Of Mask and Mime
There are more than 300 courses offered through CSW's unique Mod System. Be sure to browse our online course catalog to read full descriptions and imagine what courses you would want to take here.
Of Mask and Mime
Of Mask and Mime is a five-week course taught by Barbara Whitney, Chair of the Theatre Department. As one of 80+ courses that fulfills the Social Justice graduation requirement, Of Mask and Mime examines the history of corporeal mime, global rituals of mask work, and how the concept of self is shaped in experiences outside of our own. Students study performers like The Marx Brothers, Charlie Chaplin, and Lucille Ball, while exploring foundational principles and histories of creating without words. Students also learn different methods of mime, clowning, and Commedia Dell’Arte mask work, while digging into histories of performative masks from all continents.
From there, students design and create their own pieces, ranging from thumb-sized masks to full face masks. Using their masks in individual, partner, and group work, students delve into the nuances of performance without language. Students focus on how to communicate their character through physical gestures, masks, and costumes, and develop a final project that they present to their classmates at the end of the mod. In this culminating project, students focus on an issue within social justice, and connect how mask work can reflect on that issue.
From there, students design and create their own pieces, ranging from thumb-sized masks to full face masks. Using their masks in individual, partner, and group work, students delve into the nuances of performance without language. Students focus on how to communicate their character through physical gestures, masks, and costumes, and develop a final project that they present to their classmates at the end of the mod. In this culminating project, students focus on an issue within social justice, and connect how mask work can reflect on that issue.
“This class really let me take creative risks in a way that I hadn’t explored before. I’ve been involved in theater, but creating a mask and diving into my character let me push myself, and I loved how much we incorporated social justice into our work.”
- Katie ‘16
- Katie ‘16
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"This class surprised me, mostly because I didn't know what to expect when I came to the first day. I liked how we learned not only a lot about clowning and miming, but also about how to express ourselves deeply without language."
- Cesar '16
- Cesar '16
CSW—a gender-inclusive day and boarding school for grades 9-12—is a national leader in progressive education. We live out our values of inquiry-based learning, student agency, and embracing diverse perspectives in every aspect of our student experience. Young people come to CSW to learn how to learn and then put what they learn into action—essential skills they carry into their futures as doers, makers, innovators, leaders, and exceptional humans who do meaningful work in the world.