The Kennedy speech teams started their season on Jan. 20 at districts at Monticello High School. With all teams rating one and moving on to state, the groups prepared for what was ahead of them.
“It’s a lot more rigorous, there’s definitely a higher expectation this time around,” senior Maclane Bryner said. “It feels more like the real deal with this competition.”
Kennedy competes in five different categories including Improv Acting in which the group creates a story from a randomly chosen topic, One Act Play where teams memorize and produce a play with costumes and props and Ensemble Acting which is similar to One Act Play, but with a more minimalist style, only using a chair and table as your props. Short Film and Radio Broadcast are pre-recorded categories where all editing and acting are done before the competition.
One act play performed a skit called “The Nigth Wire” including senior Calliope Matta, juniors Haile Miller and Ricki Davis, along with sophomore Cal Loan.
The improv groups included Bryner, seniors Grace Goodin, Brady Johnson, Ian Meggers and Calliope Matta and sophomores Onnika Hallam, Wren Hamilton-Bailey and Izzy Westercamp.
Ensemble acting performed a skit called “My Brain at 1 AM” with seniors Jayah Anderson and Mayah Anderson and juniors Tori Paga and Brielle Thatcher. The other group did a skit called “Iris” which involved Bryner, Paga, junior Haile Miller and sophomores Cal Loan and Evelyn Timmerman.
The Short Film team included senior producer Ami Jacobo and starring seniors Isaac White, Samuel Larson and Shaylee Spicer, creating a film about a love story. Radio Broadcast recorded a podcast with junior Jacob Eilders and sophomores Audrey Pruett, Amelia Mardorf and Louise Morand.
“At the start of first semester, we try to hold a general interest meeting, just to present all of the different categories available for students to choose,” Kennedy Speech Coach Sophie Steffensmeier said. “From there, we hold auditions to see what kind of range you have, and what team would fit you best.”
Each team scored a one at districts and advanced to state. At state, all teams again received one ratings.
“This is one of the most successful years we’ve had in recent history,” Bryner said.
If you are interested in auditioning for the speech program, Steffensmeier is looking to grow the program and revive Kennedy’s past categories. She advocates for new members and focuses on the positive environment between those in the group.
“Everywhere you go, there’s this bright, friendly and excited energy all around you,” Steffensmeier said. “Everyone is just so nice and happy to be there.”
