Macy Taylor and Lex Jack re-enact the emotions of Sept. 11, 2001, at
Drama Night.

Emotions of 9/11 captured at Drama Night 
Jan. 5, 2012

At first, there was a laugh or two as the audience was in mood to be entertained by Montezuma speech and drama students doing "The 11th," a readers theatre interpretation of the events of Sept. 11, 2001.

But about halfway through the performance, the mood in the room changed. People were thinking back, to what they were doing, what they were thinking, when the World Trade Centers were brought down by terrorists.

It became somber. And very, very quiet.

Derek Bates, one of Montezuma's drama coaches, is hoping the presentation will have a strong impact on the judges at the District Large Group Contest on Jan. 21 at Grinnell High School.

"We had these kids view tapes of what went on on 9-11," Bates said, "because they're too young to really remember much of what went on."

But from their performances, it was clear they picked up very quickly on the fears that they might have felt that day, and they conveyed those to the audience.

Those planning to attend the Large Group Contest in Grinnell are encouraged to come early because performances often run ahead of schedule. The suggested donation at the door will be $3 or $4 per person.

Other important dates upcoming: State Large Group on Feb. 4 at Cedar Rapids Washington; All-State Large Group on Feb. 18 at Iowa State University.

In individual events, the District Individual Contest is Feb. 25 at Oskaloosa, the State Individual in March 10 at Clinton and the All-State Individual is March 26 at Northern Iowa.

The speech and drama awards banquet locally is March 19 in the junior high gym.

Here is who was doing what at Drama Night:

Freshman Choral Reading: "Magic Land" - Clara Johnson, Alex Brennder, Steve Kopp, Vincent Bushong, Joe Peck, Seth Fahlenkamp, Kaylene Corbin, Cheyenne Peters, Trevor Moyer, Sidney Roorda, Mikey Lyons, Luke Goodman.

Group Improv: Dayton Pringle, Cassie Corbin, Kaylee White.

Group Improv: Matt Armstrong, Niall Lyons, Zach Gibson.

Readers Threatre: "The 11th" - Alyssa Lyddon, Karah Hansen, Destiny Romberg, Bridgette Moore, Kaylin Hansen, Macy Taylor, Mariah Hirsch, Nathan Wheeler, Tiffany Heishman, Lex Jack, Cassie Corbin, Julie Audas, Colleen Johnston, Sage Comstock.

Choral Reading: "Move" - Shena Bryan, Aly James, Kendra Cranston, Natalie Wheeler, Abbi Nelson, Stephen Vavroch, Coleton Tompkins, Alexis Ferguson, Emily Long, Brynna Steele, Kaylee White, Courtney Petersen, Nathan Wheeler, Shane Lyons.

Ensemble: "The Supers" - Niall Lyons, Alexis Ferguson, Zach Gibson.

Musical Theatre: "Legally Blonde" - Natalie Wheeler, Bridgette Moore, Kendra Cranston, Morgan Sanders.

Ensemble: "Party of Three" - Macy Taylor, Alyssa Lyddon, Karah Hansen, Matt Armstrong, Stephen Vavroch.

Ensemble: "Elevator Games" - Shena Bryan, Madison Dawley, Carly Steele.

Radio News: Colleen Johnston, Becky Kopp, Lex Jack, Tiffany Heishman, Garrett Van Maanen.

Kaylin Hansen, Bridgette Moore and Colleen Johnston hear about and
ponder 9/11 developments in "The 11th".

Zach Gibson and Alexis Ferguson
listen to Niall Lyons (not shown) in
a scene from "The Supers," an
ensemble acting mini-play.

Your donations keep this site going!  It's time to join for the 2011-12 school year! To learn more about being part of the Clowns in Iowa Network, click HERE.