Neutral Mask with Rob McCloskey

An exploration of the Neutral Mask, popularized by Jacques Lecoq, for actors and performers

In a neutral mask we see a state of openness, ready to receive impulses and perform action. This playful and fun workshop will explore how we can use neutrality to be aware of our bodies, differences, and habits to find deeper presence with ourselves and our body on stage as performers.

Drawing on different approaches we will playfully look at both what we can learn as individuals from neutral, finding power (and perhaps comedy) in simplicity. We will then explore neutral in an ensemble - how can our use of space and rhythm alone be enough to intrigue an audience .

What to expect:

• Games and movement work to find a heightened awareness of the body.
• Exploration with Neutral’s response to surroundings and mirroring.
• Using the neutral mask to notice habits and tension - how can awareness move us towards deeper presence.
• Putting a neutral mask into scenarios and experimenting with how it interacts with clown.
• Exploring how we can use neutral in chorus work and stripping physical theatre back to bodies in space and the energy created between them.

About the teacher

Led by Rob McCloskey, Artistic Director of Brighton-based Split Hairs Theatre. Rob is a theatre maker and director. He trained with John Wright, Tanushka Marah, David Glass, and Philippe Gaulier. He has created and toured devised work across the UK with Split Hairs - described by Fringe Review and Voice Mag as “perfectly achieved physical theatre… immensely evocative.” As a facilitator he creates a playful and inclusive space that celebrates the performer.

Testimonials
“I’ve learned so much from Rob’s workshops, he maintains playfulness whilst going deep into technique and freeing us as performers”
- Vito Kai, acting student at Central School of Speech and Drama

“Rob McCloskey is a natural teacher, and just such a pleasure to learn from.”
- Polly Bishop, performer and theatre maker

"Rob McCloskey is the real deal, with deep commitment to community, creativity and those in his workshops... He’s a wonderful force."

- David Glass, physical theatre director