This workshop includes movement technique, collaborative group exercises, and embodied writing prompts to support students in creating their very own mime pieces. Our immersion in mime helps theatre artists working from all styles and approaches make clear, physical choices for the creation of environment, character, and story. We shape the performance space, as well as endow absent objects with weight, shape, texture, value, and power. We explore comedic timing, character-based comedy, conflict, lazzi, and exaggeration. The workshop will also explore conventions and aesthetic approaches that help the audience interpret and appreciate visual theatre.
The pedagogy draws on Joylyn Secunda’s performance experience especially in mask theatre, mime, and puppetry, as well as intensive studies in Corporeal mime, pantomime, clown, and dance.
This workshop is intended for performers of all disciplines. No mime experience necessary.
Please wear comfortable clothes and bring a water bottle.
REGISTRATION: In order to make this accessible to artists I am offering this workshop on a sliding scale $40-$60. Please send an e-transfer to joylynsecunda@gmail.com to reserve your place. Spaces are limited.
About the Instructor
Joylyn Secunda is a physical theatre artist, actor, dancer, and puppeteer based in Vancouver. They have performed their solo physical comedy, The Moaning Yoni, 50 times in cities across Canada and more recently debuted their solo mime show, The Routine at the rEvolver Festival (Vancouver, May 2024) and Adelaide Fringe (Australia, March 2025). In addition to their solo career, they have performed with theatre companies including the National Arts Centre, The Wonderheads, Presentation House, Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia, and Monster Theatre. Joylyn was mentored by Crystal Pite in the Startle Reflex Residency. When they aren't performing, Joylyn teaches mime, puppetry, and physical theatre workshops to school groups with Théâtre la Seizième and Evergreen Cultural Centre, and to professionals and university students. They are a BFA Acting graduate from UBC and have studied clown with John Turner (Mump & Smoot) and Aitor Basauri (Spymonkey), mime with Dean Evans (Cirque du Soleil), Corporeal mime at Théâtre Omnibus, and devised theatre at Dell’Arte International.