Review: Tammy the T-Rex and Forensics February

As some of you may know, the forensics team is avidly practicing for their upcoming forensics competition on February 14th, but what some of you may not know is what forensics even is.  The best way I know to explain it is that it is dramatic reading with more memorization.  

There are multiple categories in forensics, from serious interpretations to humorous duos, but they all share some common rules:  performers aren't allowed to use props, they must stay in a hula hoop sized circle, they must not look at any other participating members in the eyes (in the case of a duo), and in most cases, they are required to have the entire piece memorized.  The poetry category, for instance, allows the person competing to have a copy of the poem in a small binder.

Sophomore Emily Dix has an especially good forensics piece this year.  She is in the category Humorous Interpretation, which is where one person must memorize and act out a funny skit, and her piece is about being a teenage T-Rex named Tammy.  Tammy has a crush, just like any other teenager, and desperately wants to be recognized by him.

Overall, the piece is very funny.  Playing as a dinosaur requires Emily to give a series of dinosaur squawks and pretend to have a tail and talons.  Not only does Emily act out the main character Tammy, but also a cast of other supporting characters, including Tammy's crush, Cliff.  Emily does an excellent job distinguishing between all the characters, and as the season progresses, keeps adding more to their individual personalities.  Even after watching the piece multiple times, I find myself laughing every time.

If you haven't had a chance to see Emily's forensics piece, then try to find the time to watch it.  It will certainly make you laugh, and could possibly be a state-worthy forensics piece later in the season.  Way to go, Emily Dix!  Squawk!

Dylan Crigger