Theatre for growing - growing Theatre

Abstract

I reflect on the significance of neutrality by examining the work with the neutral mask as a tool to silence facial expression and thus stimulate the physical awareness of an inner neutral center. Awareness of the body and physical receptivity both develop basic benefits for the creative development in the actor's training and also in Gestalt therapeutic practice. The focus on an assumed neutrality, which stands for a central point of reference, allows the exploration of unknown parts of personality and character, which can be used in the development of new acting roles as well as in methods of resolution of personal conflicts. Own experiences with mask performances and masks in therapeutic use get juxtaposed with some theoretic background of mask work and philosophic ideas about neutrality. Assuming that in the no-thingness everything is included.