Movement: Neutral Mask
10-week Short Course for Adults
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Overview
This 10-week course will explore the foundations of physical performance through the art of the Neutral Mask.
Through exercises, improvisations, and guided explorations, students will move from discovering what is “neutral” in their own bodies to crafting expressive, story-driven journeys.
Beginning with the basics of mask work and states of tension, participants will gradually explore a series of imagined landscapes — from the beach and jungle to the mountain and desert — each serving as a metaphor for physical discovery and emotional range.
The course culminates in the creation of an original epic journey, where participants devise and share their own scenarios, applying everything they’ve learned about stillness, transformation, and presence on stage.
By the end of the course students will have:
- Developed physical neutrality and awareness of habitual patterns
- Gained practical skills in using the Neutral Mask as a performance tool
- Explored ensemble sensitivity and nonverbal communication
- Worked on an original devised piece rooted in physical storytelling
Courses you may be interested in
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Contact us
If you have any questions about this course before you book it, please get in touch with us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk.
The important details
Age:
18+
Cost:
£260
Date:
18 January - 22 March, 2027
Time:
Mondays, 6:30pm - 8:30pm
Venue:
Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, 100 Renfrew Street, Glasgow, G2 3DB
Course Information
This is an indicative outline for each week.
Week 1
Introduction to Mask/ The Neutral Mask
– History into mask theatre and different forms of theatre including mask
– States on tension (Economy), discovering what is neutral in your body
Week 2
Further exploration of the neutral mask
– Multiple exercises in the neutral mask, with feedback and exploration.
– Stone throw
– Wave goodbye
Week 3
The Journey with Neutral mask
– Starting with first leg of the journey – the beach
Week 4
The Journey, part 2
– Continue onto the jungle
Week 5
The Mountain
– Continue onto the mountain
Week 6
Decent to the river
– Continue down the mountain to the river
Week 7
The Savanna/ Desert
– Continue the final leg of the journey
Week 8
The Full Journey
– See the full Journey in groups
– Observe and feedback
Week 9
The Journey as a group
– Observe and feedback
Week 10
Their own Scenario
– Devise their own epic journey, land or sea
– Share and feedback
- Plan and prepare to attend all classes
- Dress comfortably in clothes which are suitable for the activity you are taking part in.
- Bring a notepad and pen/pencil in case you wish to make notes.
- Please bring a bottle of water to stay hydrated during your class.
This course is suitable for actors, movers, theatre-makers, and anyone interested in expanding their physical vocabulary and stage presence, with some acting experience or training.
Students should be open, honest, generous, respectful, hard-working and willing to work as part of a team.
Students should be keen to learn and plan to attend all classes.
This course will run in-person on Tuesday evenings for 10-weeks from 18 January – 22 March 2027, 6:30pm – 8:30pm.
The course fee is £260, and can be paid in full or in instalments before the course end date.
Further Information
We want to ensure as many children, young people and adult learners as possible can access the performing and production arts education that is offered through Short Courses at RCS. Financial support options available for Short Courses include:
Agnes Allan Bursary
Agnes Allan was a teacher, passionate about inclusion, and this bursary scheme exists to offer support to students to participate in the performing or production arts.
The Agnes Allan Bursary provides some support to students who may require financial assistance to take part in a short course in dance, drama, music, production or screen.
Anyone who wishes to take part in our Short Courses and faces a financial barrier can apply for bursary support to help meet the cost of tuition fees.
James McAvoy Drama Scholarships
BAFTA-winning and Golden Globe nominated actor James McAvoy is committed to nurturing the creative potential of young Scots who experience barriers to access and participate in drama at RCS Short Courses.
James is a graduate of the BA Acting programme at RCS and Patron of the Junior Conservatoire of Drama. The Glasgow-born actor has funded the new James McAvoy Drama Scholarships to enable young people to experience the world-class drama training at RCS as he did.
The scholarship aims to support applicants who would otherwise find meeting the cost of tuition fees at RCS a barrier to accessing pre-Higher Education drama training at the Royal Conservatoire.
You can find more information about these funds on our Financial Support page.
We run various promotional offers for our Short Courses and Summer Schools. You can view our current offers on our Promotional Offers page.
You should contact us at shortcourses@rcs.ac.uk to request your discount code before booking a course.
Please note, only one promotional offer can be applied per course and should be used at the time of booking as we are unable to apply a discounts retrospectively.
Please see our Short Course FAQs for more information about all aspects of choosing, booking and attending your course.
Please see our Short Courses – Terms and Conditions for more information about your contract with Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and Cancellation and Refund policies.
Sign up to our mailing list to receive the latest updates of courses, offers and news from Short Courses. You can do this by completing this short online form found here.
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