Made by Amanda Carr
Our middle school decided to do the Lion King Jr. for our spring musical. I used a number of your amazing mask patterns to create the animals for this production. I got so many compliments on how professional they all looked! I gave you all the credit for your amazing patterns. Thank you so much Jonni!
How I made the adult Simba headpiece:
I printed the “Mufasa Mask” pattern from the “Lion Headdress Masks for the Lion King Jr. Play” pattern set out on cardstock to keep it as light and flexible as possible. I used this as the base for my mask. After studying many images of Simba, I built out the features (eyes, eyebrows, and pointed forehead, etc.) using folded cardstock, aluminum foil and masking tape. I removed the chin to make Simba look more ‘youthful’. I used brown packing paper and a mixture of 2/3 white school glue to 1/3 water for the paper mache to cover the whole mask. I applied the glue solution to the ripped squares of brown packing paper using a paint brush.
We were going for a Jr. Broadway look, so I fused some of the softer, animated Simba characteristics, contours and colorings with the regal Broadway style mask. I played with the idea of Simba being the ‘son’ and bringing the light of the ‘sun’ back to the Pridelands by using brighter colored pampas grass as the mane (purchased at the local dollar store during the fall season). I pulled all the sections apart and inserted them into poked holes in the outer edge of the mask. I made an inner ‘crown’ by hot gluing the tops of additional fake floral stems. I then hot glued a long woven/crochet bracelet/belt along the edge of the mask to cover the stem ends and to secure all the detail work together. This accent gave it a very nice defining edge accent.
Here are some images of my Simba. It definitely gave off a sense of transformation and growth when the actor came onto the stage.
