Communication Students Bring Great Speeches to Life

Reminiscent of the popular movie “Night at the Museum,” great speeches from history and the movies will come to life at 7 p.m. Nov. 18 at the Ruth W. Towne Museum and Visitors Center.

Approximately 30 communication students from COMM 270, Advanced Public Speaking, and other communication classes will portray speakers or characters in an entertaining program organized by Barry Poyner, professor of communication, and sponsored by the Communication Club (NCASC).

Students will share brief insights about the speakers and the rhetorical situation, in addition to performing excerpts from the speeches. At any given point, about half of the students will be in character. This will allow the other performers to move around and enjoy speeches as well.  

Speeches are from the "Top 100 Great Speeches of the 20th Century," in addition to famous movies. The list includes Richard M. Nixon’s “Checkers,” ranked No. 6, Malcom X’s “The Ballot or the Bullet,” ranked No. 7, Woodrow Wilson’s “War Message,” ranked No. 19, Huey Long’s “Every Man a King,” ranked No. 26, John F. Kennedy’s “Civil Rights,” ranked No. 46 and Ursula LeGuin’s “A Left-Handed Commencement,” ranked No. 82.

The event is self-paced and is each student presentation is about five minutes. Cake and punch will also be served to honor the National Communication Association’s centennial celebration. Those attending are encouraged to vote for the best portrayal based on dress, delivery of quotes, understanding of speaker, rhetorical situation and rhetorical splendor. It is free and open to the public.  

Students of all majors are invited to join the Communication Club. NCASC is committed to enriching the lives of undergraduate communication majors and minors by promoting the study and application of communication principles through educational and social functions. For more information, contact Poyner at 660.785.4063.