What to Expect Coaching Humorous Interpretation
In Humorous Interpretation (HI), students choose a play, short story, or other published work and perform a selection of one or more portions of the piece. Humorous Interpretation is designed to test a student’s comedic skills through script analysis, delivery, timing, and character development. Competitors may portray one or multiple characters. Carrie Spina describes what it is like to coach the event.
What makes coaching Humorous Interpretation unique?
Humorous Interpretation encourages students to have fun while showcasing their creativity. It allows them to explore a wide range of characters through distinct voices, impersonations, sound effects, comedic timing, expressive blocking, and purposeful movement. What makes this event so special is that it gives students the opportunity to fully embrace character work and bring a story to life in a way that is both entertaining and meaningful. It is a perfect fit for students who have a gift for vocal variety, physical expression, and making an audience laugh through strong storytelling—not just by being funny, but by creating memorable, believable characters.
How does competing in Humorous Interpretation benefit your students?
Humor is something we all need more of, especially when so many speech topics in other categories focus on heavy or emotional subjects. Humor gives students the opportunity to bring joy to an audience while still telling a meaningful story. Not everyone can do humor well—it’s much more than simply being funny. Students learn how to channel their comedic instincts into effective storytelling by developing characters, using timing, making intentional performance choices, and creating authentic moments of laughter. They also build confidence, creativity, and strong communication skills that extend far beyond competition. Watching students discover how to connect with an audience through laughter is incredibly rewarding, and those skills stay with them long after the season ends.
Carrie Alexander Spina is a two-diamond coach who has coached for more than 15 years. She currently serves as the speech and debate coach at Tuscarawas Valley Middle-High School in Ohio. Carrie also provides arts outreach through her performing arts company, New Direction Performing Arts Academy. Carrie coached the 2026 Storytelling national champion and has guided numerous students to state championships, state runner-up finishes, and has had finalists at every major national tournament. One of her proudest memories was coaching her son, Drake Spina, to the National Tournament Humorous Interpretation final round in 2018.
I love that Humorous Interpretation allows students to explore the full range of emotions—making people laugh, feel, and connect, all within the same performance.
What do you most appreciate about coaching Humorous Interpretation?
It’s not just a laughing competition. At its best, humor tells a heartfelt story with funny moments woven throughout. It gives students the opportunity to bring genuine joy to their audience while also creating meaningful emotional connections. Laughter is contagious, and there is something incredibly rewarding about watching an audience laugh together. But when a performance also includes moments of heart and sincerity, it becomes even more memorable. I love that Humorous Interpretation allows students to explore the full range of emotions—making people laugh, feel, and connect, all within the same performance.
What should a new coach know about coaching Humorous Interpretation?
Coaching Humorous Interpretation isn’t easy, but it’s absolutely worth it. There are plenty of resources available to help you learn the event, and if you have students with the right personality and passion, don’t be afraid to take the chance.
One of the best things about this event is that you don’t have to copy what everyone else is doing. Be creative, trust your instincts, and encourage your students to find their own unique style. The performances that stand out are often the ones that feel authentic and original. It’s also important to remember that being naturally funny isn’t enough. Students need to study comedic techniques, timing, characterization, and storytelling. Our students don’t learn only from us, they learn by watching others. Some of the greatest growth happens by studying past final round performances or attending live rounds. Encourage them to watch high-quality performances, watch Humorous Interpretation rounds at tournaments, and learn from experienced competitors. It’s amazing how much both coaches and students can learn simply by observing great performers in action.