Humorous Interpretation
At its core, HI uses humor as a tool to reveal universal truths, create connection, and make people laugh. But humor is complex and subjective; what gets big laughs from one audience might fall flat with another. That’s why successful HI competitors think carefully about their material: Is it genuinely funny? Is it appropriate and engaging for a broad audience? Will the story resonate even if a particular joke doesn’t land? Students should choose material appropriate for their age, maturity level, and school or team standards, ensuring that the content is both suitable and effective.
Compete
- What to Expect Competing in Humorous Interpretation Events
- Interpretation Textbook
- How to Get Started in Interpretation
- Source Material for Interpretation Events
- National Tournament Script Database
- National Tournament Script List Archive
- How to Pick a Topic & Piece
- How to Cut a Script
- Character Checklist
- Finding the Honest Voice of the Character
- How to Find Your Comedic Voice
- How to Build Character and Environment
- How to Create an Environment in Interpretation
- Humorous Interpretation Showcase
- Character Transitions in Humorous & Dramatic Interp
- Physicality in Humorous & Dramatic Interp
Coach
Final Round Videos
Robin Williams said, ‘You’re only given a little spark of madness. You mustn’t lose it.’ HI was my way of keeping and exercising my madness muscle, because we all need a little madness to keep the insanity away. HI, and speech in general, helped to cultivate a sense of fearlessness, not only in my performances, but also in my life.
Humorous Interpretation
HI • High School Main Event • Middle School Main Event
Humorous Interpretation (HI) is a 10-minute event (with a 30-second grace period) that challenges students to entertain and connect with audiences through comedic storytelling. Using published material, performers often portray multiple characters, shifting voices, and physicality to bring dynamic scenes to life, all without props, costumes, or sets.
This event is perfect for students with strong comedic timing, physical expressiveness, and a love for character work. A strong HI balances laugh-out-loud moments with heart and relatability, anchoring the humor in characters and situations that feel real, even in the most outrageous scenes.