SKITTLES: skits as a creative tool to connect

Imagination is more important than knowledge…….. To ‘see’ is not possible with words alone……..

WHAT IS A SKIT?  Dictionary.com defines a skit as  [ skit ] Origin Origin  skit  / sk ɪ t / Show Spelled [skit] Show IPA  noun  1. a short literary piece of a humorous or satirical character.  2. a short theatrical sketch or act, usually comical.  3. a gibe or taunt.  4. British Dialect. a joke or prank.  Origin: 1565–75; of obscure origin _____________________________________________________

HOW TO CREATE A SKIT  What do you want to demonstrate? E.g. the effects of gambling, how people gamble, types of gambling? This will become your theme?  When you think about the chosen theme, what are the ideas that pop into your head? Write them all down and then chose the one that feels right for you? Or at the least the one you feel most confident about writing about.

HOW TO CREATE A SKIT  Who is the audience you are planning to target? Young, old, specific, E.g. drug and alcohol workers, youth workers  Creating characters – if basing on real life people for this keep it anonymous  What is the key emotion that will help “share” the story? Sadness, fear, hatred, despair, hope, happiness, or loss. Don’t choose too many to demonstrate as this will confuse the audience.

HOW TO CREATE A SKIT  Creating characters – if basing on real life people for this keep it anonymous  What is the key emotion that will help “share” the story? Sadness, fear, hatred, despair, hope, happiness, or loss. Don’t choose too many to demonstrate as this will confuse the audience.

OTHER HELPFUL HINTS  Keep it short – that way you never give anyone time to get bored  Make it punchy – it needs to be effective  Use emotion to connect people. Use humour – only if appropriate  Use your experiences to write the script  If shy – do not talk, just act and use signage

OTHER HELPFUL HINTS  Keep props to a minimum – or it will make it too difficult to travel with and you will be less inclined to use it  It does not have to cost anything  Get feedback  Decide on set script or free play  Use language suitable for the target audience E.g. slang may be ok for young people but not mature group. Beware of cultural considerations.

AN EXAMPLE OF A SKIT

DISCUSSION

GROUP WORK Create your own skit……..

PRESENTATION OF SKITS It’s show (skit) time……………………

THE END The fat lady is singing………..time to rap up!