The Physics of "Imaginary" Props
An Exploration of Mime and the Actor
By August G. Roy
Props are those lovely things actors use on the stage. This can be a book, a sword, a plate, a bottle, or a goblet. As actors, props are often very difficult. The show can easily be consumed by too many props, and the production could end by being a show about props. That isn't something we want to happen, is it? Nope! So what do we do? We mime. This leads to many other problems, some of which are harder to face than learning how to use "concrete" props, rather than "imaginary" or "mimed" props.
You probably think of the scary clown-like guy in black and white face paint, gloves, striped shirt paired with black pants doing the "Crap, I can't talk and I am stuck in a box!" or "Look at me! I am pulling on a rope!" and it kinda gave you the willies, yes? Me too. No offense to anyone who is living a successful life as a mime. Yay, for you!!!
We as actors have learned some amazing things from mimes. We have learned how to fix a point in space and remember it, we have learned to leave that spot, come back to it after a few hours, and remember exactly where we left it. We have learned how to turn that spot, that tiny fleck in space, into a plane... into a cube with properties of weight, texture, and malleability... After we master these techniques, we move onto other things... like building ropes, and walls... but also building temperature into our objects. One of the first experiments I did as an actor exploring these techniques was picturing my favorite mug with my favorite hot beverage in my hand, learning how it felt, smelled, and tasted even though the mug and the beverage did not exist.
Those beginning steps help give us as actors the ability to do things like mime props in a large scale production when there are too many complex pieces to try to use real props, as in this show. Sometimes there are too many parts to a show to add any little bits. When we use fabric, as we do, it is tricky to monitor placement of props on the stage and not create a larger safety hazard.
Tonight, actors worked on the physics involved with beverages and how to toast with mimed glasses. The creative staff and actors who have study these techniques gave the other ensemble members a crash course in miming techniques. Luckily, we are a full-service theatre program, and we use real props to train actors to use mimed props. Below is one of our actors learning how to stand up and toast with a full glass.
