Overview

Mime and pantomime, though different, are closely related arts that have been around since primitive man. Mime creates an illusion of reality through body movements. Pantomime uses mime techniques to tell a story. Mime is the more complex of the two arts because it is based on theme, illusion, and plot. Pantomime relies on a three-part structure: an introduction, a conflict, and a resolution.

Clowning is an art that encompasses mime and pantomime with the goal of making the audience laugh. There are three standard clown types: the whiteface clown, who has white makeup all over his face, accented with some red and black; the auguste clown, whom one might see at a circus; and the character clown, such as the hobo clown. Mime, pantomime, and clowning are all demanding arts, but they can offer a great deal of enjoyment to participator and audience.