OMIMEO Mime Theatre Mission Statement
Since its founding in 1978, The OMIMEO Mime Theatre established as its mission to maintain and further the Art form of Mime through performance, education and entertainment in a variety of private and public venues. Our goal has been to offer the widest variety of interpretations of this theatrical art form to as many different audiences as possible. This includes but is not limited to Mask work, Vaudeville, Circus Arts, Dance, Physical Theater, Character work and Media (Film & Video).
Description of Charlotte Earth Day
The Family Celebration of Charlotte Earth Day is a theatrically oriented educationally interactive experience designed to engage participants creatively with the challenges facing our natural ecosystems. It features a Performance Stage and a self guided “around the World – Learn the Earth” orientation in the form of an Earth Manual that each child receives upon joining the event. This project allows OMIMEO’s theatrical, family oriented expertise to expand into larger outdoor arena with an environmental narrative. OMIMEO will be the Charlotte Earth Day 50 Event Producer.
Hardin Massie Minor, Producer Charlotte Earth Day
Charlotte’s “Mime-In-Motion” is delighted to celebrate his 41st year as a dynamic participant in the Cultural Arts scene of the Queen City and as Co-Founder/Co-Artistic Director of the OMIMEO MIME THEATRE since 1978. Hardin was recognized in 2017 by the UNCC College of Arts & Architecture as a Distinguished Alumni of the Dept. of Theater & Dance. As a well-known performer-educator-entertainer, he contributes his time and talents to a variety of not-for-profit groups as well continues as a sought after performer for a growing list of corporate and community organizations.
Hardin has created a new one man show to honor all veterans and in tribute to his grandfather, Captain N.H.Massie, USMC AEF 1917-1919.
Information on “Letters from the Trenches: Dear Kit” can be found at hardinminorletters.com
Hardin began his activism in 1969 at Woodberry Forest School by forming the school’s first environmental organization, Citizens Rally Against Pollution and organizing their initial Earth Day activities and awareness. Moving onto UNC- Chapel Hill, Hardin joined ECOS, the singular environmental political organization in the Southeast USA at the time. As an undergraduate, he spearheaded the campaign to save Joyce Kilmer Memorial Forest
Hardin was the first male certified to teach dance in North Carolina in 1979 having earned his BCA from UNCC 1977-79 as an Artist / Educator. He served as an NC Artist-in-Residence in 1979-80 teaching Dance throughout North Carolina. He joined forces with Eddie Williams to co-found and direct the OMIMEO Mime Theater in 1978 (to present) creating over 25 original productions combining Mime, Vaudeville, Mask, Dance, and Circus Arts.
Over the past forty years, Hardin has been Guest Artist with the Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, NCDT (now Charlotte Ballet), Children’s Theater of Charlotte, Carolina Voices, Charlotte Youth Ballet among others and guest performer for a variety of corporate clients.
He received the ASC Artist Fellowship in 2005 and in 2010 was presented with the Center Stage Award, recognition by the Blumenthal Performing Arts for “Excellence in service, education and performance in the Arts.”