Download Theatre 1-2

Theatre 1-2 presents….
Pantomime!
Non Verbal Communication
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Eye Contact
Facial Expressions
Gestures
Physical contact
“I have designed my style pantomimes as white ink
drawings on black backgrounds, so that man's destiny
appears as a thread lost in an endless labyrinth. I have
tried to shed some gleams of light on the shadow of
man startled by his anguish.” – Marcel Marceau
More Non Verbal Communication
• Tempo/Rhythm:
How quickly/slowly and individual
moves
• Proximity:
The distance between individuals
Brainstorming
• What types of professions utilize nonverbal communication?
Pantomime Defined
• The art of telling a story without speech
• Often called “the art of silence”
• A form of acting without words by using
facial expressions and gestures
• Non-verbal communication
Mime vs. Pantomime
Often used interchangeably
• Mime: art of using bodily movements to
create an illusion of reality; more complex,
based on theme, illusion and plot & often
highly stylized (also can refer to the
person performing the mime); usually
expresses an idea
• Pantomime: simple, chronological story
lines; uses mime techniques to tell a story;
usually expresses a specific action
A Brief History
• Preceded the drama in ancient
times
• Goes hand in hand with dance
• Forerunner to ballet
• Attained highest form in 16th
century
• Developed from famous
Commedia dell’Arte characters
Pro Tips for Pantomime
• Play from the chest
– Positive emotions = high,
expanded, free, broad, animated
gestures
– Negative emotions = tense,
contracted, restricted gestures
• Make sure your movements are
all MOTIVATED!
• Remember the importance of
your facial expressions!
Do’s and Don’ts
• DO:
– Exaggerate facial expressions
– Show the size, weight, temperature,
texture and shape of objects
– Plan a beginning, middle & end
– Show a conflict
– Convey your setting, character &
circumstance
• DON’T:
– Mouth words
– Make noise
– Use props
Some Concepts to Know
• Unity of Body
– All the parts of your body should be in
agreement for the idea/character you are
trying to portray
• Clean the Slate
– A method of changing from one expression to
the next
Let’s try this…
• GESTURE PRACTICE:
– Relief (“Phew!”)
– Impatience (“You’re late!”)
– Calling someone over (“Come
here!”)
– “No, thank you.”
– Excitement (“I can’t wait!”)
– Begging (“Pretty please?!?”)
– Approval (“That’s great!”)
• EASY PANTOMIME:
– Wash your face and get soap in
your eyes. Look for a towel.
Marcel Marceau
A pantomime: Rowan Atkinson