The Most Important Thing in Producing a Skit

What is the most important thing in producing a skit?  Is it good actors?  Is it elaborate props?  Is it extraordinary sound and lighting system?  None of the above.  The most important thing is making sure that every word can be heard by the audience.

Once you have a script, and women (no matter how inexperienced) who are willing to act, the one key issue is that the skit can be heard by those attending the retreat.  A good script is one where we don’t want the women to miss a single word.  This is a huge issue, especially when you may be performing in a room that is long and narrow, or has high ceilings–all of which can make being heard a challenge.  Additionally, your sound equipment may be limited or non-existent.  Add to that that you are probably working with inexperienced, nervous actresses.

Just from our experience over the years, we want to offer a few tips:

• If you have access to one or more microphones, the ladies must practice with the microphones  and how they will be used and shared between them in the midst of the staging..  It is not natural to most, and it is easy to get caught up in the moment and forget to talk into the microphone.
• If you have to share one microphone, it can still work!  We’ve done it!  But your actresses need to practice handing the microphone to the right person.  Your audience wants to hear, and they will be patient as you make this effort to ensure every word is heard.
• If there are no microphones, ladies need to project their voices.  While it may affect the expression that can be heard in the voices, it is more important that the words be heard;
• A key issue is for each actress to FACE THE AUDIENCE when she is saying her lines!  And that is not natural.  It is natural to face and speak toward the person you are talking to.  But your actresses need to practice projecting toward the audience, especially if no amplification is available.
• Have a person in the back checking sound; if room has especially poor acoustics, ask audience to move forward during the skit.