From left, Megan Kiffiak, Jordan Friesen and Travis Irere present a scene from the play, QB VII, for the Drama 20/30 class analysis. (Submitted photo/David Zulkoskey)

By Glenn Hicks

connections

Behind the mask: Carlton drama students explore human interaction

Mar 1, 2021 | 5:00 PM

If you think theatre performance about face masks can’t work, then think again.

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly taught us all about how to adapt and for Carlton Comprehensive Public High School drama students, that includes the challenges of acting while having more than half their face covered. And their efforts can translate far beyond the stage.

“Using your hands and shoulders,” Grade 12 student Megan Kiffiak explained to paNOW, are key to the sorts of exercises to express themselves she and her classmates have been given by drama teacher David Zulkoskey.

“We also use different levels⁠—one person standing one person sitting⁠—to see a connection or relationship without having them touch each other or see them being emotional with each other,” she said.

Therein lies the challenge with portraying emotions and relationships between characters on stage when there is no full face to see; body language becomes very important. The pandemic also means students can’t touch or be too close to each other. Voice projection and articulation also become key.

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For Kiffiak, these lessons have value for human interaction and communication beyond their small socially distanced drama classes.

“Before, you really relied on a person’s facial movements, but now you’re completely eliminating those. I feel it could be very useful to pass these [body language] skills on to others to learn how to communicate better.”

Using space and body language but wearing masks. From left, Jordan Friesen, Megan Kiffiak and Travis Irere. (Submitted photo/David Zulkoskey)

The universal wearing of face masks means face-to-face interaction in school, as well as in nearly all indoor public settings, has now been reduced to just someone’s eyes. For fellow drama student Jordan Friesen, the shift in emphasis to the body and the voice has become⁠—forgive the pun⁠—an eye-opener.

“I’ve actually found this class has connected to my outside life better than any other class I’ve had so far, and that was a real surprise,” Friesen said.

While the Carlton drama students are learning new skills, it’s disappointing they won’t be able to share them this year with a live audience, according to Zulkoskey. Like last spring, the realities of the pandemic restrictions mean there can be no production by the drama club. But he says the new training has had an impact.

“In the long run, they’re speaking better now as actors than they would have done before COVID,” he said, noting how the students are getting better at voice projection, articulation and to trust people’s mannerisms beyond and through their masks. And then there are those eyes.

“Look to the corners of the eyes, watch the crow’s feet… if you feel that you need to get that facial reaction. But then look at how that is translated into the physical movements that they do.”

In a world turned upside by COVID-19, a little more observation and understanding of our fellow human beings, despite the facial shields, can likely go a long way.

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glenn.hicks@jpbg.ca

Twitter: @princealbertnow