I am talking to performers almost everyday and the first question they ask is always the same...can you help me develop some skits? I really need more skits and routines! My knee jerk reaction is to give them the latest and greatest skit I have seen because I know their pain. I know from experience what it is like to have the pressure and expectations of your organization bearing down on you. If you are the performer you become, by default, the creative expert that is expected to churn out performance after performance that is unique, funny and entertaining. That knee jerk reaction is only helpful in the very short run. You know..."teach a man to fish"...and it really applies here. So for all of you that are expected to create everyday (and we are not just talking about mascot performers) here are the top 5 ways to be successful creating...
1) Form a creative team and meet regularly.
This isn't just your good friends. This is a hand selected group of people you know are creative, fun and have some strengths that others in the group don't. Debate within this group should be encouraged so not everyone should see "eye to eye". Set regular times to meet and make that time fun. Included food, drink and kick it off with trivia or other fun contests with prizes for winners. Define your goals before each meeting and look for inspiration from current events, fashion, movies, culture and life. Make sure someone in the group is responsible for capturing the ideas and thoughts on paper.
2) Follow the four basic steps when creating.
Think It, Speak It, Write It and Do It. Your ideas and thoughts are just that unless you follow these four simple steps in order to manifest them in reality. While they are simple steps this process is not but if you remain determined to follow them your ability to successfully create will be increased dramatically.
3) Write it first.
Two reasons to write it all down first. You don't want to forget all of the great ideas that you come up with during your regular creative meetings but more importantly it costs you almost nothing to do so. Create a format for skits, routines, gags and prop ideas. Once it is down on paper you can do all of your rehearsal and editing without spending cash. Only invest in editing, props and wardrobe after you are sure of the script.
4) Rehearse
This by far is the one step that most all performers skip and the one step that will increase your success dramatically. Don't write the idea down and throw it out in front of a live audience. That will set you up for an embarrassing reminder...if only we would have tried it first. After a couple of rehearsals invite a "friendly" audience to watch and give support and critical review.
5) Do it!
Ok now you are ready to perform with the confidence that the other four steps have provided. And guess what?...you may still find that your performance needs some tweaking after a first run. Your audience will give the best feedback you will ever need. You may be surprised by timing of the audience’s response but you will know how well you did for sure. The audience response is our ultimate test and the reason why all of us love being performers.
Ok...there you go...the top 5 ways to become wildly successful creating exciting, unique and of course funny performances. Don't forget to share you success with other performers. I believe it is one of the best ways to grow as a performer. Don't hoard good ideas...share them with other performers and they in turn will share with you.
You will never again have to ask for good ideas because you can now create you own!
