Tom Johnson
When mentioning full circle, I always like to tell the story of my mime instructor, Tom Johnson. I have attempted to look him up for a few years now, and I actually found him on the web while writing this: http://www.tomathemime.webs.com/
Believe it or not I was an extremely shy skater. My mom contacted Tom when it was decided to try out a mime routine at the Southfield Ice show. Tom taught me how to make my movements big, use huge facial expressions, and in all honestly teach this small guy how to reach the audience in the nose bleed sections of a Champions on Ice venue of 8,000 plus. By hiding behind the mime face, I could feel comfortable in front of an audience. I, like most people, hate to be laughed at. However, Tom taught me that if you make people laugh at you, then it is perfectly ok. If Scott Hamilton inspired me to perform comedy, it was Tom that gave me the tools to be successful in achieving it.
My cool story about Tom is when he told me about how he got into the mime business. He saw a video of Marcel Marceau working out in a studio that sparked his interest, and started to study mime in middle school. While attending Wayne State 10 years later, he was accepted into a two week summer seminar in Ann Arbor, MI hosted by Marcel. Upon working with Tom, Marcel invited him to his international school in Paris. I mean how cool? Not only did he meet the guy who inspired him, but Tom was invited to Marcel’s school by him personally!
Tom then told me one night he was invited over to Marcel's pad (probably this massive mansion!) for dinner. While taking a tour, Marcel opened up a door, and there was a studio. In fact, it was THE studio in the video that Tom saw as a kid that inspired him so long ago. After Tom told him the story, Marcel invited him to work out together for a bit in that room. To meet the famous person who inspired you to take a certain path in your life is an amazing honor. But to be transported back to the exact place that inspired you with that person....awesome. I remembered that story when that little girl leaned over the railing at my first Champions On Ice tour I performed in, pointed at me and said, “look mommy, there’s the funny guy,” just like I did all those years ago watching Scott Hamilton.
Don’t ever underestimate the effect you can have upon little ones. Do your best to leave them with a good impression whenever possible.
Be well,
Dan