Lesson Plan 1: Introduction to Mime Technique

Topic: Creating Believability in Mime through Tension, Clicks, and Consistency

Duration: 60 minutes

Age/Level: Upper Primary, Middle or High School Drama / Beginner to Intermediate

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Differentiate between relaxation and tension to create clarity and control in mime.
2. Use the click/toc to indicate contact with an imaginary object.
3. Maintain consistency in placement, size, shape, weight, and texture of mime objects.
4. Apply eye contact and actor’s belief to make the object feel real to both performer and audience.

Materials Needed

• Open space (can be done at home)
• Computer or projector if showing video to a class
• Chairs for circle discussion/reflection
• Whiteboard/markers for notes (optional)

Lesson Outline

1. Warm-Up (10 min)

• Relaxation vs. Tension Drill: Lead students through stretches, then isolate body parts (hands, arms, shoulders) and exaggerate shifting from complete relaxation to controlled tension.
• Discuss how tension creates definition and visibility for mime movements.

2. Technique Introduction (10 min)

• Video Mime Lesson 1 teacher demonstrates:
  • Click/Toc: How a sharp stop shows contact with an object.
  • Consistency: Maintaining the invisible object’s placement, size, and shape.
  • Object Qualities: Weight (light vs. heavy), texture (rough vs. smooth), usage (how the object is handled).
  • Eye Contact & Belief: Looking at the object as if it truly exists.

3. Guided Practice (20 min)

• Exercise A: A Wall
  • Students practise touching a wall, focusing on click/toc at grip points, tension in arms, and consistency in rope placement.
• Exercise B: A table
  • Students mime outlining and interacting with a table or flat surface, maintaining its size and shape.

4. Performance & Feedback (15 min)

• Individually, students practise the skills
• Peer, personal and/or teacher feedback on clarity, consistency, and believability (see chart)

5. Reflection & Cool Down (5 min)

• Circle discussion: “What made the object believable?” “Which technique was hardest to maintain?”
• Gentle stretch to release tension.

Assessment / Success Criteria

• Students show control of tension vs. relaxation.
• Clear click/toc moments when touching objects.
• Consistent size, shape, and weight of mime objects throughout the exercise.
• Strong eye focus and visible belief in the object’s reality.