LFL Virtual Speech Debate

2024 — NSDA Campus, NY/US

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Duo Interpretation

Event Description:

1) The selection, delivered by two students each representing the same member school, must be from a single play, fictional or non-fictional work. A series of poems is permitted. The poetry may be taken from a variety of published sources united by a single poet. It is the affirmative obligation of all NCFL coaches to ensure that all materials presented in interpretation events must be available and readily accessible to all members of the league. At the NCFL tournament, coaches should bring an original script with an ISBN, ISSN, or IFFN, or eBook Number and Library Name. If the script does not have an ISBN, ISSN, or IFFN, or eBook Number and Library Name, the coach or supervising adult must be able to show that the script was purchased or obtained commercially; ie. from a literary agent or publisher or bill of sale or that the manuscript is publicly accessible by a simple internet search or by a URL not requiring passwords or access codes and the retrieval date. Performing the author’s exact words from the published original work is a core value of interpretation in NCFL. Cutting, the removal and rearrangement of the author’s words to shape a 10 minute performance, is permitted. Material being performed at the NCFL tournament must match the student’s original script.

2) The material may be humorous or dramatic, or may combine both tones, depending on the work selected. Important consideration should be given to the quality of the selection.

3) Any part of the literature that a student uses in a Duo Interpretation presentation must follow the rules of Duo Interpretation or the students shall be subject to disqualification.

4) The selection must be memorized. If the speaker refers to prepared notes of any kind or a script during the presentation, the speaker will be disqualified.

5) The introduction should name the work, the author, and set the theme or the mood. Teasers are permitted.

6) Except during introduction and transition, eye contact is aimed only in the audience's direction; focal points are to be employed during dialogue; eye contact with specific audience members during narration is permitted. Pantomime, if used, should be accurate and realistic.

7) The selection should begin from the center stage area.

8) No properties or costumes of any kind may be used. Using “properties” means manipulating articles of clothing or objects to enhance the performance. Speakers using properties and/or wearing costumes will be disqualified.

9) The two interpreters should effectively utilize pitch, volume, phrasing, vocal quality, tone, articulation, enunciation and fluency to create the characterizations desired. The dialogue between characters should reflect a genuine sense of interaction, not a mechanical exchange of lines. While singing is permitted, it should not be excessive or dominate the performance. Judges’ ranks may reflect if singing has dominated the performance.

10) Performers are not allowed to make deliberate physical contact with each other during the performance, except during the introduction. Physical movement is restricted to performers moving around one another, switching position, pivoting from side to side or turning around completely. Positions other than standing should not be excessive in length or dominate the performance. Should the performers make deliberate physical contact with each other during the performance, except during the introduction, or make deliberate physical movements other than those permitted herein, the performers will be disqualified.

11) Physically, the characters should react to each other’s verbal and non-verbal expressions but they must not touch each other.

12) Time limits: Maximum - 10 minutes, including introductory and transitional material other than the author's words. Material thus used should be limited to one minute. If the speakers go over a 30 second grace period, those contestants must not be awarded first place. No minimum time.