Big 8 Forensics Conference Tournament

2021 — Online, WI/US

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Duo Interpretation

Event Description:

Purpose of the Category

To develop skills in bringing a story to life through ensemble characterization.

Definition of the Category

Duo Interpretation is performance that creates an atmosphere of time and place, emphasizing development of character and appropriate physical movement. Lines are spoken from memory using offstage focus.

Rules

1. From memory, two students present a single source of published, quality literary material that includes any number of characters. Published material is considered any material publically or commercially available in print, online, audio, or video form. Quality material is characterized by insights into human values, motivations, relationships, problems, and understandings and is not characterized by sentimentality, violence for its own sake or unmotivated endings. Original material is not allowed. Adaptations, if any, should be minimal, and may be made for the following purposes only: (1) to establish continuity; (2) for gender changes including things such as pronoun changes; or (3) to avoid potentially offensive language. Lines attributed to one character in the literary script may not be attributed to another character during the performance. The coach is responsible for providing access to a copy of the students’ original source of materials to provide to the Tournament Practices and Procedures Committee, should the validity be questioned.

2. An introduction that provides the title and author and familiarizes the audience with tone and theme is required, and along with any necessary transitions, is to be presented without the use of notes. The introduction must be the original work of the speaker. The presentation may begin with a portion of selected material prior to the presenters’ personal introduction.

3. It is permissible for contestants to play more than one character or to present dramatic material consisting of a series of vignettes. The performance responsibility between both actors must be as balanced as possible.

4. Movements to suggest relationships, feelings, changes, ideas, moods, locales, etc., consistent with the offstage focus of the presentation are acceptable and subject to critique. Onstage focus (direct eye contact) and physical contact (touching) between participants is prohibited, except in the introduction. Any sound effects and forms of vocal music must be an integral part of the literature and incidental to the performance and should not overwhelm the presentation.

5. Costumes and props are not allowed.

6. Maximum time limit: 10 minutes, with an allowable 15-second grace period. There is no minimum time requirement. Any entry exceeding the grace period may not be ranked first in the round. If all entries in a round exceed the grace period, no first rank shall be given in that round.

Criteria for Evaluation

1. The extent to which the introduction familiarized the audience with the tone and theme.

2. The extent to which the material chosen provided insights into human values, motivations, relationships, problems, and understandings. Individual judges may lower the rank due to use of profanity or vulgarity.

3. The extent to which the interpretation established and projected the motivations, emotions, and interrelationships of the characters through the use of vocal quality and emphasis.

4. The extent to which the interpretation established and projected the motivations, emotions, and interrelationships of the characters through physical expression and bodily movement.

5. The extent to which the performance constituted a well-paced, consistent and unified segment of characterization and action.