Indiana 2012-2013

**TigerCaptain95** · 03-06-2013, 09:26 PM

Headed into Hoosier Heartland and Hoosier Crossroads districts, anyone else a little nervous that Speedway may not be big enough to hold everybody? (I love the Speedway team, but it is a small building) Predictions for the tournaments?

**cameronman** · 03-09-2013, 08:57 PM

NW Duo Finals. Let me preface by saying piece selection was a constant disappointing trend.
(in order of performance)

1. "The Amish Project" - Gracie Gilbertson and Kalee Lowry, Plymouth High School

I competed against this piece in DI back in my senior year, and I have to tell you, this was one of those repeats that brought so much new life into it. The wife's voice was something that drew me out of it, but I could certainly appreciate the emotions attempted. They constantly came back to the line "A man enters an Amish schoolhouse and opens fire," and I just thought it was so powerful. These are some younger girl's on the Plymouth team, and I look forward to what they will bring in the future. Due only to the voices sometimes faltering, I can see why this ended in 5th place. If it were an easier district, it could have placed really well.

2. "The Crayon Map" - Judie Muhrez and Harry Goldenberg, Munster High School.

These kids are the sweetest. Honestly though, Judie really shined in this duo. I'm shocked her HI didn't make it higher than 4th, but I think it's good they made it to nationals. I would encourage the coaches to get them a new piece, but ****, they know what they're doing to win as well as the do. Harry's dramatic acting drew me out of it, while Judie kept pulling me in. If she goes HI/DI anytime soon, people better watch out. They were my 1, but 2nd is nothing to couch at.

3. "Anna and August" - Clayton Lenig and Jillian Smith, Plymouth High School

A sweet and cute piece. A few good laughs in it, and the interpers did a fine job. They ended up 6th, and that's too bad. Nothing really to complain about. Except for the, ya know, having seen it a ton.

4. "James and the Giant Peach" - Bess Fary and Colleen Kiefer, Munster High School

Gahhh I've basically saw this exact piece my senior year. honestly, same tech, same little shark hand dance. However, it was highly reminiscent of Bouchareb/Besser's Charlotte's Web. Same sort of animal characters. And they used the same song. I mean, they were great at what they were doing, but I wish I could have seen more.

5. "The Unknown Part of the Ocean" - April Bowen and Shelby Pratt, Plymouth High School

Really good. Once again, a terribly overdone piece, but April and Shelby are such good performers. I was drawn in the entire time, and there wasn't a moment that the characters faltered. Proud of those girls.

6. "?The History of Man?" - Nick Siano and Josh Shalen, Munster High School

They were good. I mean, I saw the exact same performance 2 years ago when they won state, but that's whatever. They were good. I didn't laugh at all, I just don't care for the super high energy style the 2 of them have, but they are very technical and diverse. They ended up 3rd, and I think everyone was a little shocked. These guys are legit performers and it's sad they didn't get their ticket to Alabama.

Overall

Please take my words with a grain of salt. I wasn't an actual judge, so what I think affected nothing. I just think that the coaches that have these insanely talented and wonderful kids should pick fresh and new pieces. I have seen every one of the pieces in this round multiple times, and even multiple time from the same team. They are just so good, and I think they could be so much better if they created some fresh stuff (like they do in HI, cause all 4 of them were so good and I had never seen them before). The was rooting for the kids I liked personally, of course, but I have faith in the talent of the people that are being sent. Sorry if my views offend, they just come from someone who might enjoy coaching someday (also, I understand how insanely hard it would be to pick 60 pieces a year for a team like Munster. I could hardly find my own!)

Actual results
1. James and the Giant Peach
2. The Crayon Map
3. The History of Man
4. The Unknown Part of the Ocean
5. The Amish Project
6. Anna and August

**cameronman** · 03-11-2013, 11:47 AM

Originally Posted by cameronman

NW Duo Finals. Let me preface by saying piece selection was a constant disappointing trend.
(in order of performance)

1. "The Amish Project" - Gracie Gilbertson and Kalee Lowry, Plymouth High School

I competed against this piece in DI back in my senior year, and I have to tell you, this was one of those repeats that brought so much new life into it. The wife's voice was something that drew me out of it, but I could certainly appreciate the emotions attempted. They constantly came back to the line "A man enters an Amish schoolhouse and opens fire," and I just thought it was so powerful. These are some younger girl's on the Plymouth team, and I look forward to what they will bring in the future. Due only to the voices sometimes faltering, I can see why this ended in 5th place. If it were an easier district, it could have placed really well.

2. "The Crayon Map" - Judie Muhrez and Harry Goldenberg, Munster High School.

These kids are the sweetest. Honestly though, Judie really shined in this duo. I'm shocked her HI didn't make it higher than 4th, but I think it's good they made it to nationals. I would encourage the coaches to get them a new piece, but ****, they know what they're doing to win as well as the do. Harry's dramatic acting drew me out of it, while Judie kept pulling me in. If she goes HI/DI anytime soon, people better watch out. They were my 1, but 2nd is nothing to couch at.

3. "Anna and August" - Clayton Lenig and Jillian Smith, Plymouth High School

A sweet and cute piece. A few good laughs in it, and the interpers did a fine job. They ended up 6th, and that's too bad. Nothing really to complain about. Except for the, ya know, having seen it a ton.

4. "James and the Giant Peach" - Bess Fary and Colleen Kiefer, Munster High School

Gahhh I've basically saw this exact piece my senior year. honestly, same tech, same little shark hand dance. However, it was highly reminiscent of Bouchareb/Besser's Charlotte's Web. Same sort of animal characters. And they used the same song. I mean, they were great at what they were doing, but I wish I could have seen more.

5. "The Unknown Part of the Ocean" - April Bowen and Shelby Pratt, Plymouth High School

Really good. Once again, a terribly overdone piece, but April and Shelby are such good performers. I was drawn in the entire time, and there wasn't a moment that the characters faltered. Proud of those girls.

6. "?The History of Man?" - Nick Siano and Josh Shalen, Munster High School

They were good. I mean, I saw the exact same performance 2 years ago when they won state, but that's whatever. They were good. I didn't laugh at all, I just don't care for the super high energy style the 2 of them have, but they are very technical and diverse. They ended up 3rd, and I think everyone was a little shocked. These guys are legit performers and it's sad they didn't get their ticket to Alabama.

Overall

Please take my words with a grain of salt. I wasn't an actual judge, so what I think affected nothing. I just think that the coaches that have these insanely talented and wonderful kids should pick fresh and new pieces. I have seen every one of the pieces in this round multiple times, and even multiple time from the same team. They are just so good, and I think they could be so much better if they created some fresh stuff (like they do in HI, cause all 4 of them were so good and I had never seen them before). The was rooting for the kids I liked personally, of course, but I have faith in the talent of the people that are being sent. Sorry if my views offend, they just come from someone who might enjoy coaching someday (also, I understand how insanely hard it would be to pick 60 pieces a year for a team like Munster. I could hardly find my own!)

Actual results
1. James and the Giant Peach
2. The Crayon Map
3. The History of Man
4. The Unknown Part of the Ocean
5. The Amish Project
6. Anna and August

I'm really sorry if this offended anyone. Honestly, those kids are each so insanely talented, and I think they could be in national finals with a creation of their own. My post was not meant to offend, but it can be frustrating to see these shortcuts taken. These scripts win for a reason, but I know how much it affected a friend of mine when he was called out in quarterfinals at Nats for doing a piece that had already been in finals. He didn't copy it, but it was one of those that really can only be done a few ways. Once again, sorry if I said anything offensive. Everyone who qualified is insanely talented and worked so hard to get there.

**Rae** · 03-11-2013, 02:40 PM

Originally Posted by cameronman

I'm really sorry if this offended anyone. Honestly, those kids are each so insanely talented, and I think they could be in national finals with a creation of their own. My post was not meant to offend, but it can be frustrating to see these shortcuts taken. These scripts win for a reason, but I know how much it affected a friend of mine when he was called out in quarterfinals at Nats for doing a piece that had already been in finals. He didn't copy it, but it was one of those that really can only be done a few ways. Once again, sorry if I said anything offensive. Everyone who qualified is insanely talented and worked so hard to get there.

cameronman, I sat in this final round as well and had most of the same notes as you. I had actually heard about some of the similarities between pieces this year and in previous years prior to watching the final, so it is not just you that has noted it. While I hope and assume that it is not intentional, I don't think competitors should remark the comment as offensive. If anything, it will make them aware of it, and they might change their blocking/style accordingly to improve their chances for success come state and nationals to avoid future competitors and judges thinking that their interpretation is dishonest. I whole-heartedly agree with your critiques, and many of them apply to my own former teammates, because they are comments that I imagine line up with what many judges were thinking. Thank you for your analysis, as I'm sure it will prove very helpful in the growth of these speakers.

**extemplover95** · 03-11-2013, 07:52 PM

I'm so glad to see that Indiana FOL is alive again! Anyone have any OO, IX, DX, or Dec predictions? The interp predictions have been heavy as always but where does everyone stand on those events? It's almost state time so I'm curious to hear everyone's thoughts!

**TigerCaptain95** · 03-18-2013, 08:52 PM

In my opinion, the top 6 in humor in no particular order. I wish I could offer more insight, but HI is all I really get to see anymore.

Christian Fary
Layke Fowler
Ben Hynds
Michael Whiteside
Dustin Meeks
Casey Donovan