Last changed on
Sat November 20, 2021 at 3:50 AM MDT
I was an Interper for four years in high school and now I am a debate coach- who would've seen this coming? not me!
Interp: Ah yes my real bread and butter. I love all the interp events but each one has their own niche. I do have some overall comments that apply to all interp events.
Yelling is not an emotion. Before you yell in your interpretation, examine why you are making that choice.
Fake heaving to cry. Either get there and cry or find a different way to emote.
Ensure that if there are multiple characters, each one is distinct and different.
Please make sure that hair is not covering your eyes or your face, your face helps you create and convoy the emotion in your piece! Don't hide it.
HI: In HI I am looking for people who understand how to flow with the writing of their piece and take advantage of their natural comedic timing. If you are utilizing character "pops" ensure that they are crisp and clean. HI should have an energizing performance and maintain that energy throughout.
DI: I am looking for some original material here, DI really has so many options. I dislike fake crying/heaving, it truly takes me out of your performance if you are not making it emotionally to that spot yourself.
Duet and Duo: Here I am looking for strong partnerships, with partners who can work symbiotically off of each other's energy. Your piece should be cut to demonstrate the strength of each partner equally and not so much relying on one partner to carry the team. Again, transitions need to be crisp and clean, and if there are multiple characters, distinction between each one.
Oratory: Give me a call to action at the end and ensure that your resources are current and relevant. Additionally, topic originality is important. If it is a speech or topic I have heard numerous times, ensure that you have made your unique stamp/spin on the information.
Informative: Ensure that your VA's have a purpose and not just showing me pictures, there is big opportunity to make your speech stand out here so do not waste it. Again, originality of topic is important or at least putting your own unique spin/stamp on the issue at hand.
DEBATE:You can include me on the email chain if you prefer- bdomino1@kleinisd.net- just put KISD first in the subject line to get past spam filters.
Do not spread- the roots of this organization is to use research and critical thinking skills- you do not achieve these goals by reading as fast as you can off of a sheet of paper, in an effort to fool or lose your opponent. Spreading is weak sauce.
You really should weigh the round for me- if you do not tell me why you should be chosen over your opponent, then I am going to assume you do not know why you should win the round either.
Sharing a last name from your research means nothing to me if you are not summarizing and presenting that research. Much like I tell my students in the classroom, do not just name drop and expect me to understand the significance of your evidence if you do not share it with me.
I take good sportsmanship seriously- if you are purposefully mean or condescending, or display any acts of homophobia, transphobia, racism, sexism I will give you low speaks and have no problem discussing my reasoning why with your coach.