Mime Assignment

The Three Stooges Rob a House

1. You will be assigned into groups of three.

2. Your group is responsible for creating a scene (approximately 5

minutes) in which you rob a house. The scene must have a clear
beginning, middle and end. Suggestion: Determining the reason why you
are robbing the house first will help structure the scene and influence
what is taken and why.

3. Although you are not required to imitate the Three Stooges, you have to
incorporate 2-3 slapstick comedy moments into the scene.

4. The group must demonstrate the following mime skills at some point in
the scene: mime walk, mime stairs, ladder climb or rope climb, mime
wall, window, and door. Each person does not have to show each skill.
Obviously, there will be other mime skills used in the scene as you handle
various objects, etc.

5. Each student in the group must also be highlighted at some point in

the scene. i.e. his/her actions become the focal point for a short period of
time.

6. Consider the following as you put together you scene:

REVIEW/PRACTICE all required mime skills. Seek help as needed.

BLOCK the scene so there is a clear focal point at each moment and
so the mime work is easily visible.
Slow down the pace of the work to create clear objects/ideas and
interactions.
Practice slapstick moments with attention to TIMING.
Dont fall into the RUNTHROUGH TRAP! Break your scene into
sections and rehearse each separately until the work is tight. Step
outside the scene and watch each others work.

7. You have 3 rehearsal periods to prepare. By the end of the first rehearsal
period, each group must hand in a written plan for their scene. The plan
will be returned the following period with feedback. You will be evaluated
equally as a group as well as individually. Refer to the rubric on the back
and see me if you have any questions.
 Mime Rubric

Criteria Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 4

50-59% 60-69% 70-83% 84-100%
Knowledge Demonstrates limited Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates
Understanding content understanding of moderate good excellent
willing suspension of understanding of understanding of understanding of
/10 disbelief as a willing willing willing
performer and minimal suspension of suspension of suspension of
understanding of the disbelief as a disbelief as a disbelief as a
timing and technique of performer and performer and performer and
mime work moderate good excellent
understanding of understanding of understanding of
the timing and the timing and the timing and
technique of technique of technique of
mime work mime work mime work
Thinking Demonstrates limited Demonstrates Demonstrates Demonstrates
Planning/creative creativity and risk moderate consistent thorough
thinking skills taking in the work; plan creativity and risk creativity and risk creativity and risk
is weak or poorly taking in the work; taking in the work; taking in the work;
/20 conceived plan is adequate plan is concise plan is well
but lacks and tells a clear written, thorough
vision/detail story/detailed and insightful
Communication Movement, gesture, Movement, Movement, Movement,
Expression of ideas for facial expression and gesture, facial gesture, facial gesture, facial
different audiences/use non-verbal expression and expression and expression and
of conventions communication is non-verbal non-verbal non-verbal
unclear; ineffective or communication is communication is communication is
/25 not used; lacks timing, used but consistent and thorough and
comedic elements, etc. sometimes not effective; timing, used for purpose
effective; timing, comedic elements and impact;
comedic elements are clear and timing, comedic
need used well elements are
improvement flawless
Application Group fails to work Group attempts to Group works will Group works
of knowledge and skills together; wastes time; work together; together well, together and
in new contexts does not rehearse some rehearsal; rehearses continually
effectively; performance performance consistently, pushes each
/20 does not come together works but needs performance is other;
improvement well executed performance is
dynamic and
polished
Failure to meet the above criteria will result in a grade below 50%
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