Filling time between speakers while hosting an event
May 26, 2012 3:59 PM Subscribe
I'm the host/presenter at an event where there will be multiple contestants presenting speeches onstage to a high school-aged audience. What types of things could I say between speakers to fill the time as they set up and judges deliberate? Something interesting/funny to keep the audience interested...
One theme or topic would be good where I could use different examples or talk about different aspects of that theme in short (1-3?) minute intervals between each speaker. If there is a huge technical problem or something I could move on to the next part...
This should be in some way related to speech/language or body language/talking in public/etc.... (this is what the event concerns...) However I would like to avoid things that could directly affect the participants or their speeches. (i.e. I dont want to give tips to grab the audience's attention because I may be spoiling the surprise attention grabbing statement of one of the speakers).
Last year's host for this event used fun facts about speech/language. This was perfect...though we cant use it again.
One theme or topic would be good where I could use different examples or talk about different aspects of that theme in short (1-3?) minute intervals between each speaker. If there is a huge technical problem or something I could move on to the next part...
This should be in some way related to speech/language or body language/talking in public/etc.... (this is what the event concerns...) However I would like to avoid things that could directly affect the participants or their speeches. (i.e. I dont want to give tips to grab the audience's attention because I may be spoiling the surprise attention grabbing statement of one of the speakers).
Last year's host for this event used fun facts about speech/language. This was perfect...though we cant use it again.
Best answer: Historical vignettes about public speaking? Brain science about public speaking/language? Humorous data about how people you know feel about the topic at hand (you could conduct a poll before the event). Quotes/interview excerpts from famous choreographers, dancers about movement/performance?
You could do a wide variety of topics, but I would use one governing idea or key word. That way each time you take the stage the audience won't feel like they're in for something completely new. It's tough-- you need to be interesting, but not so interesting that you upstage the presenters.
Alternately, is there any way you could use a screen and project something (quotes, facts) between "acts"? That way the interludes would be a different medium.
Good luck!
posted by cymru_j at 5:58 PM on May 26, 2012
You could do a wide variety of topics, but I would use one governing idea or key word. That way each time you take the stage the audience won't feel like they're in for something completely new. It's tough-- you need to be interesting, but not so interesting that you upstage the presenters.
Alternately, is there any way you could use a screen and project something (quotes, facts) between "acts"? That way the interludes would be a different medium.
Good luck!
posted by cymru_j at 5:58 PM on May 26, 2012
Best answer: Fun facts about the different languages of the world?
Poetry? Pop/Rap lyrics read as poetry? Both?
A giant game where people have to go seat by seat naming a word that starts with the last letter of the word before it? Eg Alabama-Arkansas-S Carolina-Albuquerque-England (you could choose a theme or not, you don't have to stick with geography).
Fun facts about the teachers/leadership of the school, community, organization. Get each person to give you the facts about themselves to avoid embarrassment.
posted by Heart_on_Sleeve at 8:46 PM on May 26, 2012
Poetry? Pop/Rap lyrics read as poetry? Both?
A giant game where people have to go seat by seat naming a word that starts with the last letter of the word before it? Eg Alabama-Arkansas-S Carolina-Albuquerque-England (you could choose a theme or not, you don't have to stick with geography).
Fun facts about the teachers/leadership of the school, community, organization. Get each person to give you the facts about themselves to avoid embarrassment.
posted by Heart_on_Sleeve at 8:46 PM on May 26, 2012
Response by poster: Thanks all,
I originally wasn't wanting to risk adding the technological aspect (I cant control it from the stage) but after seeing your suggestions I think in the end what the audience needs is something a little different, and possibly humorous...
I'm thinking of using different video clips related to speaking (fastest speaker recites to be or not to be, backwards speaker, speaking parrot, ASL, etc...).
I actually LOVE the poll idea and the fun facts idea, however since I am doing this last minute I wont have time to collect this info. I will keep it in mind for another event!
posted by nzydarkxj at 7:39 PM on May 27, 2012
I originally wasn't wanting to risk adding the technological aspect (I cant control it from the stage) but after seeing your suggestions I think in the end what the audience needs is something a little different, and possibly humorous...
I'm thinking of using different video clips related to speaking (fastest speaker recites to be or not to be, backwards speaker, speaking parrot, ASL, etc...).
I actually LOVE the poll idea and the fun facts idea, however since I am doing this last minute I wont have time to collect this info. I will keep it in mind for another event!
posted by nzydarkxj at 7:39 PM on May 27, 2012
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So my recommendation for filler is 'We're just preparing for the next speaker. Please feel free to talk amongst yourselves. [...] Thank you, ladies and gentlemen. Our next speaker is...'
posted by obiwanwasabi at 5:47 PM on May 26, 2012 [1 favorite]