Here’s a thread I never thought I’d be writing: I’ve trained and worked for a long time as a theatrical mask performer. Feeling weirdly disconnected after being out in a mask? Ponder your body language.

Your smile is covered. Your eyes/brows are difficult to interpret without the bottom half of the face. So be aware of your posture.

The spine is the eyebrow of the body. It can tell people all kinds of things about your current reaction. (Trade secret: it’s already doing that whether you’re controling it or not.)

So don’t just talk with your hands. Talk with your elbows. Talk with your shoulders. Talk with your hips. Make faces with your neck.

If you’re like me and are constantly trying to keep social interactions chill (I’m a 6’2” basso & learned young that I can come across as a threat unintentionally), this kind of thing can really help.

I suppose it can also do the opposite if you must, but let’s save that for the stage, eh? Watch some Keaton (Buster, not Diane or Michael. No offense) and see what I mean. Not that you shouldn’t anyway - it’s good stuff. Start thinking of yourself as a deadpan comic.

Hope this is helpful. Or at least gives you something weird with which to occupy yourself while you’re out & about.