On Sunday, April 14, the Mercy Mimes put on the Red Balloon show. The event showcased the talents and hardwork of the Mercy Mimes program. The program is part of the larger Mercy Theatre Department at Mercy High School which encourages students to embrace their wide variety of talents and passion for performing.
The show opened with an act called “Once Upon a Mime” and was followed by “Sticky Situation” which earned many laughs as the group got “stuck together” by one piece of gum.
These skits along with various others are a part of their repertoire routines that they often perform at their shows. However, the Red Balloon show included new sketches and props that have never been used before. Director of the Mercy Mimes, Mrs. Lucia Wylie-Eggert describes the choice to add the new additions as a tribute to her uncle.
“The inspiration is from my Uncle Steve,” Wylie-Eggert said. “He always sends me these really funny, clever and creative videos of mimes and silent performers who do prop work.”
This show also included brand new sketches written and directed by the senior mimes.
“In the spring, we do senior sketches,” Wylie-Eggert said. “Seniors write, direct and workshop their routines throughout the spring semester and they are so funny with unique characters and they end up being much wider in scope compared to some of our repertoire routines.”
Senior mime, Julia Holt spoke about her experience creating the “School Dance” sketch for the senior showcase.
“It was really fun to write my own sketch and watch it come to life because of the really talented mimes,” Holt said.