Despite its name, the
performers of the
San Francisco Mime Troupe are quite
vocal. One reviewer explains, "The San Francisco Mime Troupe uses the word '
mime' in the
classical sense: not as in '
pantomime' but as in '
mimic,' or 'the
exaggeration of
daily life through
storytelling and
song.'" (http://www.metroactive.com/papers/cruz/07.26.00/mimes-0030.html)
The Troupe was founded in 1967 by Dan Chumley, who was inspired by political theatre of the time to drop out of Harvard and get together a group of performers to bring radical, often socialist political issues to the public through humor. Each summer sees them bringing free performances of their current show to parks from Santa Cruz to San Francisco. They have won numerous awards over their decades of work, including a Tony Award for excellence in regional theatre.