Seven Tips for Skits

Just some tips that we have learned over the years that may be helpful for you:

1. JUST DO IT!  Start small, but try it!  Taking on a skit production in addition to the normal event planning may seem like a daunting endeavor, but your efforts will be much appreciated.  In an event where teaching takes precedence, skits will be a welcome respite for your ladies.
2. Keep an open mind as you assign skit parts.  You may not realize that God has gifted the introvert in your group with hidden acting talents.  More than once, I have asked an extrovert in the group to participate in the skit and she has refused, while another quieter woman has turned out to be the perfect person for the part.
3. Be sure that you as the director have all the contact information for every woman who has a part in your skit.  If you are away from home at a retreat location, be sure you have each person’s room number and cell phone nuber.  Have everyone meet (or check in with you) before the beginning of the session when the skit will be performed.  If someone doesn’t show up, you will have time to find her.
4. You may begin skit preparations before retreat registration has opened.  But do not give out final role assignments to ladies who have not registered (and made their down payment) for the event/retreat.
5. Every actress should have a backup!  Even as you are doing read-throughs and rehearsals, everyone should know who they are the backup for.  I normally have women with smaller parts to be backups for main characters; I can more easily find women at the last minute to play a minor part.
6. Have a person in charge of props and setting up.  The director and actresses may help, but you need someone whose mind will be totally focused on the props and sets.
7. Make sure props which are to be returned after the event are labeled with the name of the owner.  For the most part, anyone contributing a prop to the skit should be responsible for picking it up at the end of the skit.