Devil Mask Studio
A queer-owned rope studio in DTLA running a progressive curriculum from the twice-monthly ‘Why Knot’ intro class through four Studio Series levels up to suspension work.
Devil Mask Studio opened in January 2024 in the Historic Core of Downtown Los Angeles. Three members of the Devil Mask Society rope collective started it, and it describes itself as queer owned and operated. Its stated aim is a safer space that respects and celebrates a wide range of genders, sexual expressions and identities. Its classes page puts the same idea more simply: rope is “for everybody and every body.”
People. The studio’s staff page lists three owners. Nora / ordinals runs the studio as CEO and has taught across North America on rope, embodiment and neurodiversity. Andrew / Ojipan is COO and teaches the tying side of the Studio Series. Melissa / goodmosttimes is CFO. Andrew and Melissa are both founding members of the Devil Mask Society.
How the classes build. Newcomers start with Why Knot, an introduction held twice a month on a Saturday afternoon and a Friday evening. It needs no partner, rope or experience, and covers safety, consent, basic knots and rope handling. After that comes the Studio Series, a curriculum in four tracks. Each track runs twice a month with rotating topics, so students can drop in at any session:
- 102, foundational skills: rope handling, cuffs, frictions and harness components (a single-column tie is the only prerequisite)
- 201, harnesses and patterns, with a focus on why a harness works and how to adapt it to different bodies
- 301, preparation for suspension: harness evaluation, load testing and partial suspension
- 401, suspension and transitions, for pairs who already suspend
The November 2026 topics included body bamboo and side suspension. Flight School is a separate intensive for up to six tying pairs. It bridges ground harnesses and full suspension, covering uplines, attachment points and load management. In November 2026, Why Knot cost $35 and a Studio Series class $50 (or $35 to audit).
Community and other formats. Open Studio runs on Sunday evenings as a drop-in practice space, free for students who took a class that day. Community members run rope jams at the studio throughout the month, and there are monthly rope socials. The studio also teaches a monthly online class over Zoom, offers private lessons and tied sessions, has a membership program, and rents out its space. Partner events take place at the 910 WeHo venue in West Hollywood.