Montezuma Speech and Drama sends eight teams on to state

     The musical theater group made up of Kaya Latcham, Lydia Singleton, Faith Ferry, Justine Theis, Bryn Fantazia and Owen Deshroshers earned a Division 1 rating and is state bound after their performance of “Side Show.”

By J.O. Parker
 
      On Saturday, Jan. 21,  Montezuma High School traveled to South Tama High School for the IHSSA (Iowa High School Speech Association) District Large Group Speech competition. 
      Montezuma had nine teams perform at districts. Eight teams qualified to move on to state, which will be held on Saturday, Feb. 4 at Cedar Rapids Washington High School.
       Kelly Kaup had the privilege of coaching Musical Theater and Improv. The musical theater group made up of Kaya Latcham, Lydia Singleton, Faith Ferry, Justine Theis, Bryn Fantazia and Owen Deshroshers is state bound after their performance of “Side Show.” 
      “Cell Block Tango” from Chicago, also coached by Kaup, and featuring Izzy Roorda, Camryn Brennan, Lily Shoemaker, Hayley Burnett, Addyson Probasco and Laila Kercheval. They also received a Division 1 rating.
       The three improv teams were also very successful. They all received Division 1 ratings and are moving on to state. Team One consisted of Laila Kercheval and Justine Theis. They performed a hilarious scene to the prompt of going through security at Thanksgiving. Team Two’s subject was out sang everyone in improv by performing the prompt getting directions from an Opera Singer. Those performing were Addyson Probasco, Taylor Wilcox, Lola Miller and Claire Erselius. And Team Three, consisting of Tayler Wickham and Owen Descochers, made us laugh with their wonderful characters performing the prompt can't find your glasses while driving. 
      Radio Broadcast was performed by Haylee Walters, Loki Harris, Carson VanDerHart, Kaylynn Wanders, Jack Erselius, Cruz DeJong and Izzy Roorda. They were coached by Liesl Roorda and received a Division 1 Rating. 
   “Life’s Arrangement” written by Earlene Taylor and Dianne Singleton was The Choral Reading. It was coached by Liesl Roorda and Dianne Singleton. Students performing were Faith Ferry, Zoe Roberts, Lydia Singleton, Lily Shoemaker, Kaya Latcham, Camryn Brennan, Claire Erselius, Haylee Walters and Hayley Burnett. They received a Division 1 Rating.
     Mime “Life in Snapshots” was coached by Dianne Singleton. Performers Bryn Fantazia and Loki Harris received a Division 1 Rating. 
       “I was so proud of Bryn and Loki,” Singleton said. “They performed with the edge of new 
experience as both students have never competed in Mime before.”
     Singleton also coached the Acting Ensemble, “Garage Sale,” who received a Division II rating. It was performed by Taylor Wilcox, Zoe Roberts and Madalyn Flemming.
      “Districts is an event that also has upsets,” added Singleton. “This ensemble was performed well. The room erupted in laughter as their story unwound but they were given a Division 11. No matter the division rating, our teams did a wonderful job and demonstrated dramatic skill and concentration. We have many reasons to be proud of the speech and drama students of Montezuma High School.”

       “Cell Block Tango” from Chicago, also coached by Kelly Kaup, and featuring Izzy Roorda, Camryn Brennan, Lily Showemaker, Hayley Burnett, Addyson Probasco and Laila Kercheval. They also received a Division 1 rating and will perform at state on Feb. 4.

​     In the Mime category, Loki Harris and Bryn Fantazia performed “Life in Snapshots,” earning the duo a Division 1 rating and trip to state on Saturday, Feb. 4.