Ms. Kissam - Theatre /Film Teacher  
Eagle Rock High School
  • Welcome
  • Theatre Laboratory
    • Syllabus
  • Theatre Ensemble
    • Syllabus
  • Theatre Design Concepts
    • Syllabus
  • Directing for Theatre Media
    • Syllabus
  • ERHS Theatre Company
    • Syllabus
  • ERHS Productions
  • Comedy Club
  • SAGA - Sexuality and Gender Accepting
  • Mask Making
  • Rasaboxes
  • Renaissance Faire
  • London 2017
  • Theatre - Musical Production

Mask Making

As a Theatre teacher, I have tried many different methods of mask making and this has been the most successful

Step 1:  Get the following supplies:
  • Tin foil
  • Paper towel
  • Duct tape
  • Elmers glue (or any kind of kid-friendly white glue)
  • paint
  • paint brushes
  • one-inch ribbon
  • stapler

Step 2:  Making the mold with tin foil
  • gather 10 one-foot by five foot sheets of tin foil (depending on how large you want the mask)
  • each students needs to mold the foil sheets onto his/her face (note:  really have them mold the foil into their eye sockets and nose.  Otherwise, it appears flat)
  • have them help each other draw circles where the eyes are.  Then have them draw a line where there head and cheeks are (again, this depends on how large you want the mask)
  • Have them cut out the eyes and the outline of the face

Step 3:  Layering the newspaper
  • Rip newspaper into approximately 1-inch strips
  • In a bowl, pour 2 cups water to 1 cup glue and mix
Note:  DO NOT use the flour and water mix.  Since flour is a food, it attracts mold and fruit flies.
  • Dip one strip at a time into he glue mixture, stripping the newspaper of extra water and apply to tin foil mask  (front and back will make it more sturdy)
Note:  I like at least five layers of newspaper strip
  • Allow to dry for one or two days

Step 4:  Layering of paper towel
  • Using a similar method as the newspaper application, rip paper towel into strips.
  • Dip strips into glue mixutre
  • Apply two layers vertically, then horizontally to mask.
  • Allow to dry for one or two days
Note:  If you are in a hurry, students can blow dry the masks.

Step 4:  Paint your mask
  • There is no specific method to this.  It's whatever your and your student's preference is.  
Note:  Acrylic paint works best but Tempura can work as well.

Step 5:  Applying the ties
  • ​Cut ribbon into foot long strips
  • Apply to sides of dried mask using duct tape
  • staple them as well to make them extra secure.
Note:  I prefer ribbon over string as it's stronger and more comfortable on the ears.

​Below is a video that illustrates this lesson with slight alterations (I would turn off the music as it's a bit too much).  Also, I've included photos of masks made recently for our Greek inspired plays.

GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR MASKS!!
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