• 4.2.2 experiments with performance spaces and production elements appropriate to purpose and audience.
• 4.2.3 explores and uses aspects of dramatic forms, performance styles, theatrical conventions and technologies to create dramatic meaning.
• 4.3.1 identifies and describes elements of drama, dramatic forms, performance styles, techniques and conventions in drama.

• 5.2.2 selects and uses performance spaces, theatre conventions and production elements appropriate to purpose and audience.
• 5.2.3 employs a variety of dramatic forms, performance styles, dramatic techniques, theatrical conventions and technologies to create dramatic meaning.
• 5.3.1 responds to, reflects on and evaluates elements of drama, dramatic forms, performance styles, dramatic techniques and theatrical conventions.

• information and communication technology
• gender
• literacy.

Students will:

1. review slides 2-3 of the Greek theatre masks PowerPoint (PPTX 5.52 MB) and summarise the key points in their logbooks.
2. as a class, discuss why the masks might have been made from all natural materials and the impacts this had on the environment.

Students will:

• review slides 4-5 and discuss the origins of the Greek word 'persona' meaning mask. Identify the link to the contemporary meaning of the word persona and personae
• review the images of masks provide and discuss how character is communicated within these masks. Highlight the following:
  • lines
  • shapes (eyes, mouth, nose)
  • facial expression
  • the intricacy of work (high status versus low status)
  • angle of eyes (angled up or down to communicate status).
• summarise how masks communicate character.

1. Students work in pairs and experiment with how their facial expression and facial features communicate characters and emotions. They might choose to take photos of their face expressing a specific emotion (anger, happiness, sadness) and analyse the lines and shapes their face makes
2. Students then decide upon four facial expressions that will provide the basis for their masks design
3. Students create four designs based on four emotions using the four emotions handout (PDF 3.09 MB).

1. As per slide 7, students draw bigger versions of two of their masks on cardboard and create wearable masks that will be used in the remaining tasks.
2. Students are encouraged to consider how they can exaggerate line, colour and shape to make their character/emotion clearer for the audience.
3. To extend students? skills, introduce them to the Elements of Design and Principles of Composition using the Prezi provided and ask them to justify their choices using this framework.

Students will:

• review slide eight and summarise the key information.
• discuss as a class, why these rules are in place and the impact they have for audience engagement.

The teacher guides students through the process of 'masking up' by outlined on slide nine. Through this process it is beneficial to segment instructions, asking students to consider how the masks changes different parts of their body. During this process they might ask the following questions:

• how does the ask change the way your head is sitting on your shoulders?
• how does the mask change the shape of your shoulder?
• how does the mask change the shape of your spine?
• how does the mask change the position of your pelvis in relation to the rest of your body?

It is beneficial to provide prompting questions that guide student's physicality from head-to-toe as students are encouraged to let the character bleed down their body. When unmasking, students reverse this process and return to a neutral state.

Students will:

• respond to the reflective tasks in their logbooks:
  • what went well?
  • what did not work?
  • how could you improve it next time?
• encourage students to use their workshop experiences to support their findings.