Twelve years ago, Seven-year-old Serenity mindlessly walked around at her first official Speech and Debate Tournament. Here, I was exposed to interp speeches that exploded my little brain. I watched with awe at the phenomenal acting skills, blocking, and characterization and quickly fell in love and couldn’t wait to begin myself. So, I wrote and performed my first interp speech, which was adorable for a six-year-old. But then something extremely unfortunate happened—I grew up, and twelve-year-old Serenity could no longer hide behind her cuteness. I was abruptly thrown into a new type of competition that required a much higher level of acting, writing, and blocking. After eleven years of writing and competing in interp speeches, I have learned many lessons that have improved my skills over the years. I wanted to share some of the first steps you would need to take as you start writing your own Original Interpretation…
The first step to having a good interp is the topic. However, you need to know your acting style before picking a topic. Some people are naturally gifted in comedic acting, others in more intense and dramatic pieces. It may take some time to understand your strengths and what type of acting you like best.This will only happen through practice and training. By understanding what you can and can’t do, you empower yourselfto select the right topic, making the acting easier and far more natural. You can have the best-written piece in the room, but the speech suffers if the acting falls flat.
Once you feel confident in your acting style, you can start writing your piece. The topic needs to be dynamic. Every judge from all different backgrounds should be able to feel impacted by your speech and take away something different. I strongly recommend picking a topic you are passionate about, a story you have an emotional connection to. The beauty of Original is that it could be any story you come up with! Feel free to take inspiration from the stories of those who have impacted you, family, friends, or mentors. Perhaps you love the Renaissance period, what should stop you from setting the period of your story during the Renaissance? Maybe you’re super passionate about sports. You could then write a story about an athlete who experienced setbacks and trials but overcame them all through determination and the support of his or her loved ones. The possibilities are endless; find something you care about and write a story till it’s your own. It is just you and your imagination. When I was fifteen, I won Nationals with a self-authored Open Interpretation (back when Open and Original were in the same category) inspired by my uncle’s story. That speech meant the world to me due to the personal connection, which made my acting feel far more authentic. Find out the meaning and passion behind your topic, then begin wiring out the scenes and lines.
Now that you have started writing your speech, the tricky part begins: blocking. Blocking is the transition from scene to scene in your writing and acting. I strongly recommend looking up Open and Original National Champions and watching how they block in between scenes—do not directly copy them—but take inspiration. Some like to use noises to cut from scene to scene, while others prefer a more unique approach, like spinning. Do some research and practice different ways and find the one that is easiest for you. Your blocking must be smooth and flow effortlessly. This can be tricky, and getting a second opinion from a speech coach or mentor is always best.
Now that you have a topic and have started writing, you mustknow your characters. Good characterization goes beyond distinct voices. Each character must have their own personality, facial expressions, and body language. Practice in front of a mirror until you see your characters form into unique individuals. It’s easy for judges to lose track of who is who, so your characters must be bluntly but realistically different.Another essential thing to remember is to stay within your ability. If you cannot cry, do not write a scene where your character is actively crying. Write for your strength. You can make a powerful impact without tears but through your character’s facial expressions, words, and even their silence when the moment is right in your scene. Never underestimate the power of subtlety in your acting; it can take you a long way.
I know it can feel overwhelming, but take a deep breath and go through it step by step. You have been given an incredible opportunity to take anything you are passionate about and share it with hundreds of judges and fellow competitors. Slow down and remember what is truly important, not a trophy but the impact you make and the story you tell. Stay teachable. You will need to improve and change your speech throughout the competition season. There is always something to adjust and work on, but know that with every speech edit, you only grow stronger in your ability. Be confident in the gift the Lord has given you and have fun!
God Bless,
Serenity Spada
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Serenity is one of the Lasting Impact! Coaches. NOW is the time to schedule an appointment to get your speech written, prepared, or perfected! It’s not to late to begin a speech, even an Interp, TODAY! Go to the SHOP and schedule your coaching call today!