The Neutral Mask with Peter Sweet | 30 March - 3 April, 2026

Registration Opens November 12

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Schedule:

30 March - 3 April, 2026 (Monday–Friday)

Daily, 10:00–18:00

Location: Berlin

Venue TBD

The Neutral Mask

"There are three masks: the one we think we are, the one we really are, and the one we have in common." — Jacques Lecoq (1921–1999)

Overview:

Over the course of five days, we will dive into the core principles and techniques that form the foundation for all the theatrical styles in this workshop series. Whether you are a complete beginner or an experienced professional, working with the Neutral Mask has the power to bring you into a heightened state of presence—enriching both your work on stage and your experience of the world.

Note: This workshop can be taken on its own, or as a foundation for the Expressive Masks workshop taking place the following week. Expressive masks offer the next step: exploring character, relationship, and story. → Learn more about the Expressive Masks workshop here.

What happens when you put on a mask that is “neutral”—a mask without character? 

On the face of the player, a neutral mask is never truly neutral. Because it has no built-in expression, it works like a magnifying glass, amplifying the natural dramatic expression already present in your body. This allows you to discover your own unique movement patterns, quiet the “noise” of unnecessary gestures, and refine your presence in time and space. The Neutral Mask invites you into silence and simplicity, revealing the essence of each movement and the poetry within every gesture.

We will be working with hand-crafted leather masks, made by three generations of the Sartori family in Padova, Italy.

In this workshop, we will use the Neutral Mask as a pedagogical tool to:

• Recognize and refine our movement habits

• Dissolve physical and creative blocks

• Unlock clarity of action and presence on stage

Workshop Focus

• Creating a world on stage

• Projecting and shaping space

• Making clear, expressive gestures

• Exploring silence and simplicity in movement

• Becoming aware of personal movement habits

• Moving together as a group or “chorus” in the Neutral Mask

  
  

About the teacher: 

Peter Sweet’s embodied approach to theater combines the madness of play with the rigour of technique. He shares the most effective tools that he has discovered and developed over 25 years of performing, teaching and directing. His unique pedagogy is grounded in his long practice of the Alexander Technique, Wu Tao breath work, and a wide range of somatic and martial arts.

Peter studied physical theatre at the Helikos School in Florence under Giovanni Fusetti and Matteo Destro, contemporary dance at SEAD in Salzburg, and circus at École du Cirque Zofy (CH). He certified as a teacher of the Alexander Technique at AZAT in Munich.

His solo and duo shows—including Meet Pete Sweet, Swinging High, BOOM!, and the current touring production Foolish Doom—have been performed in over 20 countries. He served as director of creation and performance in the circus department at Die Etage Berlin and is a thesis advisor and coach for the Master in Choreography at Fontys (NL). He has also taught at Stockholm University of the Arts, ZHdK in Zurich, and the Theaterakademie August Everding in Munich.

Peter is currently based in Berlin, where he directs professional companies, teaches workshops and throws his heart into every project that he dives into. In his free time he reads fantasy, plays the drums, and flies kites on the Tempelhofer Feld.

Workshop Logistics

Open to all levels 

No prior experience is required.

Language: English

The workshop will be taught in English. A basic understanding of English is required to participate. The teacher also speaks German, French, and Indonesian, and can provide translation when needed.

Maximum Number of Participants: 12 participants

Once 12 students are confirmed, the workshop is full. Additional applicants will be placed on a waiting list.

Attendance Full-time attendance is required. The pedagogy is progressive, with each day building on the work of the previous days.

Location - Berlin

Venue details coming soon.

Sliding Scale Tuition: €360 – €780 

We want this workshop to be accessible to people with a range of economic means, so we offer a sliding scale.

Apply Here: Application coming 9 November!

Once your application has been reviewed by Peter, he will contact you to confirm if there is an open spot.

Payment 

Once you register for the workshop, your workshop fees are due within 5 days to confirm your spot. If this presents a challenge, please contact us — payment in installments is available upon request.

Please note that your fee includes a €115 non-refundable deposit (except in the case of workshop cancellation due to force majeure).

Tuition does not include food or lodging. Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel and accommodations in Berlin.

Questions

• Wondering if this workshop is right for you, or have questions about participating? Contact Peter Sweet at info@petersweet.com

• Questions about registration, payment, or logistics? Contact Derya Yümüez at derya@petersweet.com

If you are interested in continuing the journey, consider joining the Expressive Masks workshop the following week. (Details here)

We look forward to seeing you in the studio!