Standing Out in Dramatic Interpretation

Like most forensics categories, Dramatic InterpHello? Earth to DI-ers! This has national-qualifier
tends to have characteristics that are quitewritten all over it. Think about it. You have
unique. It is drama at its best and those whoChristine who is in love with Raoul but has feelings
succeed are able to captivate and audiencefor the Phantom since he taught her how to sing.
through a theatrical performance that comes toThe phantom then creates tension between
life. With so many competitors and only so manyhimself and Raoul because of the competition for
pieces to choose from, how does one setChristine's affection. Lastly, the phantom faces the
themselves apart in such a category?internal struggle everyone seems to face at one
One of my biggest pet peeves in forensics is thatpoint or another...unrequitted love. To take a piece
every person who ever competes in Dramaticlike this and play all of the characters would take
Interp feels that somehow they need totremendous work but it would be the type of
incorporate rape, molestation, or murder into theirpiece that would allow a competitor to easily take
piece. Ironically, you want to slit your wrists justthe competition.
watching some of the pieces (boredom andWhy? First of all, you would stand out because
content reasons). With that said, I can't help butthe people in your piece wouldn't be hanging
ask the question, "Isn't there more to drama?"themselves from their closets. Secondly, this
And the clear-cut answer is yes.would be very difficult to pull off but if you did it,
Because there is also the category of HI,the judges and your fellow competitors would be
obviously the drama is going to have to be morevery impressed. Third and finally, this is a
serious and less humorous. But why does seriouswell-known love story that many could relate to.
have to mean brutal or morbid? Take for instanceThis is just one suggestion. The point is simple:
my favorite play/musical of all-time: Phantom ofDon't focus on death and crime when you are
the Opera. You have a riveting story of threeputting together your DI piece. It is morbid,
people who have to overcome obstacles in theiroverused and quite frankly, not fun or enjoyable
own lives and on top of this all, they create ato listen to.
love triangle that is based off intense emotion.