The proper costume for a mime class can be tights and a leotard for the and tights and a T-shirt for the men; actually, anything form-fitting that allows free movement is acceptable, such as shorts or old levis, or, in warm weather. even a bathing suit. For the feet, soft canvas acrobatic slippers, modern dance shoes, very old ballet slippers, or socks can be used. The sole must be thin and very flexible, and preferably all in one piece, so that it is easy to go to the half toes. New ballet slippers have too stiff a sole. Bare feet don’t slide enough, and so are not acceptable, and tennis shoes are too stiff. The mime class should start with a physical warmup; this can be dance exercises, calisthenics, or anything including bending, stretching, twisting, and plie’s (deep knee bends). The purpose is to stretch and tone the musculature before doing the control exercises of the mime technique. The warmup should be five to ten minutes, and the optimum time for the entire mime class is about an hour and a half; or if the class is crowded, perhaps an hour and three quarters. Do not face a mirror while doing the mime exercises; if you do, you will later imitate what you saw, rather than feeling what to do. You may check yourself at a mirror, but then work away from it.
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