater-masks.com/commedia-masks. The name of my mask is __________.

2 . Look up your mask in the book Commedia dell’ Arte. (You may have to   look in the index if your mask is a “derivative” of another. If so, identify it when answering the next question.) Read the chapter on your mask.

3.  How close was your interpretation of the mask to the original? Explain in at least 500 words.

Alecchino mask

Block G started working with neoprene commedia dell’ arte masks today (Block A begins Monday). First we did mirror work, experimenting with different placements of head, shoulders, chest, pelvis, knees, and toes. They found postures that they thought best fit their masks and then developed walks and sounds from these postures. They improvised discovering objects in the room. Then we paired up and did little portraits of masks “discovering” common objects.

What worked:

Allowing the audience to view and get accustomed to the mask before going into action.

Punctuating moments by registering with the audience.

Emitting a soft sound at a strategic moment.

Directing the mask to the audience (and the light) and avoiding profiling and turning back to the audience.

PHOTOGRAPH from http://www.theater-masks.com/commedia-masks/commedia-mask-arlechino-1