(See sample speech here)
Introduction
A play is a story told in the form of action and dialogue. Plays usually are presented on stage, with lighting, costumes, scenery, makeup, actors and props. However, the interpretive reader of a play ignores all of these items and merely suggest the essence of the play through voice, body, emotion, and imagination.
Executive Summary
The interpretive reader of a play reads the parts of more than one character, using different vocal qualities and body movements to distinguish between them. Select a play or portion of a play that involves only a few characters or you may confuse the audience. Practice the reading until you can smoothly change characters.
Objectives
- To adapt a play for interpretive reading
- To portray several characters in one reading, identifying them to the audience through voice changes and movement.
Your Assignment
Select, rehearse, and present a play or portion of a play. (You may find the plays of James M. Barrie and Eugene O'Neill of interest.) Edit the material as necessary to fall into the given time frame, following the guidelines in the appendix at the back of this manual. Your play should have no more than three different characters. Use your voice and gestures/body movement to suggest each character to your audience. Be sure to review the tips on gestures/body movement and reading in the appendix. Prepare an appropriate introduction of no more than 60 seconds.
Since many people are not familiar with interpretive reading and its purpose, you may want to have the Toastmaster briefly explain the nature of interpretive reading before introducing you.
This information is provided as a service to members. For full details on this speech project, refer to the Interpretive Reading manual. All materials in the Toastmasters Educational Program are copyright Toastmasters International. All rights reserved.
The Interpretive Reading Manual
