Well, I certainly hope a good time was had by all in Dayton for WGI's guard version of Championships. I know I enjoyed my stay and even got some rest at UDArena! //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Okay, if a design of a show doesn't grab my interest in the first 30 seconds, I can tell that it's probably gonna be a "nice" show. And I'm being kind with my 30 second rule, I usually give shows less time. Realizing that this is hardly the fault of the performers, since they only do what they are told to do, I tend to be a little more critical of the design of shows. The performers usually deliver, but now I feel it's time that the designers catch up to the performers and give them a product worth their talent. Especially since the scoring system of WGI awards the designers at least 50% of their guards score. So, it's not actually always "about the kids". ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Even though the SW Division of WGI's Nationals competition were a little on the slow side, there were a few pretty moments. Maybe entirely too many "pretty" moments. There were some inspired performances, but most lacked a lot of excitement. Unfortunately the other divisions were about the same. I just expect more from the self proclaimed "world" classes. Tate H.S. finally had a decently designed show for it's radiant performers. Cypress Creek H.S. had one of the best floors, but even with a well designed program, it still didn't offer enough beauty to the setting. Plymouth-Canton H.S. had good characterzation from the performers with it's design. Beyer H.S. made me feel as if at a recital with it's interpretation of Bartok. Stoneman Douglas H.S.was at it's usual in your face tricks and attitude with a well put together show, but I just didn't get a sense of excitement. Northview H.S. took the title of it's show to the extreme by using a ripple effect during the majority of it's show. Which can be a smart thing for designers who can't fill up their time limit other ways. Ripple this way, ripple that way. Ripple, ripple, ripple! Another either smart or insecure thing to do is have a busy floor. I consider busy floors a designers way to camouflage the performers work. Designers should have more faith in the talent of the performers and the training they offer them, instead of trying to conceal the performers efforts. Now with that being said, Flanagan H.S. had the performers and the design, except for one of the worst floors of the weekend. I understand it's about the judges, but think of what the audiences gets to see, or would like to see. We do out number the judges, so it boils down to perception. Avon H.S. was a little more clean in design, obviously speaking. Once again, having the performers to work with but the design lacked in the WOW factor. It was more of a why or who design. With the best floor crew in the activity, and with obvious reason, Center Grove H.S. performed like gold. Nothing gold may not stay, but in your heart you'll cherish moments of gold like this. Okay, now within the other classifications, once again the performers do their job given in their job descriptions, but this is supposed to be a BIG event! For the end of a season event, I felt like someone was telling me to wait for next year and not in a good way. There were some "retro shows", some "are you seeing what I'm seeing" shows, some "are you feeling what I'm feeling" shows, and "can anyone see the bigger picture here" shows. Is it a requirement that guards from Florida must have the most distracting floors of them all? "I'm just saying"! Tarpon Springs H.S. is known for having "bad" floors, and yet again the designers lived up to their reputation. West Johnston H.S. preached anti-violence while using weapons. Cascades intertwined themselves into a first place position with WGI. Cypress Creek H.S. A Guard was wide awake and ready to perform to Tuck and Patti. LaPorte H.S. and Santaluces H.S. knew that if walls could talk that noone would be surprised what they had to say, especially from the walls at the Marriott. Mechanicsburg H.S. designed a show saluting a club in Boston called Paradise, including fairies. Marian Catholic H.S. asked if they could change the world, and I ask them if they WILL change the world. You can, but will you. If your generation is the generation of change, then learn that actions speak louder than concepts. Juxtaposition brought some energy to their performance, along with a real twirler. Ars Nova showed up in a landslide. The Cast brought skilled elegance to the floor. Alter Ego layed footprints of what would have been gorgeous without narration, BUT I understand the need for it. Of all of them, few jumped out at me as if to say "WAKE UP and WATCH". Trumbull H.S. was just one of the many to reference time, which I was beginning to feel that time was being wasted after hearing the voice overs. Then they chimed in with the music and it began to click for me. In a Clovis West kind of way, Odessa H.S. grabbed me in the first few seconds and kept me through all the panels. There was no gibberish about The Mark of NSA. This cool show was one of the sane moments of the weekend for me. With time in a bottle, turning it back, and in warp drive The Ventures had it and me on their side. It may not be easy being green, but Centerville H.S, proved it can be fun and full of character. Rancho Bernardo H.S has made me smile in the past and this year is no exception. With a subtle design and a piano musical background there was so much to watch that not one viewing will do. If only points were given for entertainment, best floor, and best props,...OOPS, that's what I do. Shenendehowa H.S. was full of charm and what was behind the curtain were fabulous performers. Two of my three goosebump shows were from Interplay and West Orange H.S., Interplay pulled off given me one of the extremely few chills I had in Dayton during the weekend. They helped me see clearly with a well put together program of music and design. Granted, I'm not fond of narration or vocals when misused in a competitive performance arena, but in the case of West Orange H.S I don't even have to make an exception. They used the work of Dr. Maya Angelou as the strength of their performance and the power of Aaron Copland's music as a backdrop to share the talents of it's performers. Poems are works of art and by using Dr. Angelou's voice you feel the rhythym that expresses an intensely imaginative interpretation of subject matter. Now, if anything I'd suggest making the SW Division more competitive by cutting it in half. Instead of just insulting 7 for finals, let's really make it a competition and take the Top 10. Especially since there were only 23 units to begin with. Then again, that would be the "sport of the arts" person in me talking. ////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// Ya know, I wonder why they ask if the guard is ready, when obviously they are not? And why do teenage girls always squeal when someone catches a rifle toss? Aren't they supposed to catch them? //////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////// |
The B' View from My Seat |
