How to Create Masks for Greek Theatre
Greek theatre has its roots in ancient Dionysian cults when, during religious celebrations and rituals, Dionysus (God of Wine) worshipers imitated the behavior of mythical followers of this god. The crude plays were stories about mythical beings, staged in the form of songs and dance. Aeschylus (525-456 BC) is given credit for introducing the mask to Greek theatre. At that time, plays were performed with the help of only two male actors. There were no female actors. The different roles were portrayed with the help of an exaggerated mask, which also amplified the voice of the actor so the audience could hear the dialogue.
Things You'll Need
- Cardboard
- Pencil
- Animal hair (real or faux) or colored construction paper
- Scissors
- Glue
- Perforator (or some means to punch holes into the mask)
- Rubber band/ string -- 7"
Instructions
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1
Draw the face for your mask. Draw a simple circle on cardboard about the size of your own face. Draw the eyes and eyebrows to clearly show the expression you want the mask to bear. In other words, if you want the mask to look sad, angry or happy, create eyes to show that expression. Eyes tilted downward look sad; eyes tilted upward look happy. Pay attention to the eyebrows, as well.
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2
Draw the outline of the mouth to express the emotion you want the mask to portray. Make the mouth large and accentuated. Make a line curving upward to create a smile. Make a double line curving upward to express a bigger smile or laughing. A straight line might indicate irritation. A line curving downwards indicates sadness.
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3
Cut out along the outline of the mouth. For the eyes, cut out only tiny holes in the place for the pupils and leave the rest of the eye drawing intact.
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4
Add hair to the mask. Cut long, thin strips of the colored construction paper. Alternatively, you can use the animal hair. After you cut enough long strips to make the hair, wrap it tightly around the pencil to curl it.
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5
Stick the curled paper to the mask to make it look like hair. If the mask portrays a man and you want it to show beard, stick curled paper for the beard.
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6
Punch two holes on either side of the mask. Take the rubber band or string and tie it through the holes you have punched on either side of the mask. Fix the mask on your face with the help of the rubber band or string.
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