Amidst loud music and muggy heat, a group of kids held perfectly still. None of them moved at all. A curious child came up to the group and dropped some money in their donations hat. In a flash, all the human statues moved into new forms. Once again, they held perfectly still and an observer would wonder whether the students had moved at all.

These eccentrically dressed people were mimes from the Manhattan High Thespian Troupe. They made their yearly appearance at Purple Power Play last Thursday and Friday. Every year they go to the local festival and mime as a club fundraiser. They stay true to their mime status–all of the students in costume are required to remain silent while there–even if they’re on break.

When asked what the hardest part of miming is, silent senior Lauren Fischer motioned and signaled that holding poses and being in costume in the humid heat were the most difficult things for her. Through several animated facial expressions, she communicated that the craziest things people do is make faces and talk to the mimes. This can sometimes be a problem. To prevent the pestering and pickpocketing of performers, people are present to protect the packs of pantomimes performing at Purple Power Play in the park.

The thespians weren’t the only ones present in the park. Members of Bates and Washington dance studios performed on stage on Thursday and Friday. Both studios extensively prepare their dancers for their performances.

“In the beginning of August we have a work weekend where we work and learn all of our dances. And about two weeks before the performance, we go in and practice three hours a day every weekday,” senior Francie Knackendoffel said. Knackendoffel performed on Thursday with other Bates dancers.

However, the dancing isn’t all work. The dancers love what they do. “I get to express myself through my facial expressions and movements,” junior Emily Katzemier, a Washington dancer, said.

The dancers performed on stage with smaller children as well. “It’s fun to work with smaller kids because they look up to us but it’s sometimes hard because they don’t listen very well,” Knackendoffel said.