Mime-Matics teaches student's math lesson

Carter Jewell
Staff writer

The study of mathematics has been revered by many and feared by most since the beginning of its existence in the human mind, but it has rarely been associated with mimes, clowns, and the laughter of children, youth, and adults alike. However, performing mathematicians, Tim and Tanya Chartier entertain audiences of all ages and backgrounds with the incorporation of mathematical concepts into routines of acting and miming.
The Chartiers visited the Wingate University family on Thursday, October 1. Their “Mime-Matics” show was a Fine Arts Lyceum, and they arrived to a packed Recital Hall with standing-room-only availability. The first trick presented in audience-participation-style was the old mime “stuck in a box” routine. The Chartiers taught the enthusiastic audience to place their hands in “c” shapes one at a time, and slowly “flatten each one as it touches the glass.” While their years of experience helped their boxes to look much more realistic, the point of natural human dimension was made. There were probably not any professional mimes in the audience, but everyone grasped the general concept that to be against a wall, hands would have to appear to be an equal distance away from the body.
The second task for the audience was to clap on the down-beat provided by a clown-like Tanya in conductor’s attire. Two sides of the room competed to see who could be more accurately on-beat than the other. Giggles erupted from visiting children as the conductor became sillier and sillier with her conducting patterns. Tim then explained the concept of the Fibonacci pattern that can be found in many aspects of nature from pine cones to pineapples. The teaching technique was to amuse the audience with a performed example, and then refer to a well-explained power-point to educate them on the logistics of the subject.
“Infinity” was explained through the portrayal of a funny man who pulled on a rope from the middle, but the rope continued to go on and on, no matter how much the man pulled. Tim then explained that while there can be different degrees of the term “infinity,” it is never-ending and continues forever. This illustration did not necessarily make the concept much easier for many audience members, but it did provide a visual example which can now be referenced in the future.
Sticky-head was an odd character portrayed by Tim to illustrate the importance of shape. He explained that his Velcro mask with attachable objects was similar to a computer-animated head made of various shapes. A giant slinky-character produced the most laughter from the crowd and managed to hide both Tim and Tonya at one point in its many creases. Tim also used a soccer ball to explain that different shapes and patterns on the ball could greatly affect the aerodynamics, quality, and projected path of a kick.
The Chartiers encourage audience members to take an interest in the creative side of mathematics. To add a subject that could originally be viewed as dry and dull (math), to one of flamboyance and artistic ability (performance) can greatly simplify the concept of learning in today’s constantly-changing generation.