This week You Theatre Thursday is excited to introduce you to the wonderful world of Mask Making! Youtheatre's Executive/Artistic Director, Todd Espeland, leads you through an interactive video on how to create your very own mask. Espeland is the former Artistic Director of Commedia Zuppa Mask Company, The Kalamazoo Civic Theatre and a graduate of the world renowned Dell' Arte International. While at Dell' Arte, Todd did extensive post-graduate work in Mask, Clown, Circus Techniques, Commedia Dell' Arte and Physical Theatre. He holds a MFA in Directing from the University of Nevada Las Vegas.
Materials You Will Need:
A plastic jug. It can be from a gallon of milk, a detergent jug, anything plastic and with a handle
Scissors
Tape
Some cardboard
Paper. It can be newspaper, white copy paper, construction paper, brown packing paper or paper
Paste for Paper Mache. You can use liquid wall paper paste or make your own from glue or flour.
Paints and brushes. Any paint will work. If you don’t have paint or want to get really creative make your last layer of Paper Mache out of white paper and color your mask in crayons or marker.
Make Your Own Glue Paste:
To make a glue paste, simply pour some white glue or wood glue into a mixing bowl and dilute with water so the glue gets a bit less sticky and can soak more easily into the paper. Use around a 1:1 ratio of water and glue. Stir thoroughly until the glue and water are mixed together.
Make Your Own Flour Paste:
For flour paste mix one part flour with one part of water (eg, 1 cup flour and 1 cup water, or 1/2 cup flour and 1/2 cup water) until you get a thick glue-like consistency. Add a bit more water if it's too thick. Mix well with a spoon to get rid of all the lumps. Store in a covered container in the refrigerator when you aren't using it. It will get moldy if left out. REMEMBER: If you decide to Paper Mache over clay, make sure you use a release agent like a thin coat of Vaseline or cooking oil so the paper wont stick to the clay.
If you want to try your hand at sculpting in clay or you want to get some wallpaper paste here are some order links through Amazon.
Wallpaper paste: https://www.amazon.com/207811-Universal-Wallpaper-Adhesive-Applicator/dp/B00FK8VNJE/ ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=wallpaper+paste&qid=1585589631&sr=8-3
Clay: https://www.amazon.com/Modeling-Clay-Sculpting-Molding-Premium/dp/B01AVEEBO0?ref_=fsclp_pl_dp_8
Reference Guide:
Click Here - How to Make Your Own Milk Jug Mask
Resources On Masks PDF Guide:
MASKS PART I - INTRO
MASKS PART II - TYPES OF MASKS
MASKS PART III - THE PROCESS
MASKS PART IV - SCULPTING
MASKS PART V - ASLAN
MASKS PART VI - YOUR MASK
