HYPE! Mime Troupe

Biography

Abstract:

HYPE! is the only collegiate mime troupe in New England. It was founded in 1998 and utilizes the tagline, "Don't Believe the Hype." They perform end-of-semester shows, orientation shows, workshops, and "guerrilla miming" where member engage the community in Davis and Harvard Squares. <p>HYPE! was founded in the fall of 1998 by two Tufts Seniors, Anjali Vashi and Jay Willoughby, as an offshoot of the Cheap Sox improv group. The original troupe also included Ben Connelly and Tracy Erikson.</p> <p>The troupe's size ranges from five to fourteen members. Members write their own skits, set them to music, and stage their own lighting and title cards. Skits can run from 30 seconds to over 15 minutes for a multi-scene presentation. The troupe hold two major show each academic year. At the end of fall semester they co-host CheapHype with the Cheap Sox, and at the end of spring semester they have a performance. They also perform at Parents' Weekend, at various Tufts Community Days and fund-raising events off-campus. Additionally they stage &quot;guerrilla miming&quot; events were members walk through campus, Davis Square, or Harvard Square and engage with the public. They have also performed at the Oberon Club in Harvard Square.</p> <p>Although the troupe is funded through the Tufts Community Union, they have no enforced hierarchy within the organization. All decisions are made by unanimous votes.</p> <p>HYPE! held a special reunion show in the spring 2013 to celebrate the troupe's 15th anniversary. Alumni of HYPE! formed the Broken Box mime troupe in New York City.</p>

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