The Headband Solution

As I have said, I like hats.  However, when there isn’t an appropriate hat to be found, we have made our own simple head attire.  One of the simplest ways to do this is to buy a simple headband to decorate.  I have to confess, this is not my original idea, but I have some talented ladies who created these “hats” from headbands.  We have a skit where all the characters are trees (“A Tree Planted by the Water”), and the headband with leaves glued to it was effective for each of the “saplings” on stage.  You may have a skit with sheep or wolves, and how much easier to just have a headband than to try to costume those characters in other ways!  Even the bridal veil is an easy way to portray a bride on stage.

I Like Signs

Like hats, signs are another friend of the minimalist, or the one producing a skit with limited funds.  A well-made  and well-placed sign can give your audience a wealth of information. As you can see by some of the signs that we have used above, a sign can tell you location of the action, explain the event, or indicate the passage of time. You may find that one of your ladies has the “gift” of making signs!

Some tips on signs:

• Of course, signs must be large enough for the audience to see, and the font or lettering must be large and legible.
•  Letters can be printed out using whatever fonts you prefer from your computer.  Then simply cut and piece them together.  Using double-sided tape works best to adhere the paper to the board and doesn’t leave the bumpy effects of glue.
• Use something heavier than posterboard if possible, so they don’t bend or fall over easily.  Foamboard is nice, or you can back your posterboard with cardboard. Remember, both sides can be used to reduce expenses.
• Outlining the sign using electrical or duct tape helps to make the sign stand out and gives it a professional appearance.  These tapes can also be used within the sign to give it dimension or a further “pop”.
• Signs must be placed where the majority of your audience can see them.
• We sometimes use an easel to hold a sign that will be on stage for a while.  Other times, a person has walked across the stage with the sign.  If possible, signs can be hung up on props or on the wall.