Charlotte Raketich is a senior at Jackson High School, a 4-year member of the speech and debate team in Dramatic Interpretation, a 3x State Qualifier, and the Director of Interpretation for Speech Resources.
Humorous Interpretation (HI) is about more than getting laughs. Strong performances are built on clear storytelling, disciplined choices, and intentional comedy. The following tips can help performers strengthen both the humor and the quality of their interpretation.
Select a cutting that fits your age, voice, and performance style. The humor should feel natural when you perform it, not forced. Pieces with a clear narrative, defined characters, and a consistent tone are generally more effective than collections of unrelated jokes.
Judges should always know who is speaking and what is happening. Clearly differentiate characters through subtle but consistent changes in voice, posture, and focus. Avoid overcomplicating transitions—simplicity often reads as more polished.
Comedy works best when it comes from character reactions, timing, and contrast. Avoid constant exaggeration or nonstop physical movement. Strategic stillness, pauses, and controlled delivery can often make a moment funnier than doing more.
A strong HI has a clear beginning, middle, and end. When cutting your piece, make sure the story builds logically and resolves clearly. Each moment should serve the narrative or develop a character, not just exist for a laugh.
Many successful HI pieces include meaningful themes beneath the comedy. Understanding the deeper message of your piece allows you to make stronger performance choices and gives the humor more impact.
Rehearse with attention to pacing, diction, and transitions. Record your performances, seek feedback, and be willing to cut or simplify moments that do not serve the piece. Consistent refinement is key to a clean, effective HI.
Humorous Interpretation is most successful when comedy supports storytelling. When performers commit to clarity, control, and purpose, the humor becomes more effective and the performance more memorable.