The Encyclopedia of Interactive Performance

Humans are complicated. The attitudes and perspectives that we share with others are not always the truth. We present manufactured versions of ourselves for all manner of reasons: social propriety, fitting in, avoiding controversy, deceiving an enemy. Drop the mask is a tool that takes advantage of this behavior, allowing you to change the apparent perspective of your character when needed. Here are the steps:

1. Take a beat.
2. Emotionally reflect the fact that you’re about to drop your mask.
3. Confess or boast what you really believe.

There are two uses for this tool: To establish a closer connection with the spect, or to reveal an antagonistic relationship.

The closer connection happens when you’ve put forward a point of view that’s contrary to that of the spect and you need to get your characters aligned. By revealing that your true perspective to be the same as theirs, it inclines spects to feel more connected with you.

Rachel and Vicky are browsing through a bin of old vinyl records. Rachel notices one. “Ew, Opera. That’s the worst, right?” Vicky says, “I think opera’s kind of beautiful.” Embarrassed, Rachel looks around to make sure no one is listening, then says more quietly, “I know. Me too. It’s just that nobody else seems to like it except me.” Vicky replies, “Well now there’s two of us.”

When revealing an antagonistic perspective toward the spect’s character, you can appear to be in complete accord, then flip the perspective by dropping the mask, and accompany it with a little insult.

Glen is being shown around the middle school where he’s about to start teaching by Principal Flint. When asked why he became a teacher, Glen says, “Because I think kids are our future.” Principal replies, “So true. If we can make just one life better, it’s worth all the effort.” Glenn agrees whole-heartedly. At the end of the tour, Principal Flint turns Glen. “You know what you said about children being our future?” Flint breaks into a snide smile. “You’ve clearly never met any of our kids. Good luck with the little monsters.”

Whether you need to get your character aligned with the perspective of the spect, or reveal your antagonistic point of view, dropping the mask will help you get the job done.