The students will learn the basic methods for creating facial expressions that demonstrate particular emotions and reactions. The students will observe masks created in Mexico in contemporary and indigenous styles. Students will select an emotion and create a mask similar to the style they observed. Students will them perform a pantomime wearing their mask and project their emotion to an audience using the mask and body language.

Created by Kimberly Fryman, August 2007

TEKS §117.64. Theatre, Level I.
Knowlege and skills.

1.  Perception. The student develops concepts about self, human relationships, and the environment, using elements of drama and conventions of theatre. The student is expected to:
   (A) improvise, using emotional and sensory recall;
   (C) employ stage movement and pantomime consistently to express thoughts, feelings, and actions;

2.  Creative expression/performance. The student interprets characters, using the voice and body expressively, and creates dramatizations. The student is expected to:
   (A) demonstrate safe use of the voice and body;
   (B) analyze a character from a script, describing physical, intellectual, emotional, and social dimensions;
   (C) portray believable characters when applying acting concepts, skills, and techniques.

3.  Creative expression/performance. The student applies design, directing, and theatre production concepts and skills. The student is expected to:
   (A) develop and practice stage-craft skills;
   (B) safely apply technical knowledge and skills to create and/or operate functional scenery, properties, lighting, sound, costumes, makeup, and publicity.

4.  Historical/cultural heritage. The student relates theatre to history, society, and culture. The student is expected to:
   (A) portray theatre as a reflection of life in particular times, places, and cultures.

Show the students an example of the comedy and tragedy masks. Ask them why we use these to represent drama. Have them brainstorm ways in which masks are used today. Then introduce the history of the mask in the theatre.

• Explain to students that in ancient Greece, all actors used masks when acting and as a result the comedy and tragedy masks are used today to represent the theater. Use the “masking emotions” PowerPoint presentation to teach students which facial movements create and communication emotions and reactions. Call attention to the mask pictures included at the end of the instructional section.
• Students will select an emotion for which they would like to design a mask and short pantomime to communicate to an audience.
• Using drawing a paper, students will create a rough design and turn this in for approval.
• Students will then use modeling clay and other materials to create a mask in the Mexican style that communicates their chosen emotion.
• The teacher will facilitate while the students present a short pantomime wearing their masks for the theatre class. The class will then name the emotion the student has communicated.

Evaluation

• The rough sketch will be a daily grade.
• The completed mask will be a test grade. A rubric is included.
• The pantomime and mask performance will be a test grade. A rubric is included.

Enrichment

Students may interact with each other wearing their masks and create a longer pantomime set to music.

Students who may be struggling can perform their pantomime with a partner, be allowed additional time to complete the assignment, or perform for the teacher only.

Lesson Materials:

Masking Emotions PowerPoint (Right Click to save as a PowerPoint) Examples of masks in Mexico Masking Emotions Rubric

Modeling clay
beads
bright tempera paints
brushes
paper pencils
colored pencils

Links to Related TIDES Art Activities:

Dia de los Muertos Skull Activity

Vea esta lección en Español aquí