Mask and the Somatic Actor
Trusting the Body's Creative Genius
About the Workshop
Join us for an extraordinary two-day journey of self-discovery and artistic transformation through the revolutionary mask work developed by Per Brahe. This weekend workshop is designed to help artists break through their creative and self-critical blocks, revitalizing the artistic spirit, and deepening creative autonomy. If you’re experiencing creative stagnation, feeling overwhelmed, spiritually restless, or are simply in need of a profound artistic shake-up, this intensive is for you.
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Day 1: Laying the Foundation
Lecture:
Consent, boundaries and self-advocacy
Balinese Masks: Traditional, Non-Traditional, and Mask Making
Relationship to Ego, Judgement, and Personality
Distinguishing the Conscious and Subconscious Mind
What is “Image”
Movement:
Exploring the body through movement
Element work
Mask Work:
Ensemble exploration
Conclusion:
Reflection of experience
Benefits of work
Closing Ceremony
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Day 2: Deepening the Practice
Starting the Day:
Reflections and Intentions
Movement:
Life Body/Energy Body
Floating Meditation
The 4 Centers Dance
Mask Work:
Individual Mask Explorations: Dive deeper into personal character work, explore a series of exercises to assist the allowance of inspiration and allowance
3-Person Explorations: Break off into smaller groups to intensify the dynamics and interactions between characters.
Conclusion:
Out of the Workshop and Into the Work
Reflections
Closing Ceremony
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NOTE: For the sake of financial sustainability, Broken Mirror is adapting its pay-what-you-decide model. 50% of the student roster (6 out of 12 people) will still be able to pay what they decide, the remaining 50% of the class will pay full price.
PWYD participants can pay through venmo at @BrokenMirrorStudio
About the Teacher
Benjamin Bass is a queer multi-disciplinary artist living in Philadelphia and the founder of Broken Mirror Studio. ​ They hold a B.F.A. in acting from S.U.N.Y. Purchase and have been fortunate enough to work and continue training worldwide. Notable works include "We Own This City," "Audrey's Children," The Obie award-winning hit "The Woodsman", Trey Lyford's "The Accountant," and the Chinese national tour of "One Starry Night." Benjamin is a proud member of both the Actor's Equity Association and the Screen Actor's Guild​
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As an educator, Benjamin is privileged to be the first year acting professor at University of the Arts. They are also the founder and head instructor at Broken Mirror Studio. They have taught master classes for N.Y.U., S.U.N.Y. Purchase, University of the Arts, UPENN, Drexel University, and various other studios throughout NY and Philadelphia.
What People Are Saying
"Ben’s expert use of the many masks they have available for the work, together with their sensitive and insightful approach to the actor, allowed for a revealing and useful connection on somatic and emotional levels."
-Carol Moog PhD. Licensed Psychologist and Musician
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"I really enjoyed Ben's class. (Following the workshop) the next week for me I felt better than I had in a very long time. I was filled with a level of joy and self love that has been elusive. My work was less heady and more in my body even as I sat at a table doing script work."
-Jasai Chase Owens. Actor
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"I just took a mask workshop with Benjamin Bass at Broken Mirror Studio, and I highly recommend it to any actor. Several years ago, I did mask work with master teacher Per Brahe, with whom Ben trained. Ben is a wonderful teacher and a worthy holder of this lineage of transformational work. Give yourself the gift of working with Benjamin and tapping in to your well of creativity, play, and discovery."
-Parlan McGaw
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"The mask workshop is incredible! Ben has created a terrific, safe space to play and expand your artistry."
-Megan McDermott