I try to get the message across through voice inflection, facial expression, not through acting. Forensics rules allow each person between five and eight minutes to tell their tale, recite their poem, read a story or make up a speech on a given topic. If a piece has more than one character, the person reciting uses different body expressions and voices to differentiate among them. Erick Johnson chose the poem 'The Perfect High' by Shel Silverstein, which includes three characters. Even after months of performing the same piece, he continues to look for new ways to differentiate among the characters and make his recitation more exciting.
Interpretation is a little more exciting that straight public address.
Members of the Forensics Team compete in the same category and use the same piece all season, which runs from February to March. Once a team uses a piece in a category it must be retired. Competitors are not required to memorize their piece, but most do because judges frown on reading it at a meet. The key to success in Forensics is to keep the piece sounding fresh at each competition and that means not rehearsing it too much. Only the thought of victory and the prospect of winning keeps me going.