Serial Skit vs. Skit Series

Since we now have several “serial skits” posted as free downloads on this website, this might be a good time to discuss just what it is that makes a “serial skit” different from our “skit series.”

A “serial skit” is a skit made up of several short acts which are performed at intervals throughout your retreat or event.  There is a continuous story line with recurring characters.  As the retreat progresses, we follow the same characters in our skit as they learn lessons that emphasize and reinforce the theme of the retreat.   We find that our women enjoy and look forward to a skit progressing during the retreat, and watching the same characters learn and grow.  The impact a retreat skit can have is worth the time and effort!

The “skit series” differs from a serial skit in that each skit in the series is a stand-alone skit.  While the characters may be recurring, there is no continuous story line.  Most of the time, the different skits in a skit series could be used in any order, because there is no character progression (where the characters grow and change), nor is there reference to the other skits in the series. We often use the individual skits from a “skit series” at events that last over the summer months (with another skit from the series performed each time we meet).

With our women, serial skits have become popular.  In fact, they are the basis for two of the Retreat-in-a-Bag series of books.  Two of these books (Steadfast and Immovable and Disciplesheep) contain serial skits having three or more acts.  We also have several serial skits  and skit series available for free download here.

Caricature in Skits

“Caricature” is defined as “ludicrous exaggeration; distortion by exaggeration of parts or characteristics.”  I feel that in order to get your point across to your audience, certain characteristics must be exaggerated visually.  For instance, one of our skits (see website for free downloadable skit “Trees Planted by the Water”) calls for a character to be a fruitful tree.  In order for this to be recognized, we went way overboard.  Her hat was covered in all kinds of (artificial) fruit; we made a garland of fruit to go around her neck.  Because of our exaggeration, there would be no doubt in anyone’s mind (regardless of where they sat in the audience) that she was a fruitful tree.  As another example, when we have a character representing the enemy in any form, we want it to be obvious that character is evil.  At the very least, we dress the character in solid black.

I have said before that I am a minimalist as far as costumes and props are concerned.  However, as you read over the skit you have chosen, you will recognize those props or costume effects that are important to getting the point of the skit across visually.  They can be done simply, but the exaggeration must be able to be seen and recognized by those watching the skit.