My thesis explores the relationship between masks and individuals, as well as the tools and masks, both visible and invisible, that we use for the staging of the self. A mask has the ability to hide the self, but at the same time it is able to express and even enhance it. It simultaneously alters and anchors the identity. With the concealment of unique identity and the emphasis or suppression of certain features, masks alter the self dramatically. These masks are tools to manipulate the way we make impressions, and can also be the instruments of simulations. Masks habitually appear in the world of theatre, so my research often draws parallels between everyday life and key theatrical concepts. One such example is the role of drama in everyday life: exploring the types of performances facilitated by different types of masks. I also investigate the way roles and simulacra affect our identity and relationships, and how this plays out in our postmodern society.