Waxing Moon Masks

04/27/2026

Faction of Fools Theatre Company is at it again! Catch them before it's gone!!!

https://www.instagram.com/p/DXpfSMfAbME/?igsh=eDF5Y2x0b2NmNWM5

12/30/2024

Did you know that WMM founder, Tara Cariaso, was mentioned by HowlRound Theatre Commons for having written one of the top ten most-loved articles of 2024 for the HowlRound online journal?

If you haven't seen it already, checkout her article, "The Harms Of Teaching Commedia dell'Arte to Contemporary Players" at HowlRound Theatre Commons!

"In the HowlRound Journal, we published 144 essays and podcasts from theatremakers around the world. Today, we're taking a moment to lift up the ten most-loved pieces (in order of publication). How many of them have you checked out?

"Resisting “Yes, And” Culture and Learning to Say No" by Sara Bozin

"That Which We Call a Struggle: A Response to Ife Olujobi’s “$5000" by Chris Myers

"Towards a Sustainable Theatre Model" by Scott Walters and Munroe Shearer

"We Can’t Build an Equitable Theatre While Ignoring COVID" by Taylor Leigh Lamb

Teaching Theatre Podcast Hosted by Elyzabeth Gregory Wilder

"An Evening with Marvin Carlson: Sixty Years of Theatre Studies" by The Segal Center

"24 Hours for Palestine: A Moon Will Rise from Darkness" by Golden Thread and The Freedom Theatre

"Escalating Drama Department Cuts and Mergers Impact Us All" by Jacqueline Lawton and Rachel Po***ck

"It’s Past Time to ‘Crip Up’ the Theatre Industry" by Abbie Anderson

"The Harm of Teaching Commedia dell’arte to Contemporary Players" by Tara Cariaso

10/07/2024

Waxing Moon Masks founder, designer and pedagogical director, Cariaso writes about the harms she has encountered teaching Commedia dell'arte with the traditional tools.

Have a look and let us know what you think!

|Tara CariasoTeaching commedia dell’arte to theatre students can be a powerful way for them to gain useful skills. But it can also cause great harm. In this essay, Tara Cariaso explains the potential harms inherent to the form, and the need to reimagine commedia to create stories centered on joy, ...

08/08/2024

We *LOVE* at great review from Washington City Paper!
https://washingtoncitypaper.com/article/745801/commedia-gotica-faction-of-fools-takes-on-jen-silvermans-the-moors/?fbclid=IwY2xjawEiG_pleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHQTDe80zAsK59oGPbG8hlrcSpqZUzemdJh4m3G_VcP5LjGOa9r6Tu78AHQ_aem_dqaRnnQ3R_aGsl4tJwtX5Q

This weekend is your *l a s t c h a n c e* to see this inspiring production. The cast nail their ex*****on of gothic tale of intrigue combined with quick silver witt and comic timing. The designers have created a multi-facetted playground of sights and sounds , thick with atmosphere and surprise, stark beauty and terror.

Last chance this weekend to see THE MOORS at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop!!!

"Tara Cariaso of Waxing Moon Masks, who has been collaborating with the Fools since Chilcote and Zoerb took over, has done some of her strongest work for this show. Huldey’s face is wildly asymmetrical, with a permanently curled lip, her mood seemingly changing depending on which side of the mask faces the audience. Outside of a raised eyebrow, Marjory’s mask is nearly neutral, befitting a servant who is best suited toward observing her employers and anticipating their needs. For the nonhuman characters, Cariaso has created helmetlike masks: The Mastiff is given a face with heavy jowls, deep wrinkles, and floppy ears (which are used at times to cover his eyes) while the Moor-Hen has the bird’s characteristic red and yellow bill."

The commedia dell’arte adaptation of The Moors proves the art form can put a unique spin on contemporary tales.

08/03/2024

Don't miss THE MOORS at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop through Aug 10!!!

07/26/2024

This show is gonna blow your mind. Commedia + Bronte sensibilities + jump scare moments of a good horror.

WMM is especially proud of the exciting design work we did for this extraordinary show, directed by the incredible Francesca Chilcote !!! Come to The Moors by Faction of Fools Theatre Company !!!! Running now at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop in DC!

06/30/2024

Welcome to the ferocious world of THE MOORS! The newest production from our friends and partners at Faction of Fools Theatre Company, directed by the brilliant Francesca Chilcote !

This mask collaboration was deeply satisfying for us as mask makers. Steeped in Gothic and expressionist aesthetics, the actors and Waxing Moon Masks worked through out collaborative process of archetype identification, sketch approval, sculpt feedback and overall finished product feedback and fitting.

I am eager to share the character portraits that were made with the actors in costume worn their character masks because the sneak peeks i have seen are stunning, but for now, I will share our mask photos (taken by Nadya Elson) *without* their actors.

Waxing Moon Masks aims to create designs for actors that come from the actors own instigation… what drives*this actor* in this role? All Masks are made on the face of the actor playing the role, and are extentions of the character’s drives and motivations as experienced and explored by the creativity of that actor.

Want to know more? Visit our website www.waxingmoonmasks.com or drop us a line.

Faction of Fools Theatre Company of DC
presents
THE MOORS, by Jen Silverman
July 18 - August 10, 2024

at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop
545 7TH STREET, SE WASHINGTON DC

06/04/2024

COMING AT YOU, WEST COAST, USA!

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/PWCq41V6uUqnDM9s/?mibextid=oFDknk

01/10/2024

Come join the fun!!!

Extra, extra, read all about A Commedia Romeo and Juliet!!

🚨 Only 11 performances January 19 - February 3 at Capitol Hill Arts Workshop!

https://dctheaterarts.org/2024/01/04/faction-of-fools-to-remount-foolish-favorite-a-commedia-romeo-and-juliet/

Photography by DJ Corey Photography
Masks by Tara Cariaso of Waxing Moon Masks
Costumes by Lynly Saunders
Pictured L to R: Francesca Chilcote, Mary Myers, Deimoni Brewington, Jasmine Proctor, and Max Johnson.

01/05/2024

Ready for more masked 'Fools'?

COMMEDIA ROMEO AND JULIET is ready to kick off your new year, at CHAW in DC by Faction of Fools Theatre Company !!!

Come revel in reimagined masks for Commedia by Waxing Moon Masks, and revisit a classic Shakespeare play as only the Fools can do it.

Get your tickets now!!
https://dctheaterarts.org/2024/01/04/faction-of-fools-to-remount-foolish-favorite-a-commedia-romeo-and-juliet/?fbclid=IwAR2QvPhNPXEXPxz4PulynIRStRq6R17CvQYsX3K14kfUWojkdLGzXRfD3uw

Last performed in 2012, the Commedia dell’Arte take on Shakespeare returns for the company's 15th anniverrsary.