My students need mask making materials including paper masks, paint, decorations, glue, and elastic.
My students need masks for character work and physical acting.
$258 goal
Hooray! This project is fully funded
Hooray! This project is fully funded
Celebrating Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month
This project is a part of the Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month celebration because
it supports a Latino teacher or a school where the majority of students are Latino.
“I believe in my mask-- The man I made up is me
I believe in my dance-- And my destiny”
― Sam Shepard
We are a Title I school in which more than 80% of the student population qualifies for the free and reduced lunch program.
Many of my students are in foster care, live with only one parent, or live with relatives other than their biological parents.
Many of my students have had little, if any, experience or exposure to the arts. They do not frequently visit museums or national parks on weekends or vacations. Many of them have never been to the beach. They do not spend their evenings reading and having conversations with their families about worlds of both reality and fantasy. Many of them will be first generation college graduates. Some will be first generation high school graduates. Most have never been to a live stage performance.
All this said, every single one of my student deserves an education full of cultural and personal enrichment. I want to inspire students to be the best they can be in all areas of life. The arts help to do that.
My Project
My students need mask forms, paint, and feathers. The mask templates will allow for uniformity and durability. Paint and feathers will allow students to customize the look of their mask. Elastic will ensure that the masks fit securely.
Middle school students struggle with identity and self-esteem. Mask work in a drama class is a way for students to explore "being someone else" which will open them up for more character work without the masks.
Mask work frees up inhibitions as students feel more comfortable to act using gestures and movement. They learn to embody a character rather than "looking" like a character which they often will do by over-using facial expressions in serious performances.
Mask work is an allusion to the Greeks and prior to making and using masks, students will learn about their history in theater and a little bit about how they are used in many different cultures.
And bottom line: They're fun!! Students who are hands-on learners will enjoy creating a work of art.
My students will love being able to do a "craft".
They will have a different type of creative outlet in addition to the acting work they will do with the masks. Creating them will also give the students a sense of pride and ownership over their work and something to feel good about being put on display.
Students will also appreciate another layer of theater history, thus building their appreciation and hopefully sparking further interest in the many ways a character can be portrayed on stage.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mrs. B. and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
