(n.) The act of personating, or counterfeiting the person or character of another.

acting aping buffoonery business characterization dumb show embodiment enacting enactment gag ham hammy acting hoke hokum imitation impersonation incarnation masquerade mimesis mimicking mimicry miming mummery overacting pantomime pantomiming patter performance performing personification playacting playing portrayal posing projection representation slapstick stage business stage directions stage presence stunt taking a role