Ihsa state results

[jayman]

Lets use this space right here for results and opinions from the State Tournament. Few ground rules for this thread:

1. Be Respectful- If you didn't like something, that's your perrogative. However, DO NOT BASH PEOPLE, SCHOOLS, PERFORMANCES.

2. Feel free to state your opinions on how you viewed pieces. Do so in a manner that will lend itself to a positive discussion

3. NO PERSONAL ATTACKS- if you've got a bone to pick with someone, do it face to face.

4. Too many times people get ripped for analyzing performances. If you do not want to read someone's analysis- then stay off this thread.

If you don't agree with the ground rules, please post in a different thread. I don't want it to spin out of control with personal attacks etc..
Thanks
Congrats to all of the Finalists, Champions etc... Now, lets hear what people thought (obviously, this will happen after awards)

[jayman]

First off- No tournament should be delayed this much because of a computer program. We use to do this just fine without speechwire. Goodness!

DDA- Dog Sees God.. Definitely a wonderful performance. Congrats to them. I probably would have flipped 2nd and 3rd.

DI- Trey's performance was very nice, but I would have preferred to see Tierra there. In my opinion, she took more risks, had more natural and honest emotion and really connected with the audience better. Congrats to Trey though on a wonderful achievement.

HDA- ABSOLUTELY the right ones! HYSTERICAL. In my opinion one of the two funniest in the last 5-10 years. Interesting side not- I believe their coach won HDA 20 years ago in 1989. Now that's nuts

[jayman]

Anyone else shocked at how much DGN faded? I was really surprised. Congrats to DGS and Warren for their finishes.

[OboeGeekFreek]

Who is Tierra and Trey and all of these people? Is EVERYONE here from the same town, or what?

[jayman]

IHSA- Stands for Illinois High School Association. They just had their state tournament.

[jeawagne]

First off- No tournament should be delayed this much because of a computer program. We use to do this just fine without speechwire. Goodness!

There was a lot more than the tab software messed up about this tournament, but not much different than every other year. I hope that Mr. Jenkins got a nice insight into the inner-workings of the surreptitious state tab room. (Though I know that he was more likely running around making sure rooms were unlocked, etc... Well hosted, sir.)

But hey, it was a nice irony to see people walk out while the championship* team walked up to get their trophy... maybe people are finally done with it?

[peacebone]

The prose results were a bit off from my predictions.

I would've ranked it....

1. Frank Austin
2. Bob Beland
3. Tess Mody
4. Anna Binstein
5. Mike Duffy
6. Lauren Campbell
7. Lamar Hawkings

But, that was an INTENSE final. (far more diffcult than last year's state final, in my opinion) Anyone in that round could've been the state champion. So congrats to ALL competitors!

[TruRavenclaw]

Well, here's what I thought about the winners. This is just my opinion, Overall, I thought it was great, congrats to Belleville for putting together a great tournament. I loved the set btw.

DDA: I was hoping Jon and Trey would win, but Blake and Darnell were good. It took me a while to understand that they were playing Lean on Me at the piano, but this isn't American Idol... its a speech contest.

DI: I was happy that Trey won, but I also heard Tiera was just amazing.

Extemp: Jessica Petrie was a delight. It didn't sound like we were listening to an Extemp, it actually reminded me of Liz Dana's Oratory from last year. I know someone on here is from Belleville, tell her that I love her. (That's not creepy).

HDA: Hilarious. Someone said awkward homosexual situations couldn't win 3 years in a row, but it did. It actually kind of reminded me of Drake and Josh.

HI: JON SOKOLOW! Hilarious. That's all... BUDDY THE CHIPMUNK!

Impromptu: That was awkward... but good. Apparently, that's how he rolls...

Dec: Interesting, I thought Lawrie might win, but Morris was good.

OC: Hilarious, though I was secretly rooting for Travis Trew.

OO: One of two that I didn't really enjoy. I thought Annie Larsen would win that hands down. THe winner frankly, was just boring. I thought it was weird that someone would do economic illiteracy the year right after political illeteracy from Liz Dana. This sounded more like an extemp than the girl who won extemp.

PIR: Good, I can't really judge since I know it's hard to tell when it's set up on stage.

Poetry: Kevin GIffin was sweet and cute. My only gripe is that he basically used the same character he used last year in his prose in the poetry. Still, I have to admit it was done awesomely.

Prose: This is the other one I didn't really enjoy. After watching the prose final I predicted Anna Binstein or Bob Beland. I feel like the winner was good, but I don't know if it was good enough to win state.

Radio: The Radio people on my team were thrilled when Shaina won, but were disappointed that she went overtime, but still... it's radio... they don't do this in public.

SOS: I saw this final round. It was good. I don't understand how Todd got 6th and Cecil got 5th... I would have ranked them one higher. But I called that for Tiera, she just owned the room, something that Benassi, though hilarious, didn't really pull off for me.

It was good. Good job to everyone who competed. And good luck to all next year.

[Well...]

I watched the HDA final and let me tell you...that was INSANE! Absolutely incredible the talent that was in that room! It was also really interesting the wide range of of pieces that were there. I was very happy with the overall winner, but I think the ranks of everyone below that was just screwed up. If I had ranked it, it would have been:

1. Quatman/Connaghan
2. Skurka/Williamsen
3. Baker/Carey
4. Ingram/Carroll
5. Bell/Harris
6. Hosseini/Ford
7. Eisfeller/Armstrong
8. Sobule/Johnson

But, that is totally a personal opinion! I just felt like overall it was a really tough, really close round that could have gone to almost anyone!

I wish I had that whole thing on tape!!!!

[peacebone]

I honestly thought Baker/Carey should have won. Their piece was hilarious, cute, and told a story. Whereas most the other competitors in that round did not.

After Baker/Carey, I would've put Skurka/Williamsen. Their facial expressions and physical humor completely blew me away.

THEN Elk Grove.

Then Pregnancy piece.

Then Basic Training.

Then Stepford Guy.

Then Rosencratz and Guildenstern.

Then The Bag Lady.