Mime Time Lesson Plan
Mime Time
Instructional Facilitation Guide
60 Minutes
All Ages
The Purpose
This lesson introduces students to mime as a powerful art form. By removing the voice, students must rely on physical expression, fostering deeper non-verbal communication skills, emotional intelligence, and collaborative creativity.
Materials
- Whiteboard & Markers
- Hats, scarves, gloves
- Intro to Mime Handout
- Mime Scene Prompt Cards
1. Introduction to Mime
10 Minutes
• Greet the students and introduce the concept of mime as "the art of silence."
• Explain the history: Mime has ancient roots (Greece/Rome) but blossomed in 19th-century France.
• Distribute the Introduction to Mime Handout and review key techniques.
• Discuss Marcel Marceau and his character 'Bip the Clown.' Explain how he could make an audience cry or laugh without saying a single word.
For Younger Learners: Use simple analogies. "It's like playing charades, but telling a whole story instead of just one word." Focus on cartoons like Tom & Jerry or Wile E. Coyote who often use silent physical comedy.
2. Warm-Up Exercises
10 Minutes
• The Mirror: Pair students up. One is the 'actor,' the other is the 'reflection.' They must move slowly and stay perfectly in sync.
• Face Gym: Stretch faces as wide as possible (lion face), then as small as possible (lemon face). Explore extremes of happiness, sadness, and surprise.
• The Invisible Wall: Guide students through finding the 'surface.' Hands flat, elbows out, knees bent when "pushing." Remind them to keep their hands at the same spot in space!
• Weighty Air: Tell students the air has turned into thick honey. Every movement should feel slow and heavy.
3. Group Mime Activities
25 Minutes
Divide the class into small groups (3-4 students). Distribute the Mime Scene Prompt Cards.
The Rehearsal (5 min)
Groups plan their silent story. Encourage them to decide who is doing what and ensure there is a clear beginning, middle, and end.
The Show (20 min)
Groups perform. Use props like hats or scarves to help define characters (a chef's hat, a detective's scarf).
Observation Tip: After each performance, ask the audience: "What objects did they create?" and "How did we know what they were feeling?" This reinforces the technique of object manipulation and facial expression.
4. Reflection and Discussion
10 Minutes
Gather the class into a circle. Use the Reflecting on Mime Discussion Guide.
• The Challenge: "What was harder than you expected?" (Usually, it's not speaking or keeping hands consistent).
• Teamwork: "How did you agree on a plan without shouting?"
• Real Life: Discuss how we use mime every day: waving hello, shrugging, pointing, or using 'scary' faces when we're upset.
5. Closure
5 Minutes
• Summarize: Mime is about clarity, focus, and imagination.
• Challenge: "On your way home today, try to tell someone something without using your voice. See if they understand!"
• Final Bow: Have the whole class take a theatrical bow together to conclude the session.
Facilitator Notes
The key to successful mime is slow, deliberate movement. If students are moving too fast, the audience's brain can't "see" the invisible objects. Remind them: "Your hands are the eyes of the audience. Show them where the objects are."
Mime Introduction Reading
Introduction to Mime
The Art of Silent Storytelling
Handout 01
"Mime makes the invisible visible and the visible invisible." — Marcel Marceau
1 What is Mime?
Mime is a form of silent art that involves expressing emotions, actions, and stories without spoken words. Instead of speaking, mimes use exaggerated movements, facial expressions, and precise gestures to convey their message. It is often called "the language of the heart" because it bypasses language barriers.
The Golden Rule
Silence is Key
No words, no sounds, no whispers. Let your body do the talking.
2 History of the Art
Mime has ancient roots, dating back to Greek and Roman theatre, where performers used masks and broad movements to tell stories in large open-air arenas.
It became a recognized performance art in France during the 19th century with famous artists like Jean-Gaspard Deburau, who refined the character of the "Pierrot"—the sad clown. In the mid-20th century, Marcel Marceau brought mime to international acclaim, making it a globally respected discipline.
3 Key Techniques
Invisible Wall
Mimes create the illusion of a wall by using flat, open hands and moving their body as if blocked by an unseen barrier. The hands must stay "fixed" in space.
Object Manipulation
Pretending to hold, pull, or push invisible objects. You must treat the object as if it has real size, weight, and shape consistently throughout the scene.
Facial Expressions
Using exaggerated facial movements to express emotions like happiness, sadness, fear, or surprise. Since you can't speak, your eyes and mouth tell the story.
Famous Figures
Marcel Marceau
Known for his character 'Bip the Clown,' Marceau is considered the master of modern mime. He survived WWII and used his art to keep people's spirits alive.
Charlie Chaplin
A legend of the silent film era. Although his films had music, Chaplin relied almost entirely on mime techniques to convey complex humor and heartbreak.
Mime Scene Prompts Worksheet
Mime Scene Prompts
Performance Cards for Group Activities
Cut out these cards and distribute one to each group. Groups have 5 minutes to rehearse their silent performance based on the prompt provided.
The Windstorm
Pretend to be caught in a massive windstorm.
The Invisible Box
Act like you are stuck inside a small box.
Beach Day
Swimming, building sandcastles, and relaxing by the ocean.
The Wild Dog
Pretend to walk a massive dog that is pulling you everywhere!
Circus Star
Act out a clown's routine or a performer at the circus.
Daily Robot
Mimic a robot trying to do normal daily tasks (like making cereal).
Reflecting on Mime Discussion
Reflecting on Mime
Facilitated Group Discussion Guide
1
What did you find challenging about performing as a mime?
Encourage students to think about the difficulty of conveying emotions and actions without words. Discuss specific movements or scenes that felt tricky.
2
How did your group work together to create your performance?
Discuss the importance of teamwork, planning, and non-verbal communication within the group. How did you decide on your ideas without shouting?
3
In what ways can mime techniques be useful in everyday life?
Explore the concept of non-verbal communication in real-life situations, such as using facial expressions and body language to convey messages at home or school.
Core Lesson Takeaway
Communication is more than just talking. Our bodies, faces, and eyes tell a story even when we are silent. Mastery of mime is mastery of expression.
