The forensics showcasing I went to included five main performances: poetry, persuasion, prose, impromptu, and ADS.
The poetry isn't just reading a poem that you wrote or creating a sort of slam poetry which has one climax and an end. It is so much more than that. The poetry is the introductory performance which brings out a subject that the author resonates with and then they create a sort of environment around themselves that sends chills down your spine. They memorize these speeches that go on for about five or more minutes. You will sit there wondering how it was possible for the author to memorize so much and be able to bring you in with every line you speak. Then you will realize, it isn't just about memorizing to them, it is about the passion in their bones as they tell the story. Every poem has a story and they are here to personify it with their words, their silence, and their music.
The persuasion aspect isn't simply having someone on stage reading off of a paper attempting to persuade you to think like them or agree with them. They don't just have opinions, they back it up with facts in such an eloquent way. It is as if though this person is taking their last breath ensuring that their side is told. They take pauses and look at the ground, you won't ever know if its because they forgot what to say next or if its because they are taking a moment of silence for those they are giving this performance for whom have lost the battle, a moment of silence for the unrepresented. A sense of empathy will grow in your hearts as their words resonate in your ears.
The prose is seeing a short story come to life. It will be a story that has some fiction but the author will do such a great job at bringing it to life that you will question reality from fiction. The prose that I heard left me breathing heavily awaiting what would happen next. The words the author spoke made my throat turn into a knot and I had such an urge to scream and make them aware of the danger but alas, I stayed in my chair, palms sweating and heart beating, hoping they were aware of the danger before reaching it. It was such a beautiful way to explain an inner battle, the details would nearly make you envision what was happening right before your eyes.
Impromptu is a bit different, someone in the audience says a word, then the speaker must write out a speech and perform it all under seven minutes. They give life to one word in seven minutes. You can see as they begin writing their speech, thinking of what to say and yet being aware of how much time they have left. They write and write until they finally speak. At first, you won't understand how the word comes into place but by the end of it all, you will understand more than you thought. They will make the word dance in your mind and evoke all of these thoughts as to say you never really understood the word, to begin with, but now you understand it, now you get to speak it.
ADS is more of a comedy performance. It is an after-dinner performance, kind of a PSA. They set the scene to lead into what they will talk about. You won't see the correlation until after the scene is put down. Then will come the problem and solutions as to how to fix it. They will go back to the scene they were first in but you won't even feel the transition between facts and scene. It will all flow so beautifully. You will smile in between at some points and the knot in your throat will form at other points. The performer will dance and engage the audience as much as they can but in the end, they will prove their point without you even realizing that the point had to be made.
Forensics will allow you to see a different side of the world. A world where facts collide with performances. A world where performances will sound like they must be in courts room. You will leave the showcase knowing a little more about everything and nothing at the same time. It is a once in a lifetime experience and I urge you to experience it if the opportunity ever arises.
