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InterpretationIndividual
Prose Interpretation
Narrative or non-fiction prose performed from a manuscript. Story and voice carry everything — no costumes, no props, just control.
Time
5 minutes (30-second grace)
Prep
N/A (prepared)
Format
Individual
Round structure
Teaser & intro
Open inside the story, then step out for title, author, and framing.
Narrative arc
A cutting with a beginning, escalation, and payoff — five minutes still needs a whole story.
Final image
End on the sentence that makes the judge exhale.
What judges look for
- Distinct narrator and character voices
- A cutting that stands alone without the book
- Pacing that breathes — fast isn't the only gear
- Connection over performance
- Controlled, purposeful binder work
Ballot criteria
StorytellingCritical
Arc, stakes, and payoff within the cutting.
CharacterizationHigh
Distinct, consistent voices.
TechniqueHigh
Pacing, binder work, physical control.
Practice tips
- Read the full work; your cutting improves when you know what you cut.
- Give the narrator a personality, not just a neutral voice.
- Practice 'pop' between voices with single-line drills.
- Mark where the story turns and slow down there.
Common mistakes
- A cutting that's a scene, not a story
- Identical voices for every character
- Racing through the emotional beats to fit time
- Treating the intro as a formality instead of a frame
Drills for this event
NarrationCharacter voicePacingCutting