Intro to Mime with MimeCandy

Intro to Mime invites us to explore how the body can communicate story, emotion, intention, and imagination without words. Through an accessible introduction to mime history, warm-ups, games, object work, classical illusions, and lyrical movement, participants will develop a stronger sense of physical presence and nonverbal expression. The workshop draws inspiration from secular gospel mime—using movement to illuminate a vocalist’s story, message, and artistic intention—while creating a playful, queer-friendly space for curiosity, vulnerability, and connection. Participants will be encouraged to approach learning with optimism, accept the physical nature and expression of others, and discover how embodied storytelling can generate empathy and humility.

Together, we will...

-Describe a brief history and purpose of mime as a form of nonverbal communication and physical storytelling

-Practice foundational mime skills, including neutral stance, focus, gesture, fixed points, and illusion.

-Create clear object work with no physical object through spatial awareness, realism, weight, and resistance.

-Explore the rope and wall as introductory mime illusions.

-Use lyrical movement to highlight or define the intention of an artist or vocalist and embody the story within a song.

-Review the ASL alphabet as part of the broader family of nonverbal communication.

-Build comfort with creative vulnerability, empathy, and collaborative movement practice.

THE INSTRUCTOR

Mime Candy (artist Candace Walker) is a Pittsburgh-based mime performer specializing in queer-friendly secular Gospel mime, street mime, and lyrical movement.