Re-Entry.mp3
Pantomimus is the name that is given to the actor, or male dancer. It comes from panta, meaning all and mimos meaning imitator or actor.
Pantomime is a technique of theatre the Romans used. It started as a means to get the story to the audience despite the fact that the audience was noisy. They would talk to each other and the louder it got, the louder their voices became. The actors resorted to other means to present the play: dance, facial expressions, emotions, hand gestures, costumes, sets, and music. The ballet we know today is very similar to what the Roman pantomime was.
Women at first were never in pantomimes on the stage, but were at private parties. Over time, they started acting in public.
The most popular of the plots were mythological love stories. The words of the pantomimes were sung by a chorus in the background. The emotions of these words were shown by the pantomimus’s gestures and dance. The entire performance was accompanied by musical instruments, most often a flute.
Workshop
We will have the opportunity to learn from one of Caligula and Claudius, two Roman Emperors, favorites: Mnester.
- 9:30 AM Emperor Caligula will introduce Mnester to us.
- 9:45 AM We will watch a part of Mnester’s performance of a pantomime of his choice.
- 10 AM Pick out a mask for your own pantomime.
- 10: 15 AM Quick study on myths and mythological characters that were known in those times and portrayed in the pantomimes.
- 10:30 AM Movement warm up and exercises. All parts of the body were used in the performances, especially arms and hands. Pantomimes articulated action and emotion better, more properly and clearly than it’s possible to do with speaking. Movement and flexibility are crucial.
- 12 PM Break for lunch
- 1 PM More movement exercises. This time we will go into more of the conventional gestures and movements that were common knowledge to the audiences.
- 2 PM Pick out costume to match your mask and physical movements.
- 2:15 PM Meet the Musicians and practice with them on your piece.
- 3:30 PM Perform your pantomime with Mnester for all of us!
