Make-Up Artist
(2 Characters)
SCENE: In the front of an empty frame representing a mirror. The mirror should be Down Center so the mime faces the audience to look into the mirror. Also, you’ll need a real stool for mime to sit on during make-up application.
CHARACTERS:
GLAMOUR GIRL: a well-dressed, stylish young lady.
TOMBOY: a girl who would rather not pay attention to dress or appearance.
GLAMOUR GIRL enters and begins to look at herself in the mirror, facing the audience. She is pleased with what she sees, but she puts corrective touches to make-up and hair.
TOMBOY enters and walks to the mirror, but not to look at herself; she just wants to wash her hands. She turns on the water, full force. It splashes GLAMOUR GIRL, TOMBOY apologizes and tries to wipe water off of her victim, but only makes her more angry. GLAMOUR GIRL turns on the water and splashes TOMBOY. This action, however, fails to bother TOMBOY. TOMBOY motions to her own face and hands and shows GLAMOUR GIRL she is not bothered, because she is not wearing make-up, GLAMOUR GIRL shows an expression of sadness and apologizes to TOMBOY. She offers to apply make-up to TOMBOY to make amends for the incident. TOMBOY accepts the offer.
GLAMOUR GIRL unzips her purse and begins to remove the tools necessary for the job. TOMBOY watches in wonder; her eyes widen and she turns to leave. GLAMOUR GIRL grabs her arm and sits TOMBOY on the stool facing stage right as GLAMOUR GIRL faces stage left. TOMBOY looks to the side and can face the audience as she looks in the mirror. GLAMOUR GIRL picks up a brush and brushes hair from face of TOMBOY to prepare for make-up application.
She returns the brush to the counter and picks up a small bottle. She shakes the bottle as TOMBOY leans forward on her stool to watch the procedure. GLAMOUR GIRL opens the bottle, puts a small amount of liquid on her index finger. She dots this onto face of TOMBOY and blends over entire face and neck. TOMBOY looks into the mirror and back at GLAMOUR GIRL as she shakes her head.
GLAMOUR GIRL shakes her head and begins to apply eye make-up. TOMBOY manages to wiggle and gets something into her eye. She makes a fist and rubs her eye as she frowns. GLAMOUR GIRL grabs TOMBOY’S hand, cleans up the damage and begins work on the eye again, holding TOMBOY’S chin.
Next is lipstick, GLAMOUR GIRL shows TOMBOY how to hold her lips for the application. TOMBOY looks into the mirror and thinks this is very funny. She makes faces at herself until GLAMOUR GIRL again grabs her chin for the application. TOMBOY manages to get some of the lipstick into her mouth and makes a big fuss over the taste.
The next step is application of power. This causes TOMBOY to cough and choke. She turns to look in the mirror but GLAMOUR GIRL is not ready for the final look. She picks up the brush and arranges TOMBOY’S hair. She is satisfied with her work and steps back and smiles. Then she motions with her hand for TOMBOY to look into the mirror.
TOMBOY looks with disbelief at the next image. She points to herself and shakes her head. GLAMOUR GIRL smiles and also looks into the mirror as she nods her head in approval. GLAMOUR GIRL and TOMBOY look at each other, shake hands, and pick up the make-up tools together. They place the items in the purse. They move to the door and than stop for one last look. GLAMOUR GIRL and TOMBOY look at the audience and than into the mirror, smile, bow their hands and turn to exit from the stage.
(This can be done with two boys who pretend to be girls for a very comic mime.)
Basketball Lesson
(2 Characters)
SCENE: Outdoors, with basketball goal attached to back wall of a garage or house. The goal should be Up Center.
CHARACTERS:
STUDENT: someone who loves basketball but cannot play.
TEACHER: someone who loves basketball and can play very well,
(the characters may be two friends of the same age, or may be played as a father –and-son team.)
TEACHER dribbles ball, pivots to face goal and easily loops the goal. He circles around the playing area and performs the same routine, making the goal again. TEACHER continues to practice his obvious skills with an expression o satisfaction.
STUDENT enters, Stage Let. He watches the antics of the TEACHER in amazement. STUDENT walks to the TEACHER and attempts to get his attention. After several unsuccessful attempts, the STUDENT manages to get the attention of the TEACHER. The TEACHR is obviously irritated by the interruption, and resumes his play with he basketball.
STUDENT manages o disengage he basketball from the TEACHER as he dribbles past for another shot. The STUDENT clutches the ball to his chest, as if he is hugging a pillow. He smiles as the TEAHCER motions for him to return the ball. STUDENT refuses, but offers to play a game with the TEACHER. The offer is not accepted. TEACHER continues to attempt to retrieve his basketball, with no success. Finally, SUDENT wins, as the TEACHER agrees to play.
TEACHER motions to STUDENT to begin play. STUDENT attempts to bounce the ball, but is not successful. TEAHCER picks up the ball and demonstrates the technique for the dribble of the ball. He hands the ball to the STUDENT. STUDENT promptly drives the ball into the ground with such force that it bounces and hits him in the face, and causes him to fall backwards. TEACHER helps the stunned STUDENT to his feet and brushes the dirt from his clothes.
TEACHER picks up the ball and demonstrates the dribble technique a second time. STUDENT takes the ball and manages to produce two bounces in a row. He is excited that he jumps up and down, ignoring the ball. The STUDENT becomes entangled with the forgotten ball and trips, falling to the ground.
The TEACHER again helps the STUDENT to his feet and realizes the technique cannot be taught, so he attempts another lesson. TEACHER demonstrates wrist control necessary to achieve a successful goal. He hands the ball to the STUDENT and shows him how to position the ball for a goal. The STUDENT raises the ball over his head and drops the basketball behind his back. The TEACHER retrieves the ball and demonstrates the technique again. The STUDENT takes the ball and attempts to copy the action of the TEACHER. Again, he drops the ball behind his back.
The TEACHER collects the ball from the ground and turns the STUDENT to face him instead of the basketball goal. The TEACHER demonstrates the wrist movement once again. The STUDENT nods his head to show understanding. TEACHER takes his pupil’s right hand and places it on the ball. TEACHER then takes STUDENT’S left hand and places it on the ball and shows STUDENT he is not to let go of the ball. The STUDENT nods agreement, and attempts to duplicate the movement. The STUDENT still faces his TEACHER, and he raises the ball over his head, he lets it go with such force it lands on top of the TEACHER’S head
The TEACHER falls to the ground, stunned from the attack. The STUDENT rushes to the side of his victim. He helps the TEACHER to his feet, brushes his clothes to remove the dirt. The TEACHER brushes aside the STUDENT’S hands and waves away the offers of help as he begins to stumble Offstage. The STUDENT rushes to his side to stop his exit. The TEACHER shakes his head and leaves he stage.
The STUDENT walks to Centerstage, faces the audience and raises his hands, palms up. He shrugs his shoulders and looks around for the ball. The STUDENT picks up the ball and begins to dribble it around the stage with ease. He pivots and turns to face the goal, taking a shot. The result is an easy basket. He continues the same routine that was displayed by the TEACHER at the beginning of the mime. After showing off his talent for the audience with several successful shots, he exits with fancy dribble movement.
Dancing Doll
(2 Characters)
SCENE: Interior of a house. No furniture is needed. A stool may be used for the introduction of the first character, but it is not required. The mime requires enough clear space for dancing.
CHARACTERS:
CLUMSY CLOD: may be male or female; bored soul who loves to dance, but can’t.
DANCING DOLL: a mechanical figure brought to life for a dance lesson
(the characters may be two friends of the same age, or may be played as a father –and-son team.)
CLUMSY CLOD enters and paces around the stage. She shows the audience she is bored. She may pick up a magazine and thumb through the pages. Finds nothing and tosses the book aside. She has the bright idea of listening to music. She turns on the radio and attempts to dance. CLUMSY CLOD quickly shows the audience why her name fits the character. She slumps onto a stool or sits on the floor with her chin in her hands to show that she has given up.
CLUMSY CLOD places her hands to her ear as she hears a knock offstage. She exits and returns with DANCING DOLL in a compact box. (The box is mimed. DOLL is bent at the waist so she can be walked onstage with ease.) After much struggling, CLUMSY CLOD manages to remove the box from DANCING DOLL. CLUMSY CLOD displays delight by clapping hands and jumping up and down. She rushes to turn on the radio, but is puzzled because nothing happens. CLUMSY CLOD walks over to the debris from the box and finds the directions. When all else fails, read the directions.
CLUMSY CLOD realizes she must wind the DANCING DOLL. She locates the key. Using both hands, she lifts the large key and inserts it into the slot in the back of DANCING DOLL. As CLUMSY CLOD turns the key, the DANCING DOLL slowly come to life. The process is complete and the doll is snapping her fingers in time with the music. CLUMSY CLOD discards the key upstage and claps her hands in glee.
DANCING DOLL becomes human, very flexible, and starts to dance. CLUMSY CLOD attempts to copy the movements, but falls to the floor. DANCING DOLL snaps her fingers to signify and idea. She turns and locates the discarded wind-up key. She inserts the key into the back of CLUMSY CLOD. As she slowly turns the key, CLUMSY CLOD finds the rhythm of the music and CLUMSY CLOD begins to snap her fingers. The wind-up is complete. The key is again discarded.
CLUMSY CLOD and DANCING DOLL proceed to dance a perfectly timed dance routine, their movements perfectly matched. The magic of the wind-up key is shown to the audience by a perfect dance. CLUMSY CLOD is very pleased with her performance and shows her happiness with an enormous grin. As the routine nears its end, DANCING DOLL and CLUMSY CLOD both show their movements and gradually come to a complete stop. They bend at the waist and they both become completely limp. DANCING DOLL and CLUMSY CLOD have wound down.
(Music is necessary for this mime. You cannot perform the dance without background music. If you desire a longer mime, insert the key again and continue the dance.)
Runaway Arm
(2 Characters)
SCENE: A park bench. May be suggested by two stools or chairs.
CHARACTERS: Two mimes who enter to sit on the bench.
FIRST MIME enters and takes a seat on the park bench. He looks around to admire his surroundings. Breathes deeply and removes the newspaper he has tucked under his arm. He unfolds the paper and begins reading.
SECOND MIME enters from opposite side of the stage, looks around, sees the bench and takes a seat on the opposite end of the bench. He looks around, breathes deeply and enjoys the beauty of the park. Without warning, he begins to drum the fingers of his right hand in a steady rhythm on his right knee. After a few moments, he notices this and grabs his right hand with his left hand. After some struggle, he manages to calm the hand. He sighs in relief and pats the hand with his left hand. He checks to his right and sees FIRST MIME is still reading his newspaper. While he enjoys the park again, the right hand rises slowly and lands on his head. In horror, the SECOND MIME grabs his hand and places it back in his lap. He looks at the FIRST MIME with a small grin.
FIRST MIME looks at SECOND MIME in disbelief. He turns his attention to the newspaper again. He shifts his weight so his back is turned to the other mime. He turns a page in his paper and glances over his shoulder to check the other mime. Satisfied that all is safe, he begins reading again.
SECOND MIME sighs in relief, but too soon. The right hand begins to jerk violently. He attempts to regain control by placing the hand under his right leg. The entire leg begins to jump. He takes his right hand in his left hand again to control the movement. After calming his arm, he places his right hand in his lap again and pats it with his left hand. He glances in the direction of the FIRST MIME, who returns the glance with a look of horror. SECOND MIME smiles and FIRST MIME returns to his newspaper.
All is quiet again until the hand reaches across the bench and places itself on the knee of the FIRST MIME. SECOND MIME grabs hand and regains control quickly. FIRST MIME rolls his eyes toward the sky in disgust at SECOND MIME.
After only a few seconds, the right hand of the SECOND MIME places itself on the head of the FRIST MIME. As before, SECOND MIME grabs the hand and smiles an apology. FIRST MIME makes a fist and shakes it in the face of SECOND MIME. He displays a direct hit the next time he is attacked.
SECOND MIME pats his right hand with his left and attempts to protect himself from attack. The right hand quickly reaches across the bench to thump the newspaper of the FIRST MIME. SECOND MIME grabs his right hand with his left.
This is the last straw for FIRST MIME. He rolls his newspaper into a weapon. He begins his own attack of the runaway hand and chases SECOND MIME offstage as he delivers blows with his newspaper.