I am a 3rd Year student at the University of Worcester studying the Integrated Masters MTheatre Touring Theatre course. When I joined Vamos Theatre's Emerging Artists Mask Foundation Course, I was hoping to enrich my skills as a performer, as well as to get to know the sorts of things a professional touring company does to support and build their artistic community. It was an incredible opportunity to fine-tune my physical skills as a performer, and having returned to University recently I'm already noticing the effect Rachael's mask skills had on my classic acting and physical theatre work - it has improved wildly! When the course began, the initial memory I’d like to express is just how warm, comfortable and happy Rachael made us all feel. It's easy for rehearsals to be an anxiety-stricken environment, but Rachael insisted on the rehearsal room being a happy place where we are encouraged to make mistakes and look after one another.
I’ve already had a brief experience of mask acting in half-masks; but little did I know how disorientating and difficult full-face mask work could be! However, the techniques and skills Rachael taught us – from clocking to ‘takking’ (looking at individual audience members at a time in order to make a connection with them) to prop interaction – bought the best out of every artist in the room. Even if someone was thrown by the self-conscious environment inside a mask, Rachael was patient, understanding and wealthy with experience. I learned the trick was to maintain a vivid internal monologue, so instead of noticing the sound of your own breathing, you’re considering your relationship between the fellow performers, the audience and even the props within the room. I was astounded by how natural, anonymous and blended into character everyone was, even if they insisted that they were winging it the whole time. I would completely forget who was behind any of the masks since Vamos Theatre's masks are some of the most realistic and eccentric ones around.
As well as participating in practical workshops, I took a stage managerial role, organising the masks, cleaning them and helping fellow company members search for the best costumes to match each character. It was incredibly satisfying to see everyone not only in mask, but in costume by the end of the day. I am extremely optimistic about the level of skill Vamos Theatre brought out of these emerging artists who saw this journey through to its curtain call.
When it came to the performance day, everyone did themselves immensely proud! In particular, I was surprised by how raunchy, daring, yet tastefully witty The Best Thing was, and I adored the chemistry and clipped choreography in Nursing Lives. Watching Vamos Theatre's best bits through these emerging artists not only proved that new budding performers can integrate into a professional environment beautifully, but made me extremely excited to see more Vamos Theatre projects in the future and work with them again. It was a pleasure to learn, make mistakes and have fun amongst everyone. Thank you, Vamos Theatre, for having me!
Danielle Palmer