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Welcome to the World of Interp
Interpretation isn’t just an event — it’s the art of storytelling, the thrill of transformation, and the chance to make someone laugh, cry, or think differently… all in under ten minutes. Whether you're stepping into the shoes of a grieving parent, a stand-up comic, a legendary poet, or ten characters at once, you are the instrument that brings the literature to life.
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This page is your creative toolbox. Here, you’ll find everything you need to discover powerful pieces, craft compelling performances, and unlock the full force of your voice, your body, and your imagination.
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Your story starts now. Let’s find the words that will move the room.
“Think of a word as a pendulum instead of a fixed entity. A word can sweep by your ear and by its very sound suggest hidden meanings.”
— Rita Mae Brown—
HOW DO I KNOW WHICH EVENT TO CHOOSE?
Interpretation is about performing literature and connecting with an audience through character, emotion, and storytelling. Not sure where to start? Think about what kinds of stories speak to you — and how you like to express yourself.
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Do I love making people laugh and enjoy over-the-top characters?
→ Try Humorous Interpretation
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Do I connect with emotional, powerful stories and want to move the audience?
→ Try Dramatic Interpretation
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Do I want to perform with a partner and bring a scene to life together?
→ Try Duo Interpretation
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Do I enjoy telling stories from books or personal narratives with strong characters?
→ Try Prose Interpretation
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Do I love rhythm, language, and expressing raw emotion through words?
→ Try Poetry Interpretation
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Do I want to explore serious themes using a mix of poetry, prose, and drama?
→ Try Program Oral Interp (POI)
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Do I enjoy telling tales in my own voice and engaging the audience like a natural storyteller?
→ Try Storytelling
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It’s okay to explore more than one event — the right fit might surprise you. The beauty of interp is that you get to perform stories that matter to you, in a way that only you can.
AN OVERVIEW OF THE INTERP EVENTS
Humorous Interp (HI)
Purpose: Make people laugh — and make it look easy.
Example Performance
WHAT IS
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HUMOROUS INTERPRETATION?
A 10-minute memorized performance of a published comedic play, book, or script.
You'll portray multiple characters, shift between them with your voice and body, and keep your audience engaged with strong comedic timing.
No props, no costumes — just your imagination and your energy.
WHAT SKILLS
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WILL I BUILD?
Comedic Timing​
Character Buiding
Physical Expression
Self-Confidence
WHO IS THIS EVENT
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BUILT FOR?
Natural Performers
Class Clowns
Character Actors
Fans of Improv
Vocal Actors
Charismatic People
Dramatic Interp (DI)
Purpose: Move your audience emotionally and bring depth to the stage.
Example Performance
WHAT IS
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DRAMATIC INTERPRETATION?
A 10-minute memorized performance of a serious, published work.
You’ll take on one or more characters and bring a dramatic, emotional story to life.
This event is about vulnerability, honesty, and powerful storytelling.
WHAT SKILLS
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WILL I BUILD?
Emotional Control
Character Layering
Subtle Expression
Authenticity
Empathy
WHO IS THIS EVENT
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BUILT FOR?
Deep Feelers
Strong Storytellers
Empathetic Students
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Enjoy Meaningful, Heavy-Hitting Content
DUO Interp (DUO)
Purpose: Perform a scene together using nothing but chemistry, coordination, and creativity.
Example Performances
WHAT IS
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DUO INTERPRETATION?
Two performers interpret a 10-minute cutting from a published work — dramatic, humorous, or both.
The challenge? You can’t touch or look at each other, so all interaction must be created through blocking, voice, and timing.
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No costumes or props can be used.
WHAT SKILLS
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WILL I BUILD?
Timing
Collaboration
Character Chemistry
Spatial Awareness
WHO IS THIS EVENT
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BUILT FOR?
Partner who work well together
Actors with stage presence
Students who want to bring scenes to life as a team
Program Oral Interpretation (POI)
Purpose: Tell a layered story using a blend of voices and genres.
Example Performance
WHAT IS
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PROGRAM ORAL
INTERPRETATION?
A 10-minute performance combining poetry, prose, and drama, unified by a single theme.
You will perform with a binder in hand, switching between pieces, characters, and emotions — weaving it all into one powerful message.
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The binder can be used as a prop to bring aspects of the performance to life.
WHAT SKILLS
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WILL I BUILD?
Thematic Thinking
Fluid Transitions
Synthesizing Material
Characterization
WHO IS THIS EVENT
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BUILT FOR?
Creative Thinkers
Social Commentators
Artistic
Avid-Readers
Empathetic
Prose Interpretation
Purpose: Bring a story off the page and into the room.
Example Performance
WHAT IS
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PROSE
INTERPRETATION?
An 8-minute performance of a published narrative — fiction or nonfiction.
You’ll use a small black binder, but the performance is far from just reading.
Prose is all about storytelling, pacing, voice, and connecting with the heart of the story.
WHAT SKILLS
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WILL I BUILD?
Narrative Structure
Voice Modulation
Characterization
Portraying Emotion
WHO IS THIS EVENT
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BUILT FOR?
Storytellers
Enjoy Novels
Enjoy Memoirs
Empathetic
Readers
Poetry Interpretation
Purpose: Use rhythm, language, and emotion to express powerful truths.
Example Performance
WHAT IS
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POETRY
INTERPRETATION?
An 8-minute performance of one or more poems, often linked by a theme.
You’ll use a binder and emphasize lyrical delivery, emotional layering, and wordplay.
Poetry allows you to play with tone, pacing, repetition, and voice in creative ways.
WHAT SKILLS
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WILL I BUILD?
Vocal Texture
Emotional Nuance
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Interpretative Movement
WHO IS THIS EVENT
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BUILT FOR?
Spoken Word Lovers
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Emotionally Expressive
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Artistic
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Creative Thinkers
Storytelling
Purpose: Entertain through classic storytelling charm and connection.
Example Performance
WHAT IS
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STORYTELLING?
An 8-minute retelling of a published children's book or folk tale in your own words and voice.
You’ll use your face, gestures, and voice to engage the audience like you are gathered around a class of young children.
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Performed from a chair, where you must remain seated at all times.
WHAT SKILLS
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WILL I BUILD?
Eye Contact
Character Voices
Pacing
Engagement
WHO IS THIS EVENT
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BUILT FOR?
Engaging Personality
Expressive
Storytellers
Entertaining
Charismatic
SEARCH WITH PURPOSE
Not every script is the right fit — but the right piece will speak to you.
Ask yourself:
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What topics are important to me?
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What do I enjoy reading or watching?
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Can I relate to this material personally?
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Will it sound powerful when read aloud?
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Does it offer emotional and character depth?
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Will this resonate with a wide audience?
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Your voice is powerful — choose literature worthy of it.
WHERE TO FIND YOUR SCRIPT
Locating a script is a time-consuming process...DON'T RUSH IT! Most coaches have extensive libraries that you can go to, so definitely ask your coach. However, their libraries are often built from pieces they have either seen, read, or heard about...and their libraries may not contain literature that you like. Therefore, listed below are websites that you can go to find scripts. Don't be afraid to ask your coach to purchase a script if you find one!
Places to Find Plays
Places to Find Books
Places to Find Poetry
Places to Find Stories
INTERPERS TOOLBOX
Need to Learn an Accent
Some characters may require you to perform with a regional or international accent. This tool will help guide your development:
Want a Drill to Build a Skill?
Developing your skills as an interper takes practice. Throughout the years, Coach Hart has collected a variety of drills that can help you build and develop those skills. They are located in the document below: