Forensics at Overbrook

For more than 23 years the Overbrook Forensics Team has been a successful component of the school’s curriculum. As a co-curricular activity, the program seeks to help students gain self-confidence and poise in public speaking. The Overbrook Forensics Team is a charter member of the National Junior Forensics League.

As a member of the Overbrook Forensics Team, a student has the unique opportunity to improve his or her speaking skills. Forensics consists of interested students in grades 5-8 who are part of a competitive troupe (which includes debate). Being a member of the forensics team can open possibilities in so many areas — including drama. Some Overbrook forensics students have continued to develop their speaking skills in high school and have been awarded college scholarships. Over 60% of the students in grades 5-8 are members of the team.

The competitive troupe meets once a week and practices for upcoming competitions in areas such as debate, humorous and dramatic interpretation, original oratory, extemporaneous speaking, interpretation of prose and poetry, duet acting, duet improvisation, reader’s theatre, TV broadcasting and duo interpretations.