I've often found that people aren't quite sure what I mean when I say I'm a mask maker. Chris Hatcher of Field Guide Films gives a terrific peek behind the curtains in this video. The Mask Maker from Chris Hatcher on Vimeo. The masks I'm making here are for the production of The Spider Queen by … Continue reading The Mask Maker
Hi! It's been awhile. But for great reasons! I've been working on lots of projects in the last few months. Here's a little about one of them. The Project Canby High has a team of about 25 dancers who participate in large dance competitions around the region. The dances are performed on a large gymnasium … Continue reading Collaboration: Canby HS Dance Team
Centro Maschere e Strutture Gestuali Earlier this summer, I posted about my study with the Sartori in Abano Terme, a small city of 19,000 near the larger city of Padova. Here are a few photos of the rest of that work! From our initial designs on paper, we sculpted our masks in clay. Then … Continue reading An Italian Summer(y)
Welcome to my first blog from Italia. In short, it's amazing! The study is engrossing, the people wonderful, a wine costs just a couple euro.Because of difficultly in previous years of the workshop, we aren't allowed to take many pictures during the workshop, so instead of lots of mask process photos, you'll enjoy shots of … Continue reading Tutti piani
Strebor Ailuj At some point—after I had already researched various mask traditions and teachers around the world, and after I had already decided how to focus my next period of study, and after I had already begun strategizing and planning my trip—I realized something significant. My first study in culture and mask traditions had brought me … Continue reading Buon Viaggio
Hello all! I've been blog-silent, but studio-busy... It's been a great year of building shows, creating mask pieces for museums, selling masks at Mardi Gras, and making connections with mask lovers, performers and teachers all over. I'm pleased to announce another mask making workshop in Portland. See details below. —Tony Design, sculpt, cast and paint your own mask! … Continue reading Mask Making Workshop in Portland April 29–May 1
Behind the Scenes: The King Stag This show was produced at Lewis and Clark College in Portland, OR, and designed by Professor Michael Olich. I worked as the movement consultant for the actors and as an assistant designer/ builder of various mask and puppet items. Seven months before the show would open, we met to share broad concepts, … Continue reading Hunting for solutions
I had an amazing summer of work, which has lead right into some great projects this fall. I have been so occupied with doing, I haven't had much time to share.. so here are just a few quick highlights! The Creation Story: Lincoln Center Education & Carmen DeLavallade After taking part in a second summer … Continue reading A summer of puppetry & dance
This summer I was hired by a production company in New York City to make five large fish puppets. This is their story. Prototype The puppets needed were to be operated outdoors by a single person over the course of a few days. I needed to find a lightweight solution that could respond to wind and other variations … Continue reading Fish Puppets
Owl Over the Moon Opera-matic, a collaborative arts group in Chicago, contacted me this last spring to make a mask for The Moon on the Lagoon, The community performance featured lullabies and the faces people find in the moon. What a cool idea! Part of designing the mask is figuring how it will align with and/or … Continue reading Birds and Bugs