TI is one of two events that are exempt from the "no props" rule, the other being Expos. It is the only event exempt from the memorization rule and the single piece rule.
As with all other interps, your pieces must be nationally published or available as an eBook. The work you choose must have been published as intended. What this rule is meant to address is the use of anthologies: you are probably familiar with the literature books used at school. These books are not considered one source, as the authors intended for their works to be published as an independent book. Therefore, you cannot use an entire anthology as one piece. However, some anthologies are meant to be anthologies, such as Shel Silverstein's Where the Sidewalk Ends. This would be okay to use as one piece.
Students may choose between 3 to 5 pieces to perform that all fall under a theme of your choosing. You can either do each piece consecutively, stepping out of character to introduce each one, or introduce them all at the beginning and weave your pieces together.
Weaving entitles performing small parts of your pieces to make them flow and seem like one piece that fits under your theme (1/2 piece 1, then 2/3 piece 2, back to other 1/2 piece 1). Your pieces can be dramatic, humorous, or a song.
As with all other interp events, you must declare the title and author of your pieces. Therefore, in TI, you must do the same for each of your pieces. You can either introduce all of your selections at the beginning, and give a brief explanation of your theme as well, or you can introduce each piece one by one, and explain how each fits your theme as you go along.
You have a lot of freedom when it comes to how you put your TI together. Conservative judges typically like to see you perform the entirety of one piece, explain the second, and then perform the entirety of the second, and so on. This type of cutting helps to ensure that your audience understands your theme and makes your performance much easier to follow.
On the other hand, weaving creates a more complex performance that can flow as if it were only one piece, if done well. It also avoids the awkward breaks that performing a piece one after the other has. However, weaving also leaves room for messy character transitions and may leave your audiences confused. Different judges have different preferences, and it's not like you can change how your TI is structured depending on how you think the judge might want to see it. Do whatever works for you!
The entire thing must be under a maximum time of 10:30, giving you roughly 2-3 minutes for each piece. Your performance must be done with a small binder that contains only your script. Therefore, you do not have to memorize it, but we strongly suggest you do so. Virtually all competitors memorize their pieces, with the exception of novice tournaments, as this shows professionalism and allows you to make eye contact and get involved in your performance.
You are permitted and encouraged to use your binder as a prop, such as using it to make sound effects, as a laptop or notebook, as compact makeup; anything you could possibly think of. However, you may not insert images or any type of visual aid inside or outside the binder; it can only hold your script.
The convention in Speech and Debate is to use a black, non-glossy binder, although there are no specific rules against this. You may use a colored binder of any size if you wish, and the color may be used to your advantage, as in coordinating with your ensemble or representing something in a part of your piece. However, please note that the use of visual aids is not allowed, and some judges may interpret the color as a visual aid.
A black binder and its corresponding pages can be bought here. Staples also sells those durable binders in the smaller size that is typically used in TI, and these come in a variety of colors. The Staples binders cost about $6, and do not come with the smaller paper needed. However, you can work around this by folding a letter sized piece of paper in half horizontally, and then using a 3-hole puncher on the folded side. Judges will mostly likelynot check the insides of your binders, but please remember the restrictions on what your binder can house, as judges can lower your rank or even disqualify you if they suspect something.
