EPN-V2

DTV2100 Acting with Masks Course description

Course name in Norwegian
Maskespill
Study programme
Acting with Masks
Bachelor Programme in Drama and Theatre
Weight
30.0 ECTS
Year of study
2025/2026
Course history

Introduction

Acting with Masks is the study of a type of theatre in which a person physically uses or puts on a mask, and brings it to life through acting. Masks are often integrated in ordinary theatre. Specialisation in acting with masks provides the students with basic knowledge of how to produce theatre masks and about how masks can be used and integrated in different types of drama work. The mask in European theatre and Theatre of the Grotesque/Commedia dell’ arte is central in this course.

Applicants may be able to take this course as an individual course if there are vacant places.

The course covers the following four main areas:

  • acting with masks
  • production of masks
  • theory
  • subject didactics

Acting with masks

Acting with masks covers acting with both full and half-face masks. Acting with masks requires an increased focus on intentions and action. Theatre masks require bodily engagement. The focus will be on different acting styles for different types of masks. This area also includes a practical test project.

Acting with masks comprises the following:

  • acting with different theatre masks
  • possibilities and limitations of the theatre mask
  • choice of theatre masks
  • acting style, form and directing concept
  • framework conditions for production
  • planning, carrying out and assessing acting with masks

Production of masks

The production of masks focuses on making expressive masks for actors playing a role. The mask can be made from different materials.

Production of masks comprises the following:

  • plaster casts
  • types of masks for different forms of theatre
  • untraditional materials
  • theatre masks in relation to the target group, including for children with multicultural backgrounds
  • Planning, carrying out and assessing the production of theatre masks with children, young people and adults
  • drawing/sculpture

Theory

Today, acting with masks comprises both traditional forms of acting and more advanced forms of expression. Theory deals with theatre masks as a form of artistic expression and as an educational work form in a cultural history context.

Theory comprises the following:

  • the mask in theatre history
  • functions and characteristics
  • theatre masks in different cultures
  • acting practice with masks in a theoretical perspective

Subject didactics

Subject didactics focuses on working with masks in situations adapted for learning purposes. For children, young people and adults, acting with masks does not only represent an extension of theatrical expression, but may also be an important means of practising acting skills.

Subject didactics comprises the following:

  • theatre masks in drama pedagogy contexts
  • different instruction strategies
  • leading and guiding acting with masks
  • planning, carrying out and assessing acting with masks with children, young people and adults
  • mask theory in relation to play, creativity and creative activities
  • analysis of practical work

Recommended preliminary courses

Alle hjelpemidler er tillatt så lenge regler for kildehenvisning følges.

Learning outcomes

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge

The student:

  • has knowledge of the unique aspects of directing, instruction and performance in acting with masks
  • is capable of selecting masks based on the context of use
  • has the knowledge to further develop acting skills with different types of masks in different contexts
  • has knowledge of how to develop a directing concept for acting with masks
  • has knowledge of theoretical and didactic aspects of acting with masks
  • has knowledge of masks in theatre history, ethnic and cultural contexts
  • has knowledge of the use of masks in a theatre production

Skills

The student:

  • has skills in acting, directing and instruction with different types of masks in different contexts
  • is capable of making masks that work on stage
  • is capable of developing a dramaturgical and visual understanding of the mask and space
  • is capable of analysing, documenting and assessing practical artistic work
  • is capable of using different search tools to find sources for assignments and project work
  • is capable of assessing and referring to specialist literature that can shed light on an issue

General competence

The student:

  • has developed both artistic and educational skills in instructing and guiding children, young people and adults in work involving acting with masks
  • is capable of planning, implementing and assessing mask productions for the target groups children, young people or adults
  • is capable of discussing artistic choices and contributing to the development of good practice
  • is capable of communicating important theories, issues and solutions in the field, both orally and in writing
  • is familiar with new thinking and innovation processes in the field of mask theatre

Content

The course covers the following four main areas:

  • acting with masks
  • production of masks
  • theory
  • subject didactics

Acting with masks

Acting with masks covers acting with both full and half-face masks. Acting with masks requires an increased focus on intentions and action. Theatre masks require bodily engagement. The focus will be on different acting styles for different types of masks. This area also includes a practical test project.

Acting with masks comprises the following:

  • acting with different theatre masks
  • possibilities and limitations of the theatre mask
  • choice of theatre masks
  • acting style, form and directing concept
  • framework conditions for production
  • planning, carrying out and assessing acting with masks

Production of masks

The production of masks focuses on making expressive masks for actors playing a role. The mask can be made from different materials.

Production of masks comprises the following:

  • plaster casts
  • types of masks for different forms of theatre
  • untraditional materials
  • theatre masks in relation to the target group, including for children with multicultural backgrounds
  • Planning, carrying out and assessing the production of theatre masks with children, young people and adults
  • drawing/sculpture

Theory

Today, acting with masks comprises both traditional forms of acting and more advanced forms of expression. Theory deals with theatre masks as a form of artistic expression and as an educational work form in a cultural history context.

Theory comprises the following:

  • the mask in theatre history
  • functions and characteristics
  • theatre masks in different cultures
  • acting practice with masks in a theoretical perspective

Subject didactics

Subject didactics focuses on working with masks in situations adapted for learning purposes. For children, young people and adults, acting with masks does not only represent an extension of theatrical expression, but may also be an important means of practising acting skills.

Subject didactics comprises the following:

  • theatre masks in drama pedagogy contexts
  • different instruction strategies
  • leading and guiding acting with masks
  • planning, carrying out and assessing acting with masks with children, young people and adults
  • mask theory in relation to play, creativity and creative activities
  • analysis of practical work

Teaching and learning methods

I dette emnet får studentene en innføring i markedsføring. Målet er å gi studentene innsikt i og forståelse for markedsføring som fag og yrke og få generell kunnskap om verktøy og virkemidler som brukes innenfor fagområdet. Videre skal emnet gi studentene innsikt i og forståelse av markedsføringsloven og bestemmelser i forbrukerkjøpsloven.

Undervisningsspråk er norsk.

Course requirements

Ingen forkunnskapskrav

Assessment

The exam in the course is threefold:

1.Continuous assessment- individual

Through practical-theoretical work, the student shall develop skills that demonstrate study progress and activity during the learning process. The students cannot have more than 20% absence in this work. The following two practical assignments constitute the basis for assessment in the course:

  • making a mask, participation and acting, including first performance for children
  • participating and acting with neutral masks, larval masks, half-face masks and participating and acting in a ‘solo mask performance’

The assessment is based on the following criteria:

  • The quality of four masks made during the course (the student chooses the four masks to be assessed)
  • The extent to which the student demonstrates satisfactory assessment skills and insight in acting with masks

The assessment counts for 20% of the final pass grade. The result of the exam cannot be appealed.

2. Written development assignment - individual The assignment must be based on an issue linked to acting with masks and relevant theory. The assignment should be approx. 3000 words (+- 10%).

The development assignment counts for 40% of the final pass grade. The result of the exam can be appealed.

3. Practical performance exam - group Assessment of performance with subsequent oral problematisation, discussion and assessment. Three weeks’ preparation time is given.

The assessment is based on the following criteria:

  • the artistic quality and suitability of the performance in relation to the target group
  • the group’s reflections on and analysis of the performance
  • the ability to assess their own work with respect to both process and product
  • the execution of the masks

The practical performance exam counts for 40% of the final pass grade.

The result of the exam cannot be appealed.

In some cases, the practical/oral group exams can be held as individual exams.

All parts of the exam must be awarded the grade E or better in order for the student to pass the course

Permitted exam materials and equipment

All aids are allowed as long as the rules of source referral are followed.

Grading scale

Grade scale A-F

Examiners

For å kunne framstille seg til eksamen må studenten ha følgende godkjente arbeidskrav:

  • Arbeidskrav: Arbeidskravet består av deltakelse i et bedriftssimuleringsspill innenfor markedsføring, der studentene spiller og konkurrerer mot hverandre i grupper. Hoveddelen av simuleringsspillet vil foregå i klasserommet gjennom 2 forelesninger, men det kreves også noe arbeid (ca. to timer) mellom de to forelesningene for å skrive et obligatorisk refleksjonsnotat. Deltakelse i simuleringen bidrar så mye til oppnåelse av et avgjørende læringsmål: det å kunne anvende teori og verktøy i praksis - at studenter må være fysisk tilstede og delta i simuleringen på 1 av de 2 obligatoriske forelesningene for å få godkjent arbeidskravet. Bedriftssimuleringsspillet er en integrert del av undervisningen, og lisens må kjøpes på linje med annet pensum. Formålet med arbeidskravet er oppnåelse av noen av de viktigste læringsmålene i emnet, deriblant kunnskap om og ferdigheter i bruk av ulike analyseverktøy som brukes til å løse markedsføringsutfordringer, og ferdigheter innen markedsanalyse og planlegging, og valg av virkemidler. For studenter som ikke ønsker å delta i simuleringen eller har godkjent fravær, avtales alternativt arbeidskrav med faglærer.

Arbeidskravet må være gjennomført og godkjent innen fastlagt frist for at studenten skal kunne framstille seg til eksamen. Dersom arbeidskrav ikke blir godkjent, gis det anledning til å kunne levere en forbedret eller alternativ versjon én gang innen angitt frist.

Course contact person

Eksamen i emnet er en hjemmeeksamen på 4 timer.

Overlapping courses

Det benyttes intern og ekstern sensor til sensurering av besvarelsene.

Et uttrekk på minst 25 % av besvarelsene sensureres av to sensorer. Karakterene på disse samsensurerte besvarelsene skal danne grunnlag for å fastsette nivå på resten av besvarelsene.