State qualifiers take local stage

Sure would, Sherwood? Actors mix wordplay among eight teams

By Kate Hayden

khayden@charlescitypress.com

Imogen Herdman (Olivia Ayers) may have convinced herself that as Mary, she was the star of the annual Christmas pageant at church –– the first pageant she and her ragtag siblings had ever taken part in. But her sister Gladys (Kaitlyn Pellymonter), the enthusiastic and perhaps over-the-top angel, had the top showface among the bunch on opening night in ‘The Best Christmas Pageant Ever’.

They were just two of the lively characters brought to life Thursday night through Charles City High School speech students. From the sassiest, most frustrating DMV experience ever with Issac Fortunato and Ellen Wandro, to an unconventional exploration of the Robin Hood with 15 unruly if legendary characters, there was something for everyone as the speech team showed off state-qualifying performances. Eight teams in total presented choral readings [‘Rockin’ Robin (Hood)’ was written by volunteer Linda Brant and director Mike Lembke], two short films, three small ensembles and one improv team a special viewing ahead of the State Large Group Speech Contest in Waterloo this Saturday. Thirty-five students in total have the chance to receive top ratings with Iowa judges.

What’s not to like about speech season? There’s drama, such as in the short film ‘Hamlet’ directed by Jacob Hallett and ‘Too Late’ by Ryan Wolfe, together starring thirteen student actors; cutthroat, seemingly unreasonable requests from a director with Hannah Menken, Amy Wolfe and Olivia Wolfe in ‘The Role of Della’; and a group improv session that turns into an overwhelming test with Hunter Cother, McKenzie White and Montana Schmidt.

Theater kids can be a tough audience to herd, as reluctant pageant director Jenna Grober learns –– a lesson every church volunteer present on Thursday understood, laughing along with the shenanigans. For these stars, the stage is second nature –– having Gladys Herdman announce their arrival with a flash of jazz hands is just a bonus this year.