Time to get serious!

Ok, between the last two meetings I have seen you all and we've looked at scores, the video and talked about the small improvements that you need to do well at state. A few highlights:

1. You need to be obvious. Always include a line setting up and making obvious important items you are scored on, such as value judgement, stock character and facts.

2. Use invisible props all the time to enhance your character. Little things make the skit so much more interesting.

3. Facts. Ok. You need to know them. The two weakest ones in my opinion are the landline telephone and the VHS. I looked online and wikipedia has facts and information on both. Information can include how the technology has advanced, because both of those things are older. So, all of you need to LEARN the fact for these two (for now) backwards and forwards. Print your own page and begin your own packet. Know these two by Thursday. Bring your packets, booklets or whatever else you have as well.

4. The last time I looked you were one of 17 teams (16 last year). You will have to earn your spot to globals, but YOU CAN DO IT. Worthwhile things are hard and take effort.

You have the chemistry. You have the comedy. You have the creativity. Put in your BEST effort on these other areas and you will make the judges cry (again!).

See you all Thursday.

Monday meeting. Please come prepared.

Just a little over a week left and if you were here Monday you got the schedule and know 1) there is no meeting this Thursday due to finals and 2) we are definitely going to State.

For this coming Monday I need you to do some homework. 4 of you will have to do 2 papers and 2 of you 1 paper on the threatened things. Some are easier than others. Here is how I would like them split:

1. Landline telephone

2. VHS tape

3. Basking shark and Great Barrier Reef

4. Giant Panda and Pitcher Plant

5. Gopher tortoise and Yiddish

6. California Condor and Glaciers

I tried to pair up the easier ones with something harder and the hardest ones by themselves. This should be pretty easy- a matter of copying down what's in your books. Yiddish should include the words you have used or want to use. Some may need more research to make it clear. Each topic should have it's own page. Please make 7 copies total so you can share them with the group.

Please do your best. You only really have to win one tournament to go on. This means your best work (including for regionals).

A few other things so I don't forget....

When doing your skit be OBVIOUS. For example, setting the skit in the area where the gopher tortoise lives is good, making it clear that the gopher tortoise lives in this state/area is better. Even though you all know that the audience doesn't.

Also, the Friday night before regionals if you know someone who would like to attend but cannot come Saturday let me know and maybe they can watch the skit at the house. ( I promise to back the chairs up a little so it is not so itimidating.

Please bring $15 for the shirt (cash or check made out to Mary Haver)

See you Monday. Don't think vertical. Think Globals!