By Coach Liesl Roorda
Montezuma Speech and Drama has been recognized for two large group events advancing to the All State Large Group Festival in Ames at Iowa State University on Saturday, February 18.
Choral Reading: “Save Us a Seat” with Zoe Roberts, Lily Shoemaker, Lydia Singleton, Hayley Burnett, Haylee Walter, Kaya Latcham, Claire Erselius, Camryn Brennan, and Faith Ferry has earned All State non-performing recognition.
“Save Us a Seat” was written by staff member Earlene Taylor in collaboration with staffers Liesl Roorda and Dianne Singleton. It follows the life of a benevolent woman as she impacts many lives.
The performance highlights moments where we see important interactions where she encourages and supports others.
Over the performance, we see her starting to need special care from others after she is diagnosed with dementia. Those she has helped rally around her. It’s a poignant look at an ugly disease that is impacting many lives.
Musical Theatre: “Chicago, Cell Block Tango,” with Hayley Burnett, Lily Shoemaker, Izzy Roorda, Laila Kercheval, Addyson Probasco, and Camryn Brennan, has also earned All State non-performing recognition.
In the roaring twenties Chicago, Roxie Hart murders a faithless lover and convinces her husband, Amos, to take the rap…until he finds out he’s been duped and turns on Roxie.
Convicted and sent to death row, Roxie and another “Merry Murderess,” Velma Kelly, vie for the spotlight and the headlines, ultimately joining forces in search of the “American Dream”: fame, fortune, and acquittal.
In the musical number the girls performed, Roxie’s fellow prison mates, including the famous Velma Kelly, share their stories of what they did to join the “Merry Murderesses” group and end up on death row. Are they guilty or would you have done the same?
These recognitions are extremely difficult to earn and are well- deserved. Congratulations are in order to both groups!