David Knezz Maskmaker

Theatrical

David offers custom-made masks and puppets to clients for theatrical or television productions, classroom use or just for private ownership. He creatively ensures that each client gets exactly the masks that are needed. Masks can be produced in neoprene, paper-mache or ceramic if requested. (Ceramic masks are for decorative use only.) Prices for custom masks generally run from $600-1500 depending on the amount of sculpting involved.

Most masks are available for purchase or rental.

Click here to learn more about the process of ordering a custom mask.

Funny Face
Movie 2020

Watch Funny Face Movie 2020 rush.mov.

VARIETY 2-23-2020

Their attraction is instant, colored by the rosy-fiery sunset tones of Lucas Gath’s serene, deep-shadow cinematography, though they’re not immediately intent on making their troubled city an isle of joy. Saul spends much of his time wearing an ominously grinning “funny face” mask that makes your average dollar-store Joker getup look benevolent by comparison; fashioning himself as a kind of asphalt-level superhero, out for some manner of revenge on Miller’s character and his ilk, he ropes Zama into a meandering justice mission that suits her aimless purposes just fine. If the city’s going to hell, after all, you may as well find love on the way down.

THE PLAYLIST 2-24-2020

The mask – with its horror-movie grin that lands somewhere between The Joker and Momo, by very clear way of the “V for Vendetta” face favored by Anonymous – seems simply to fall out of an empty blue sky. It comes into the possession of Saul (Cosmo Jarvis), a disaffected, slouching loner with a boxer’s nose and a James Dean fixation who lives with his grandparents (Rhea Perlman and Dan Hedaya, whose one scene gives the film a brief crackle of realism). Or at least he used to; their Brooklyn home is being demolished to make way for a parking lot, at the

THE FILM STAGE 2-25-2020

The characterizations are threadbare and simple: Saul and Zama are the downbeat 99% (his creepy mask recalls both Joker and Anonymous); Miller’s character represents soulless commerce.

the ACOLYTE
Short Comedy Film

the ACOLYTE - A Comedy For The End Of The World written by Sammy James Jr.

Hamlette
Whitefish Bay H.S. Production 2020

With Covid-19 restrictions of having to wear cloth masks, Whitefish Bay High School in Wisconsin entered the 2020 state drama competition using my masks (with the cloth masks underneath) in their version of Hamlette, taking home several awards.

Photos by george katsekes jr photography

Wizard of OZ Puppet Head

Grinch Live

Catawaba College

Will
TNT Series

Singapore Samurai

Sybiliam
Spain, 2014, 2015, 2016

https://www.facebook.com/sybiliam/

Spark Master Tape
October 2016

https://www.facebook.com/SparkMasterTape/

Shaloin Death Squad
Denton, TX, February 2016

https://www.facebook.com/ShaolinDeathSquad/?fref=ts

Scottsboro Boys
Raven Theatre, Chicago, IL, September 2015

Masks nominated for 2015 Jeff Award

https://www.facebook.com/DavidKnezzMaskMaker/photos/...

Handsome Clark DJ
Detroit, MI, 2015

Cherry Bomb Mask for Tyler the Creator
April 2015

(Mask appears at 5:20 on video)

Kwaidan at Spooky Action Theatre
Washington DC, May 2014

Bear Woman for Meimage Dance
Taiwan, 2014

https://www.facebook.com/meimagedance01/videos/935993803127929/

Comedy of Errors
Washington & Lee University, VA, 2013

The Perils Of Francious
Melodrama Dinner Theatre, Nashville, TN, 2013

The Brothers Menaechmus
Concordia University, Irvine, CA, 2013

Warbirdz

Shakespeare in the Square
NYC, October 2011
http://www.shakespearesquare.com/

Photos by Oren Soffer

Hide And Seek performs at the Royal Mile
Festival Fringe, Edinburgh, Scotland, August 2011

Six Characters in Search of an Author
Aquila Theatre Co., New York, Spring 2011

http://aquilatheatre.com/touring/six-characters-2/

"You are a true artist, David. You are both intuitive and skillful. You have gone out of your way to make these masks just right and your dependability is priceless in our profession. Your masks are inspirational for both the spectator and the performer. We look forward to many projects ahead. Keep on creating!"

Desiree Meineck, Director Aquila Theatre Co.

Grinch in Concert
Dr. Michael Raies, Portsmouth, OH, December 2010

Peter Pan and Wendy
Theatre of Western Springs, December 2009

Foolish Proposal
Concordia University, Irvine, CA, 2009

David Gaines - 7 (x1) Samurai
David Gaines - 7 (x1) Samurai Washington Post Article, October 2008
http://www.davidgainesperformance.com/

The Women of Troy
Bridgewater College, Bridgewater, VA, October 2008

Megan Wells' Horse & Stag
www.meganwells.com

Iron Fist
No longer available

James and the Giant Peach
Theatre of Western Springs, 2007

The Nutcracker
Midwest Ballet Co., 2006

These masks are made from durable neoprene latex and fitted with the dial-adjustable head fitting from Bullard construction helmets. This ensures very comfortable and secure mask for any size actor to dance with. The rat heads have realistic spherical clear eyes, which also allow the dancer a very large field of view.

“We have used your Nutcracker mask for the second year now and it is perfect! Your creativity is amazing.”
Michelle Bartolomei, director Music and Mirror Ballet Center West.

Comedy of Errors
Theatre of Western Springs, 2005

Megan Wells’ Gods of Love
2005
www.meganwells.com

The BFG
Oklahoma Baptist University, 2006
Children’s Theatre of Western Springs production, 2004

These masks were commissioned by the Theatre of Western Springs for the production of The BFG by Roald Dahl (March 2004). They are oversized yet very lightweight, and they are available to purchase or rent by special order. They can be fitted to the wearer in a variety of styles. In this production the director requested that the masks allow the actors’ faces to be fully seen. So they were mounted to modified bicycle helmets and worn on top of the head.