1. Mime and Pantomime

2. Mime
Mime – the silent art of using body movements to create an illusion of reality
Comes from the Greek word mimeses meaning “to imitate an activity”
Teaches the theatre performer to communicate physically as well as vocally

3. Pantomime
The use of mime techniques, acting without words to tell a story
Comes from the Latin word pantomimus meaning “all gestures used in support of a theme”
Example: I love you

4. A mime uses NO sets or props
The only means of communication is through his own body
Therefore an expressive body and face is a mime’s best asset

5. A mime must project (show) whatever he/she is feeling or thinking using only the body
Things a mime does to make an image clearer to the audience:
Magnify actions (makes them larger than life)
Complete one gesture before beginning another (separates actions)
Wind up for each action

6. Sound – mimes may make the sound of an object, but NEVER of people
Touch – mimes do not touch the other actors on stage, everything is an illusion
Gesturing – a mime must never repeat a gesture unless he/she does it in a different way

7. A mime works towards gaining control of each separate part of the body
A good mime can tell a story using just his eyes alone

8. This is Jackie Gleason, a famous mime. What story do his eyes tell?

9. What do these pictures seem to have in common?