5.3 Making Masks

Masks have been used since before the beginning of recorded history. They symbolize emotion, feeling and character and are brought to life by the actor who wears them. Masks have been made of many different materials and their construction continues to evolve. Perhaps some of the most visible examples of modern day usage can be seen in the movies as special effects. Masks have long been used in the theatre to portray characters that would be otherwise impossible to create. Some masks are used to conceal identity.

In this section you will learn:

• how to plan for the making of a mask
• the materials and methods used to create masks