Decroux

Decroux commonly refers to Etienne Decroux (1898–1991), a French mime artist and theorist who is widely regarded as the father of corporeal mime. He developed a formal system for analyzing and mounting movement, placing the body itself at the center of expression and often separating gesture from spoken language.

Decroux's technique, known as Corporeal Mime (mime corporel), treats the body as a precise instrument of form and intention. He emphasized architectural awareness of posture, balance, breath, and muscular tension, and he studied the subtle articulations of the torso, limbs, and hands. He produced solo works and theoretical writings that charted the grammar of movement, and he advocated a non-linguistic stage language.

During the mid-20th century he established a school in Paris devoted to training in corporeal mime and related physical theatre techniques. His method influenced generations of performers and directors and became a foundational reference in contemporary physical theatre and mime pedagogy.

Decroux's legacy continues through training programs, scholarly study, and performances that draw on his emphasis on the body's expressive potential. His contributions helped shaped how movement is taught and curated in the performing arts, and his ideas remain a touchstone for practitioners exploring non-verbal stage communication.