Help! I have to dance in a mask!

Are you looking to be as a mouse in Nutcracker or working for another role that requires dancing with your face covered?  This can be extremely difficult, and dangerous if you're not careful.  I've experienced (shall I say survived?) dancing in a mask before, so here are some tips to make it go smoothly.

1.       Know what kind of mask you will be wearing, and be prepared for it.  Sometimes you might have a half-face mask or full-face mask that is either soft or molded and has eye and mouth holes.  This kind of mask obscures peripheral vision, but you should be able to see straight ahead of you.  You might wear a full face covering or "morph mask" that covers your face completely with thin fabric.  You should be able to see thorough the fabric, but it will make your vision dark and blurry.  Another relatively common mask is a character head.  You may look through openings in the character's eyes or mouth, or there may be a see-through mesh area over your eyes.  Large or heavy masks can also be difficult because they throw off your balance.  Knowing how the mask will affect you will make it much easier to deal with.

2.       Learn your choreography and be able to perform it perfectly by yourself (if you're dancing with a group).  Whether the mask covers just your periphery or blurs your entire visual field, you will probably not be able to clearly see the other people on stage.  You will need to take your cues from the music rather than checking in with other dancers.  If the stage is crowded with other dancers, you must be careful not to encroach on others' dancing space.  You should get a good idea of spacing during rehearsals, and it's imperative to commit it to memory so you don't accidentally take someone out during the performance.

3.       Practice with your mask on as much as possible.  You should learn your choreography maskless, but when you begin doing full runs of the show, you should be practicing with your mask so you get a good feel for it.  Once you begin practicing on stage, do one run-through with no mask so you can orient yourself.  Note where the stage lights are and what colors are in the backdrop so you will know what direction you are facing once your vision is obscured.  After that, definitely keep your mask on for the rest of the stage rehearsals so you can work out any kinks.

4.       The day of the show, make sure you are rested and nourished.  Sometimes wearing your mask and tunneling your vision when you are already nervous can make you feel dizzy or faint.  Be prepared that this could happen, and do your best to prevent it.

5.       Affix your mask to your face appropriately.  No doubt your director or costumer has already given you directions on how to wear your mask.  Does it tie in the back?  Slide over your head?  Use an elastic strap?  Make sure you follow these instructions.  Sometimes masks could use a little extra support.  If you're using a fabric or molded half-or full-face mask with eye and mouth holes, a little eyelash glue around the edges of the mask and at the outer corners of the eye holes can help hold it to your face without moving.  If you are wearing a character head, sometimes it will fit better if you wear your hair a certain way or wear a tight hat (like a beanie) underneath.  Try out a few variations during rehearsal and use the best method for the show.

6.       Be prepared for little malfunctions.  Masks can slip, especially if you're sweaty.  If a mask completely obscures your vision (most common in half-masks sliding down the face or character heads slipping), it is completely acceptable to adjust it for your safety and for the safety of others.  However, you will want to keep your adjustments as in character as possible.  If you are a mouse, can you pretend to be grooming yourself as you push your character head up?  Can your doll character bring her hands to her forehead or cheek as though embarrassed?  Try out some of these scenarios in rehearsal if you can, that way you will be prepared for anything that can happen during the show.