Celebrating masks and physical theatre since 1987
| Text only | Celebrating masks and physical theatre since 1987 |
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During this residency, Trading Faces helps participants learn the necessary skills to devise a polished performance using the company’s masks. The company responds to the level of expertise in the group to ensure everyone achieves their maximum potential. The skills covered during the residency are not only valid for mask theatre, as many of the disciplines represent a solid basis for most performance work. After an introduction to mask and theatre skills the group improvises short scenes to explore the potential of the masks. A suitable theme for performance is then discussed. Trading Faces adds to the skills base of the group each day, providing new opportunities and techniques which can be used in the performance. The group is encouraged to work as a team by being supportive and offering constructive advice to each other throughout the devising process. By the fourth day, Trading Faces prepares a rough structure using the group’s ideas and improvisations to create the skeleton of a performance. Over the last two days the team explores and develops the dramatic opportunities, looking at character development and journey, comic timing and rhythms within the piece. The project workers direct the show and help provide technical support and a simple set for the performance. “The project was far more intensive than I had imagined and the pace and integrity of the work was quite astonishing. Such a level of trust and confidence was built up between leaders and students that extremely ambitious and challenging work was achieved.” “Trading Faces have taught the students a tremendous amount… their enthusiasm has helped to raise the professional level of the students’ work”
Collaborative arts residency Trading Faces invites other art form specialists to collaborate on residencies where the focus is intended to be wider than mask theatre. Like Trading Faces’ project leaders, the collaborating artists are professional practitioners in their own art form as well as being experienced in leading participatory work. These residencies take place over one or two weeks and are usually available to larger numbers of participants. On collaborative residencies the residency structure is usually devised so that each participant works in more than one art form to ensure that none of the participants is working in isolation and to make the final performance a richer experience for both audience and participants. The company is happy to discuss and create a collaborative residency to meet your needs. "Trading Faces are, rightfully, well established for their creativity in performance and workshops with masks. This is a company that opens people's eyes to the possibilities of mask work and converts the steeliest sceptic. " John Hucker National Drama “The company is so positive, relaxed and encouraging. The participants blossomed as a result of their attitude as well as their teaching skills.” Suz Dobson, Debenham Leisure Centre
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Devising and performing with masks residency