Nancy Lundula - solo musical theater - "Astonishing"
Ethan Hargens - expository address - "Percussion 101"
Nick Bakeberg - storytelling - "Three Billy Goats Gruff"
Maggie Wright - original oratory - "The Youngest Sibling: Experiences in Growing Up Last"
Megan Brennan - prose - "Junie B. Jones and the Mushy Gushy Valentime"
Megan Brennan - solo musical theater - "Somewhere That's Green"
Aiden Pratt - poetry - "Cinderella"
Aiden Pratt - solo musical theater - "So Anyway"
Elizabeth Cobian - original oratory - "The Engineering Mindset We All Need"
Ethan Hargens - spontaneous speaking
Cory Johnson - solo improv
Cory Johnson - after dinner speaking - "Musicaholics Anonymous"
Sarah Tilberg - solo improv
Sarah Tilberg - after dinner speaking - "JUDGES"
Harper Hadrava - prose - "How I Imagined My Teachers Conversed About Me When I Was Thirteen"
Candice Kneip - prose - "The Day the Crayons Quit"
Alexis Rodgers - poetry - "Somewhere Along the Way"
Marie McIntyre - storytelling - "How Firefly Got His Light"
Micah Broers - acting - "I'll Be With You Shortly"
Micah Broers - expository address - "Somatic Hyperfixation: When the Body Won't Let Go"
Cal Ruden - reviewing - "The Village"
Sam Wacker - spontaneous speaking
Joseph Lynn - spontaneous speaking
Parker Keunen - solo musical theater - "In Summer"
Damian Gonzalez - prose - "Fairly Stupid Tales"
Damian Gonzalez - lit program - "Growing Up"
Individual speech, or IE speech (individual events), is exactly what it sounds like! Students perform and compete individually instead of with a group. They can choose from 14 different categories - anything from serious acting to comedic reading. Some categories are memorized while some may use a script. Some are original pieces written by the student, while others are taken from other sources. Each year, students may compete in up to two unique categories.
Just like with large group speech, students rehearse for a number of weeks before contest season begins. Students then compete at district contest in front of one judge per category. If they receive a division one rating, they then move on to the state contest where 3 judges critique them. Finally, a very small percentage of students who receive a high enough state contest rating may be selected to be honored at the IE All-State Festival.
IE rehearsals begin: January
IE district contest: end of February
IE state contest: mid-March
IE All-State Festival: end of March
Here are the 14 IE categories:
Acting: memorize an acting selection, humorous or serious (or both). 8 minutes maximum.
After Dinner Speaking: write and memorize or read a humorous speech as if you were speaking to a special audience (for example, high school freshmen or 'short people of America'). 5 minutes maximum.
Expository Address: write and memorize an informative speech that uses visual aids. 6 minutes maximum.
Improvisational Acting: draw 2 characters and 1 situation; 3 minute prep time. 5 minute performance time.
Literary Program: read prose and poetry with a common theme. 8 minutes maximum.
Solo Musical Theater: sing a song from a musical while acting. 5 minutes maximum.
Original Oratory: write and memorize your own persuasive speech. 8 minutes maximum.
Poetry: read poems with a common theme. 6 minutes maximum.
Prose: read prose with a common theme. 6 minutes maximum.
Public Address: memorize someone else's speech. 8 minutes maximum.
Radio News Announcing: cut and read news stories. 30 minutes prep time. 5 minutes performance time.
Reviewing: write and memorize a review of a movie or a book (or both). 8 minutes maximum.
Spontaneous Speaking: draw 3 current events; choose 1 to discuss; 3 minute prep time; 5 minutes performance time.
Storytelling: tell a memorized story while sitting on a stool. 5 minutes maximum.