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Core Activities |
THE DRAMA CIRCLE Promoting Bahá'í-inspired Theatre Initiatives |
Skits | ||
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Goal 2: Hit the point A "skit" is basically a quickly crafted scene meant to illuminate some point under discussion. Dramatizing a point is a way of integrating it into the understanding that surpasses the usual manner of verbal or intellectual absorption. The mind can then process that point in a more holistic way. In a skit, the performers don't need to memorize a script or build a set; they just need to work out a basic storyline, maybe include a symbolic prop or costume to open up the imagination, and then to remember, at most, a critical line or two of dialogue at a high point or the end.
For example, in Ruhi Book 4, where we encounter stories from the lives of the Twin Manifestations of God, certain phrases from the accounts jump out at us as particularly meaningful, phrases that we might like to remember when we share the story with others. A skit affords us an opportunity to reflect on the shape of the story and to distinguish general set-up from the details that need to be expressed "just so" to convey the story's full impact. While a skit draws heavily on the creativity of the participants, it helps a lot when clear directions are provided at the outset. The study circle facilitator, junior youth animator or children's class teacher can focus the activity in such a way as to maximize the engagement of the participants. The following are some things to consider in this vein: 1. Group size and makeup The most productive group size is probably two to four. Three is a magic number in drama. A "triad" relationship is just inherently dynamic. If you have more than four people, less assertive individuals tend to slip into the background. At the same time, you need to limit the number of skits. If you have a large group and you start going over 3 or 4 presentations, the exercise begins to lose its appeal. As with many things, it's a balancing act. Separating people into groups in non-awkward ways is a bit of an art, especially when working with junior youth or youth when the kids have favorites and let everyone know it. A simple tactic is to ask them to line up according to some tangential topic (e.g., birth month, middle initial) and then to either indicate dividing lines or have them count off by however many groups you want. |
[Cont'd from previous column] 2. Setting parameters "Okay, come up with a skit" might not be as effective a prompt as the following: "The central image of this quote is a mirror reflecting the sun. So, in your group, come up with a story that represents this relationship. The only rule is that you need to include—at some point in your story—both a light source and a reflective surface. So take about eight minutes..." Notice the difference lies in adding a degree of specificity to the request. Many of us find ourselves surrounded by a mind-numbing layer of inertia that keeps us from engaging creatively with the world around us. Thankfully, this layer often can be pierced by a simple provocation. The key is to introduce the right amount of specificity, and not so much that the participants feel constrained. Pointing to the concrete images in a quote is a starting place.
3. How much time to practice Once the groups are separated and directions given, tell the participants how much time they have. Here is one time in life where it helps to underestimate. Tell them 3 minutes if they might need 5, tell them 5 minutes if they might need 10, and so on. Foster a creative dissonance by inserting some urgency. (This kind of facilitating is like benevolent mischief-making.) And when 5 minutes have passed, ask them if they need more time. The goal is to optimize creative engagement, so stop soon after the energy seems to peak. One crucial thing is that they get off their feet and practice, rather than sitting and talking about it. Go around the room and encourage them to try it out, to rehearse. Then have them perform before everything is worked out exactly. Skits are not works of art. They are collaborative learning exercises, and we're shooting for the spark of truth to emerge from universal participation.
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