Smart moves
PAROMITA PAIN
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The nuances of mime are discussed In an interview with Evelien M.A Pullens.
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Evelien M.A Pullens recently presented a workshop "Mime And Movements as Tools In Teaching" in association with the Avvai Lalai Kazhagam at Chennai. A performer, teacher and director of theatre with puppets and objects, she was trained in acting and expression at the theatre school in Netherlands. She teaches movement, puppetry and expression in Holland. She also has her own theatre group called Maatje 90. Teaching young learners is challenging and mime is an interesting way to help and capture their attention.
For her, mime is the art of movement — drama without words focusing on imagination, creativity and on concentration and interaction. In mime the body is used to express oneself. Every movement is a part of that expression. Everyone can do mime. No special props are necessary.
It is important to exercise before miming because the body needs to warm up to prevent muscle pain and make the body more flexible and increase attention on the body. For instance, I start by making people concentrate on their feet. The connection of the feet to the ground is important. It makes us stable and provides steady bases to begin.
Children respond well to mime as a teaching method. When concentration is difficult, this helps because to them it's play and they love the fantasy and movement involved. We don't use only our mind but also the body. It provides a broad range of possibilities to express, helping those poor at verbal exercises. It contributes to the communication possibilities between teachers and students. Mime teaches children to play in different ways, using their creativity. New qualities in classmates can be discovered through this creative channel. The exercises bring groups of children together, irrespective of their differences. Working with art in general increases self-confidence, positive thinking and keeps us from being narrow minded. The best place for mime is an open space, where we can move freely. Older children can use mime in a technical way to enhance precision in their movements. When much is changing in the body, it is very important to work it and build confidence and revel in its movements. Pullens says she tries to be herself and to enjoy it by involving everyone. "People have to feel comfortable and free, and challenged to do better. I encourage them to do the new and the unexpected. I always plan some surprises. We don't discuss negative aspects much and only search for improvement. I try to avoid any competition or contests.
"In Holland a lot of schools teach theatre and expression and encourage fantasy and imaginative thinking through drama, mime and puppetry. We have an academy of mime, where this can be studied."
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