The WKU Forensics Team performed selected pieces from a wide and varied repertoire in a showcase for the student body Saturday night.

The showcase, which took place in the Fine Arts Center Recital Hall, served as not just a performance for the community, but as a rehearsal. The team will compete in the American Forensic Association National Individual Events Tournament next week.

“We’re here to showcase what we do as a team,” Hodgenville sophomore Ellis Fraser said.

The show included a wide variety of speech and debate events, including Poetry Interpretation, Informative Speaking, Extemporaneous Speaking, Dramatic Interpretation, Impromptu Speaking and After Dinner Speaking.

Kansas City, Mo., sophomore Darius Wilson performed a Poetry Interpretation called “Involuntary Martyrs” in the showcase. The piece, a compilation of several poems about the Birmingham Church bombings of 1963, ranged from humorous to emotional, and Wilson’s performance was met with a standing ovation.

“I worked once a week for an hour and a half since December,” Wilson said.

Knoxville, Tenn., junior Allison Linn said she was at the showcase to show her support for the team.

“These people are my friends,” she said. “There are some really cool people involved with this team.”

Marshall Covert, a junior from Twin Cities, Minn., has been on the team for three years. He talked about the importance of the skills he is learning with forensics.

“No other activity prepares you for so many types of speaking,” he said. “Being confident in yourself is so important.”

St. Charles, Mo., freshman Brittany Broder, a first-year member of the forensics team, talked about next week’s national competition.

“I love seeing my teammates do what they do,” she said. “We are very prepared.”