Activity Duration: 1 Hour. Recommended Ages: 6 - 10 Years Old.
Today many people wear masks: superheroes, nurses and doctors, firefighters, etc. But did you know that some people create and wear masks for plays and musicals? This allows the actor to become a new character--a mythical creature , a valiant hero from ancient tales, the ruler from another world. For this activity, you will able to design your own theater mask for your own performance!
Materials
- Chinese Opera Mask - Download the template here and print on white copy paper or card-stock.
- Scotch tape
- Crayons
- Plastic knife (or Popsicle stick)
- Scissors
* if you do not have a printer at home, draw a large circle the size of your head and copy the pattern on the template as best you can.
Instructions
- Color the Mask. Pick dark colors for a villain, outlandish colors for a mythical beast, bright colors for someone happy, lots of blue for someone sad. The colors on the mask say a lot about the character.
- After you have colored your mask, you will cut it out of the paper.
3. Take your plastic knife (or Popsicle stick) and tape it to the back of the mask. This will be your handle!
4. Now you have your very own theater mask! Think about a character you would like for your mask to be, and when you put on your mask, you become that character! Are you a spy, a superhero, or a celebrity? Or are you someone else? Use your mask to tell a story and you can even have a mask for all of the characters!
The possibilities are endless!
Share with us your masks! Snap a photo of your mask and share with us at aarc@austintexas.gov. We'll post your creation on Instagram!
Enjoyed this activity? We would love your feedback! Complete the brief program and event survey today!
Want more free and fun at home activities? Check out more activities from the AARC's Education Program!
Credits:
Created with images by Russell_Yan - "chinese opera mask costume" • suketdedhia - "dancer with mask buddhist buddhism" • Russell_Yan - "chinese opera mask costume"