Our Activities
Beyond the Stage
“Masks are not just beautiful objects to look at; they are exceptional tools for transformation.” Our company organizes a diverse range of activities throughout the year, including international residencies, professional workshops, and community-driven festivals.
1. Actions: Community & Education
We believe in the power of the mask to connect people. Our “actions” involve a variety of hands-on experiences for both amateurs and professionals.
Community Residencies: We lead immersive projects like the Bag Ladies “Yarn Bombing” residency, which promotes social equity and solidarity through shared craft and performance.
Workshops & Training: From parent-and-child mask making to specialized teacher training and professional masterclasses.
Mask Kits: We provide exploration sessions and conferences using dedicated mask kits to facilitate learning and play.
Our Art of the Mask Mask Tool Kit is available on demande
2. Visu’elles: A Festival of Masks
Visu’elles is a signature event for Cie. Theatre Transformations, representing our commitment to the mask as a tool for both art and community connection.
This female-focused festival is held every two years, serving as a vibrant crossroads for international expertise and local creativity.
A Diverse Program for All Ages
The festival is designed to be inclusive, offering a rich variety of activities for adults, children, and families. You can expect:
Performances
Exhibitions & Conferences:
Interactive Workshops:
A Hub for International & Local Talent
Next Edition: June 2027
3. R&D: Research, Development & Road Trips
Innovation is at the heart of our craft. We continuously explore the bridge between traditional heritage and contemporary practice.
International Partnerships: Our ongoing collaboration with the Lišov Museum in Slovakia through Erasmus+ allows us to explore cultural roots such as weaving, knitting, and mask-making.
Road Trips: We travel globally to meet other mask specialists and visit exhibitions, bringing fresh perspectives back to our creative process.
Fab Lab Innovation: We utilise modern technology, such as Fab Labs, for research and development to prepare for future projects
4. Networking & Digital Innovation
Tracey Boot has pioneered the creation of the INM@SKS digital platform, an initiative co-financed by the Erasmus+ programme, Cie. Theatre Transformations and the Lîsov Museum to facilitate collaboration and communication among mask experts globally.
Please note: The platform is currently in its initial development stage. We are working to build this centralised exchange to bridge the gap between virtual networking and future physical encounters for the mask community.
It will offer a variety of professional resources, including:
A Specialist Directory: A tool for members to identify and connect with peers worldwide to foster professional partnerships.
A Global Events Calendar: A dedicated section to stay informed about upcoming workshops, shows, and conferences.
We invite specialists who wish to contribute to these collaborative efforts to contact Tracey Boot.
A few examples of our projects:
The Bag Ladies Project is an interactive community project.
Residency 1 at the CSS des Combes (Combes Community Centre in Chambery) and Residency 2 at the Lisov Museum (Slovakia).
Community Engagement: The project collaborates with artists, artisans, teachers and the local community to create residencies, workshops and masterclasses. This promotes the exchange of knowledge, social equity, solidarity within society and guarantees equal opportunities for all.
Heritage Exploration: This initiative explores our cultural roots by examining ancient artistic and craft techniques, such as mask making, weaving, basketry, knitting, crochet and macramé. These skills are integrated into contemporary activities and events.
Female Leadership: This initiative is led by women, highlighting and supporting women artists and artisans.
Interactive Performance: The project includes an outdoor performance of The Bag Ladies with musical interludes and audience interactions, reinforcing engagement with the environment. The Bag Ladies
INM@SKS is a digital platform designed to foster collaboration and communication among mask experts globally.
Co-financed by the Erasmus+ programme, this initiative aims to facilitate the transition between virtual exchanges to future physical encounters.
Users have access to a variety of professional resources, including a specialist directory, the calendar of upcoming events and tutorials.
The platform encourages active participation by inviting new specialists to log in via email to join its growing community. Ultimately, this resource is a centralized place of exchange for those who wish to share their knowledge and advance the art of masks making and performance.
How will this network facilitate collaboration and resource sharing among mask specialists?
The International Network of Masks Specialists facilitates collaboration and sharing resources through a dedicated digital platform designed to connect mask experts.
The network enables interaction and sharing through the following key features:
•Virtual exchanges and discussions: The platform serves as a virtual meeting space where specialists can exchange ideas and dialogue. This digital interaction aims to facilitate access to concrete physical encounters and real collaboration.
•Knowledge base: The network offers a centralized Resources section that includes articles, tutorials and background information, allowing specialists to share their technical expertise and research.
•Directory of specialists: By maintaining a directory of specialists, the network allows its members to identify and connect with their peers around the world, fostering a sense of belonging to a community and laying the foundation for professional partnerships.
•Visibility of events: An events section allows members to stay informed about what is happening in the field, facilitating opportunities for collaboration at workshops, shows or conferences.
To join this network and contribute to these collaborative efforts, specialists are invited to contact Tracey Boot to be included in the community: +33 0760662859
Art of the Mask, Tool from Our Past
Our journey began in 2022 with Tracey Boot’s discovery of the Lišov Museum on the Erasmus+ platform. Two years of email exchanges and a trip to Slovakia in September 2022 followed, allowing our teams to meet for the first time.
After two years of preparation, we applied for funding in March 2024. The project was approved for funding in June 2024.
Road map
Our Events
Transnational meetings (October 2024) : Two video conferences to get to know and prepare our program.
Residency 1 (November 2-8 2024) : mask heritage/ The residency aims to bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary mask practices.
Residency 2 (10-20 February 2025) : Contemporary Mask/ Masks as a tool today – teacher training, workshops, performances, masks exhibition and conferences.
Exploration of mask kits (April/ May 2025) : Workshops and conferences with mask kits.
Residency 3 (30 August – 6 Septermber 2025) : Mask, Arts and Crafts / Community “yarn bombing” event with “The Bag Ladies”. Meetings, craft workshops, street party, craft fair…
Tools : Creation of: educational materials, Several web pages, tool kits and the ceation of a digital masks platform.
Our partner
LISOV MUSEUM
du 5 au 20 février 2025 à Chambéry (73)
… conferences, meetings, exhibitions, workshops and shows for all ages… adults, children and families.
International experts, with Adriana Dvorska (Lïsov/Slovaqui), Jakub Dvorsky (Lïsov/Slovaqui) and Tracey Boot (East Kilbride Scotland/France)
Local and regional artists, including Stéphane Müh (38), Charlotte Bauduin (73) and David Sillet (01).
Our team is very happy to answer questions about the unique world of masks.
Do you want us to create a special residency or workshop for your organisation?