mime
n. C / Un. a type of performance where an actor tells a story using only body movements and facial expressions. You do not use any words or sounds while performing this.
n. a form of theatrical performance in which a narrative is conveyed through bodily movements and gestures, without the use of speech. Refers both to the art form itself and to a performer of this art.
The street performer used mime to pretend he was trapped in a box.
The drama teacher encouraged the students to use mime to improve their physical awareness on stage.
While modern audiences often associate mime with white-faced street performers, it remains a foundational technique in physical theatre for conveying complex emotional states without dialogue.
Uncountable when referring to the art form; countable when referring to a specific performer or a specific act.