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Chase Harrison competed for Millburn High School in New Jersey. He was the 2011 Yale Invitational winner and a two-time finalist at the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament in United States Extemp (2012 and 2013). He also qualified for the Exhibition Round at the Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin two times and was a three-time runner-up at the Extemporaneous Speaking Tournament of Champions (TOC) at Northwestern University. Last fall, Chase became the youngest person elected to a public office in New Jersey history by winning a one-year term on the Millburn Board of Education.
This is the second part of a two-part interview. Click here to access part one.
You really burst onto the national scene in the fall of 2011 by winning Yale as a sophomore. Talk about that experience and discuss why the Yale tournament is one of the premier national circuit competitions.
That will go down as one of the best days in my life so far. I not only achieved a dream, but I did it on my birthday! My goal for Yale was to final, and I knew if I gave consistent, solid speeches I could achieve it. Convincing myself of that was half the battle. When I did final, I ended up being 5th speaker, so I had like an hour to sit by myself in Prep Room and contemplate. Ultimately, I just tried to give the same type of speeches I had been giving in outrounds with some final round flair. Going straight 1’s and seeing my teammate Henry Chapman get second were icing on the (birthday) cake for me. The final panel that year was 5 former-Extempers who all got 3rd or higher at NFL Nats. That’s why Yale is so fantastic- the outround panels are mostly former, accomplished extempers.
Was it disappointing not to make it back to the NSDA USX final round for the third straight year? Were you surprised you did not make it back or did a certain speech pull you down?
It was extremely disappointing, especially because I really wanted to end my career on the stage. Nonetheless, making finals twice was such a pleasure, I wasn’t too crushed not to get a third go at it. I was surprised I didn’t make it solely because I felt like I was having the tournament of my career.
Thinking back on some of the jittery, sloppy speeches I gave as a sophomore that got me on to the final round stage, I was certainly feeling confident about my senior year odds. Both semis rounds were politics, and I think I ran into some trouble being too liberal because I am so used to East Coach judges. NFL has a wide birth of regions, opinions, and backgrounds in the judging pool and speakers need to be careful not to insert too much personal bias.
Since you did make two NSDA final rounds in USX, what advice would you give competitors when navigating NSDA Nationals and handling final round jitters?
Extempers: it is legal to smile!!! Especially in final rounds, make sure to savor the moment and look like you are enjoying yourself. Extemp gets a reputation for being dry because a lot of Extempers look like they are delivering eulogies every round.
What is your opinion about the Extemp TOC? The event never seems to draw more than 25% of the competitors that qualify. What steps do you think the TOC could take to improve participation?
I love the Extemp TOC. The judging is always exceptional and Northwestern/Evanston is perhaps my favorite tournament location. I think the Extemp TOC needs to advertise more and perhaps post the video of this year’s final round because it is the single best round of Extemp I’ve ever seen (Shoutout: Miles, Josh, Lily, Arel, Sydney). If people knew the level of competition they could compete with and witness at this tournament, I think attendance would go up.
You made the Exhibition Round twice at the Montgomery Bell Academy Extemp Round Robin. What is your opinion of the tournament and how can speakers do well there?
MBA is partially a tournament of endurance and consistency. Competitors should remind themselves before each round of how much tournament means to hype themselves up. Because of the level of competition, additional smart risks should be considered for each round. Make creative jokes. Go for an out-of-the-box answer. Try playing with different emotions in your delivery. If you make the Exhibition Round, enjoy yourself! It doesn’t count, so do something you wouldn’t ordinarily do.
If someone asked you how they could improve as a speaker, what advice would you give them?
Do Oratory. And if you’re feeling brave, do Interp. This will undoubtedly bolster your speaking skills and help personalize your delivery.
If you could make a rule change to extemporaneous speaking what would it be? Or do you think anything needs to be changed?
I’d like to see Internet be legalized at more tournaments. Filing can be really tough for those without big teams, those who do other activities, or those who go to unsupportive schools. The Internet would make Extemp rounds a little less terrifying (you would never have to speak on a question you have no info on) and allow Extempers to run more specific and more interesting analysis. Regular filing systems would still be very useful in a Internet-enabled Extemp world.
If you could do one tournament or round all over again, which would you choose and why?
I would not have done a Russian accent for all 7 minutes in the Villiger final my Junior year. I might have won, but it was a silly risk that made some very important judges lose a lot of respect for me.
What was your favorite tournament to attend? Why?
Yale. It always renewed my love Extemp because it was my first tournament of the year and I had forgotten the thrill of Forensics. The judges and campus were brilliant every year.
Your speaking style usually drew praise based on your ability to make very smart jokes. Is there a way to learn to do that or did it just come naturally to you?
I think that comes from my background in theater and improv comedy. Doing improv comedy helped me learn how to be spontaneously funny without seeming like I was trying too hard. Try watching the Daily Show or Last Week Tonight and recognize how Jon Stewart and John Oliver frame their humor. Most importantly, figure out what type of humor works for you. Don’t try to just replicate others.
What are your future plans? Do you plan on maintaining a link with the high school circuit?
I do plan on maintaining a link with the high school circuit! I will be part of the team running Extemp Prep at Yale this year, so look for me there. I’m also considering coaching for several high schools. You can direct any inquiries (individual or team) to [email protected]. (I’ve answered all these questions. I can do a bit of a plug.)
When people look back several years from now on your career, what would you most like them to remember about you? What would you like your historical legacy to be in the event?
I’d like them to think of myself as someone who pushed the bounds of what Extemp can be and what it can accomplish. Too often, I’ve seen empty auditoriums during Extemp finals at major tournaments. I’d like to think I helped move Extemp towards a style that makes it a more approachable and exciting event for both Extempers and non-Extempers to watch. I hope I’ve shown Extempers that your style can be highly personal and you can take big risks with success.
Thank you again for taking the time to sit down and talk with us Chase.
It took more than 37 minutes, but I’m so glad I got to speak my mind. Thanks for the opportunity, Logan.