The LSW speech team will be hosting a speech showcase on Thursday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m. to raise money for their last two tournaments of the season, National Individual Events Tournament of Champions (NIETOC) and the National Speech and Debate Tournament. Door 10 will be open at 6 p.m., and the entrance fee is $10.
“I’m inviting everyone I can,” junior Claire Timperley said. “The showcase is for everyone to come to even if you don’t have a direct tie to someone in speech. It’s a great chance to support the team and see what we’re all about.”
The showcase will begin with Act 1 containing “classroom performances” which will be conducted similarly to a traditional speech round where multiple performers go one after another. These performances will be placed in each forum where individuals are welcome to enjoy four different styles of speeches such as Informative Speaking, Dramatic Interpretation, Poetry and much more. After Act 1, guests will be given a 15-minute intermission where complimentary drinks and snacks will be provided.
Returning from the intermission at 7:45 p.m., individuals will move to the auditorium for Act 2 which entails mainstage performances. The mainstage performers will be senior Brooklyn Bruggeman in Dramatic Interpretation, senior Maya Stevenson in Original Oratory, senior Mason Farmer in Program of Oral Interpretation and Duo Interpretation, junior Brooklyn Shoemaker in Humorous Interpretation and Duo Interpretation, and sophomores Audrey Haugen, Danielle Ibe-Ikechi, Lyra Walsh, seniors Jordyn Davis & Lillian Bittle as well as juniors Chance Ready, Ezra Erickson, senior Jack McCormick & Bruggeman in Oral Interpretation of Drama. From 6 p.m. to the start of Act 2, guests will be able to bid on the performance order for the mainstage acts. The winners will be announced at the end of Act 2 and the overall winner will leave with $200.
“The purpose of guessing the mainstage performance order is to make it a little more interactive for the audience,” speech coach Mr. Matt Heimes said. “There will be eight winners and then we will spin a wheel and then whoever that lands on will be the overall winner.”
In the past, the fundraiser was hosted annually. However, since COVID-19 in 2020, this is the first official year it has returned.
“I’m most excited about getting to perform my speech on a stage,” Timperley said. “Speech can be a lot of hard work and it’s not always fun, but getting the chance to perform and act is what makes it all worth it. It’s always worth giving things a try because you never know what you might end up loving.”
For individuals who aren’t able to attend but still would like to donate, Southwest’s Speech and Debate Association (SWSDA) accepts Venmo (@SWSDA) and/or donations here.
