Middle (l to r): Zach Gibson, Alexis Ferguson and Niall Lyons portray superheroes and super villains during their ensemble acting piece “The Supers.”
Bottom (l to r): Bridgette Moore, Morgan Sanders and Natalie Wheeler sing to “Omigosh You Guys” during their musical theater performance of “Legally Blonde: The Musical.”
by Natalie Kirton
On Thursday, Jan. 5, directors Liesl Roorda and Derek Bates presented to the community this year’s large group Speech and Drama participants.
The annual dress rehearsal began with a dinner of Maid Rites, chips and a variety of desserts. Then, student groups were split between the junior high gym and the school lunchroom.
Performing first in the gym was the Freshman Choral Reading group with their piece, “Magic Land.” Performers include Clara Johnson, Alex Brenner, Steve Kopp, Vincent Bushong, Joe Peck, Seth Fahlenkamp, Kaylene Corbin, Cheyenne Peters, Trevor Moyer, Sidney Roorda, Mikey Lyons and Luke Goodman. “Magic Land” is a collage of different fairy tale-like stories tied together with the theme of magic.
Next were two Group Improvisation acts. The first group consisted of Dayton Pringle, Cassie Corbin and Kaylee White. The second group was Matthew Armstrong, Niall Lyons and Zach Gibson.
“Party of Three” was an ensemble piece played by Macy Taylor, Alyssa Lyddon, Karah Hansen, Matthew Armstrong and Stephen Vavroch. This piece is about a married couple being interrupted by an obnoxious diner at the next table.
The Reader’s Theatre group performed a skit titled “The 11th,” a serious piece compiled of different memories from September 11, 2001. These included a woman boarding a plane and sitting next to a woman who she believes to be an Arab, as well as a school principal stressing over whether or not to release their students.
Group members include Alyssa Lyddon, Karah Hansen, Destiny Romberg, Bridgette Moore, Kaylin Hansen, Macy Taylor, Mariah Hirsch, Nathan Wheeler, Tiffany Heishman, Lex Jack, Cassie Corbin, Julie Audas, Colleen Johnston and Sage Comstock.
The last performance in the gym was a Choral Reading piece called “Move,” which transitions through inspirational Christian songs dealing with some of life’s harder choices.
The participants in this group include Shena Bryan, Aly James, Kendra Cranston, Natalie Wheeler, Abbi Nelson, Stephen Vavroch, Coleton Tompkins, Alexis Ferguson, Emily Long, Brynna Steele, Kaylee White, Courtney Petersen, Nathan Wheeler and Shane Lyons.
The ensemble group consisting of Niall Lyons, Alexis Ferguson and Zach Gibson kicked off the performances in the lunchroom. Their piece was titled “The Supers” and focuses on three superheroes angry about a life-long dispute over a Yo-Yo.
The Musical Theatre group sang tunes from “Legally Blonde: The Musical.” This group was made up of Natalie Wheeler, Bridgette Moore, Kendra Cranston and Morgan Sanders.
Next was an ensemble group coached by Earlene Taylor performing “Elevator Games.” Members of the group include Shena Bryan, Madison Dawley and Carly Steele, who play three strangers stuck in an elevator together.
The last performance was the Radio News Broadcasting group led by Anya Johnson. The audience was able to listen to a recording of a fitness and health broadcast, performed by Colleen Johnston, Becky Kopp, Lex Jack, Tiffany Heishman and Garrett VanMaanen.
These students are anxiously awaiting their first contest, which is held at Grinnell High School on Jan. 21.
