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A mime artist is a performer who works with pantomime; a performing art that originates - at it's earlist - from anchient Greece. It's name is taken from a single masked dancer called Pantomimus. In Medieval Europe, early forms of mime were known as mummer plays as the "mimes" were "mummers" back then. Dumbshows evolved off mummer plays. But, the silent whitefaced figures we know today are because of Jean-Gaspard Deburau - who solidified the many attributes that make up present day mimes. Mime artists use pantomime as a theatrical medium, involving the acting out of a silent story through body motions. Silent performing was popular for another reason. The Greek and Roman ampitheatres were often huge and without the sound systems we have today. Hence actors often used masks with built in megaphones along with stilts to increase their height all in the attempt to be seen and heard by those in the farthest reaches of the theatre audience. Therefore an actor performing silently without relying on the spoken word had advantages. The huge theatres were also a reason for actors to exagerate their movements in order to be seen. A tradition carried on today in theatre stage shows and not necessary or appropo in film and television.
Because it's their art and their challenge to tell a story without speaking, using their bodies only.

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9y ago

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Are mimes physically unable to talk or are they allowed to talk when not performing?

Mimes are unable to talk. If they talk they are arrested and have thier mime card revoked by the US department of mime enforcement.


Do mimes talk?

As soon as they're off stage - sure.


How much do mimes get paid?

Hold on... let me mime it for you... OK?


Where do mimes perform?

Mimes typically perform in a variety of public spaces, including streets, parks, and squares, where they can attract passersby. They may also perform in theaters, festivals, and special events. Additionally, mimes can be seen in tourist areas, entertaining audiences with their visual storytelling and physical humor. Their performances often rely on the element of surprise and interaction with the audience.


What is funnier a mime pretending to be trapped in a glass box or a mime actually trapped in a glass box?

No matter hard they try, mimes are just not funny. Of course, I could probably get in trouble from the Anti Defamation Leauge and the National Association For Advancement of Mimes, (N.A.A.M.), but mimes are dangerous people and have done great damage to the world of entertainment with their maudlin nature and all that pathos and bathos. Mimes should grow up and learn a different trade. It's not that I am prejiduced against mimes...well, maybe I am, but it is because of a horrible tragedy that happened when I was a child. This mean mime trapped me inside one of his stupid boxes and I thought I couldn't get out. My parents couldn't find me anywhere because I was hidden in this stupid mimes box. It was horrible. I had to go to therapy. I saw a mime therapist who had me pretend to lie on a couch and he pretended to listen. I am better now.