Clay

Synonyms

Plasticine. 3D Printer.

Introduction

Please form into a circle. You may wish to put on some mime gloves.

Description

One player is selected to form a small mime object from their ball of clay. This should appear like the player is molding modeler’s clay but there is no clay to be seen. The player does not speak about the clay. The player may inform it with a smell or an emotion but does not reveal what it is. Once the clay has been formed the player passes it to their left. The player receiving the mime object acknowledges it by respecting it’s weight, shape and use. They then proceed to mash it back into a ball. They create a wholly new object and pass it to their left. This continues until every player has created a mime object.

This warm up can be used to focus the players on what a mime object can represent in a scene. A mime object can have narrative purpose beyond it’s material form. Mime objects can be bestowed with emotions like love, resentment, or fear. Most groups will naturally start to play with each other’s objects. If this does not happen organically it is good teaching opportunity.

Gimmicks

• None.

Variations

• Ball Pass – ball of differing characteristics is passed around the circle.
• Object Circle – mime objects are not mutable and pass around the circle.

Credits

Kitchener Waterloo Clay and Glass Museum.