Dramatic Interpretation
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Dramatic Interpretation (often shortened to "Dramatic Interp," "Drama" or just "DI") is an event in National Forensic League (and NFL-related) high school forensics competitions. DI is sometimes called "Depressive Interpretation" as a joke; however, it accurately describes the sentiment underlying most pieces.
In a typical round of DI, five to seven performers will each perform a "cutting" (excerpt) from a published play, novel, or short story. As the name suggests, the cuttings are invariably from non-comedic (e.g., dramatic) works. Some performers select monologues, others may adopt the roles of several characters, changing their tone of voice, manner of speaking, and bodily position to indicate a change in character.
After all of the competitors have performed, the judge (or judges) in the round will rank them from best to worst, and assign each of them a score. Contestants who score well will "break" out of preliminary rounds and continue to advance through octo/quarter/semi/final rounds if they continue to score well.
In college, DI cuttings must be from a play. Novels and short stories are used in prose.[citation needed]
[edit] Rules
The use of props is forbidden.
There is a time limit of ten minutes (although a thirty second grace period is often allowed).
Within the ten minutes, there must be an introduction which states the title and author of the selection. A "teaser" from the selection may precede the introduction
[edit] See also
- Humorous Interpretation
- National Christian Forensics and Communications Association
- National Forensic League
[edit] External Links
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| 2011 NFL National Finalists | Performed By: |
|---|---|
| 1) The Soul of a Butterfly ~ Muhammad Ali | Jamaque Newberry, Nova High School - FL |
| 2) The Soul of a Butterfly ~ Muhammad Ali | *BAMA BOWL* Austin Groves, Blues Springs High School - MO |
| 3) I Have Before Me a Remarkable Document Given to Me by a Young Lady From Rwanda ~ Sonja Linden | Elizabeth Akudugu, Summit High School - NJ |
| 4) I Am My Own Wife ~ Doug Wright | James Seifert, The Harker School - CA |
| 5) Vivien Leigh: The Last Press Conference ~ Marcy Lafferty | Tessa Crosby, Sioux Falls Lincoln High School - SD |
| 6) Mick Harte Was Here ~ Barbara Park | Erin M. Walsh, Downers Grove High School - IL |
