Education to Theatricality and Neutral Mask: Psycho-Pedagogical Approach

Education to Theatricality is pedagogical and artistic research; it is a science that includes different\r\ndisciplines such as pedagogy, sociology, human sciences, psychology and the performing arts\r\nin general. The scientific basis of this discipline allows us to apply it in all possible contexts and\r\nwith any individual, because it keeps the man in the center of its pedagogical process. One of the\r\nfundamental principles of Education to Theatricality is the development of the actor-person; the\r\nmain aim is the development of creativity and imagination through a scientific training led by the\r\nactor on himself. This article introduces and analyses the Neutral Mask as an important element of\r\ntheatrical pedagogy in relationship to its psyco-pedagogical aspect and as an educative instrument\r\nto train a person and to improve the development of creativity. The state of rest, calm, relaxing or\r\nsuppleness silence is the starting point of every expression. The exercises with the neutral mask\r\nhelp students to investigate their inner world. When you wear the mask, you destroy the conception\r\nof time and of normally shared space, and the student has the opportunity to “dig” inside\r\nhimself, facing his own identity. This essay presents the birth of the Neutral Mask in the Vieux Colombier\r\nSchool in Paris and explains its role in Jacques Copeau’s pedagogy; then the article analyses\r\nthe psycho-pedagogical elements that characterize its use in a laboratory of expressive arts;\r\nit gives a definition of laboratory and gives some exercises; in the end it specifies the role of masks\r\nin the dramatic play. Education to Theatricality as pedagogy uses the expressive arts into the\r\ntheatre workshop to lead the subject onto a path of growth and training, activating the original\r\npotential skills of this person. An instrument such as the Neutral Mask, used during a theatrical\r\nworkshop, allows to develop a greater self-awareness. By learning a silent language, a student can\r\ndeepen the perception of his body and of his self-awareness through the use of Neutral Mask during\r\na theatre workshop.