Official William Hall Mask Workshop Registration - Feb 9-10

acrouch · Post by **acrouch** » January 21st, 2008, 4:01 pm

Many people express alarm about the "dangers of Mask work." I think this is an expression of the general hostility to trance and is unfounded...

People seem to be afraid of three things: (1) that the students will be violent; (2) that the students will go "mad"; (3) that the students will refuse to remove the Mask when instructed (a combination of the first two).

- Keith Johnstone, Impro

Check out Jason violently going mad with William Hall

Masks and Trance with William Hall
Saturday and Sunday, February 9 & 10
11am-2pm
$65 for the two days.
limit 10 people
email acrouch spat gmail spot com or PM Andy to register

William Hall, one of the only master teachers of Mask improvisation is running a two-day workshop at the Hideout in February. He's bringing his box of Masks, so come get your minds blown.

Email acrouch spat gmail spot com or PM Andy to register

nadine · Post by **nadine** » January 21st, 2008, 4:27 pm

is there going to be general improv classes as well? whicih i think was mentioned in this thread?

http://forum.austinimprov.com/viewtopic.php?t=5338

mcnichol · Post by **mcnichol** » January 21st, 2008, 4:37 pm

What are masks / how do they fit in with improv? (I haven't read Impro, so maybe it's explained in there.)

vine311 · Post by **vine311** » January 21st, 2008, 4:42 pm

I'm in. I don't understand how it works but I know it's pretty awesome and kinda freaky. It's kind of like an out of body experience.

acrouch · Post by **acrouch** » January 21st, 2008, 4:52 pm

mcnichol wrote:What are masks / how do they fit in with improv? (I haven't read Impro, so maybe it's explained in there.)

It is explained in Impro. There's a copy in the AIC library if anyone wants to check it out. The last chapter is all about Masks and Trance.

In my mind, Mask work gives you permission to be wholly in the moment -- a good Mask experience allows you to "become" the character of the Mask and drop the self-aware editing processes that take you out of the moment. Instead of acting, you're being, transcending ego, etc. In theory?

smerlin · Post by **smerlin** » January 23rd, 2008, 9:19 am

For me, it presents a unique opportunity to look in the mirror and actually see someone else, which can be very powerful.

It's a deep character experience and freakin' thrilling to watch other people do it. Although the direct application to longform improv is not 100% clear to me, I still recommend it.

Shawn · Post by **Shawn** » January 23rd, 2008, 10:14 am

dang it ... i'm going to be in Houston that day

LuBu McJohnson · Post by **LuBu McJohnson** » January 23rd, 2008, 11:52 am

So the mask is like character work but on crack?

kbadr · Post by **kbadr** » January 23rd, 2008, 11:58 am

Yes. It's like ritualistic character work. It's very interesting. I'd love to do this if I were in town.

Jules · Post by **Jules** » January 23rd, 2008, 3:45 pm

I'm in.
I'm looking forward to it. I did a lot of mask work in college and it can be an intense and very educational experience. And freeing.

acrouch · Post by **acrouch** » January 23rd, 2008, 6:17 pm

Only two spots left in the Mask class.

kaci_beeler · Post by **kaci_beeler** » January 24th, 2008, 12:51 am

If Roy's in, I'm in.

acrouch · Post by **acrouch** » January 24th, 2008, 12:24 pm

Only one spot left in the Mask class

Justin D. · Post by **Justin D.** » January 24th, 2008, 4:12 pm

kaci_beeler wrote:If Roy's in, I'm in.

They have become one!

And, um... yes, the masks class looks interesting. Not in the budget right now though.

acrouch · Post by **acrouch** » January 24th, 2008, 11:38 pm

Mask class is full. Email or PM me to get on the waiting list.