It was just weeks ago that Mr. Dennis Brumirski, coach of Mount Carmel’s Group Interpretation team, was celebrating sophomore Justin Fekete’s achievement of advancing to the state finals in Peoria during Mount Carmel’s first year of speech competition.  Now, Brumirski will lead Mount Carmel’s first group interpretation team to the state finals at University of Illinois-Springfield, after finishing third in the sectionals at Reavis High School .

Mr. Brumirski explained that group interpretation works just like an IHSA sport: “We have to qualify for the state tournament through sectionals. We don’t automatically qualify.”  But in its first year of completion, not only did the team accomplish that goal, but four seniors – Mark Buoscio, Alec Eldorado, Will Maloney, and Zac Mirabelli – were singled out for outstanding performances.

MC didn’t have to be perfect to advance to the state tournament, but did need to place in the top three of their sectional, meeting the judges’ expectations in three categories: ensemble/group work, story development though characters and narrators, and focus/blocking.

In group interpretation, the cast works to wow the judges, not by costumes or props, but by their teamwork and execution. The whole cast wears the same uniform of a red shirt, khakis, and Converse shoes, performs without using props of any sort, and never leaves the stage. When a member of the team is not in a scene, he has to be kneeling behind the stage.

The stage itself is unique, being made up of nine individual segments of different sizes. When put together, the individual segments create a stage with several different platforms, ranging from a half foot to four feet high.

Group interpretation includes a choral element. According to senior Will Maloney, this means “Lines are often times said by the cast at the same time; overall it takes more discipline from everyone.” Maloney went on to say, “We are looking for perfection.”

The Caravan is facing a difficult challenge as it prepares for State, but there is no shortage of laughs during practice, a fact that may win over the judges.  As Brumirski notes, “We have some very funny kids on our cast, and they play roles that really fit their personality.”

The cast has crafted a play about zombies, aliens, spaceships, and explosions. According to freshman Patrick McKay, “We are taking an older movie and making it into a comedy.”

This comedy, however, includes a sense of randomness to senior Alec Eldorado. “You never know what is going to happen in group interpretation.”  But he adds,  “I like that.  It keeps it interesting.”

Brumirski is very experienced in group interpretation, having participated in 15 competitions, 12 as a teacher and 3 as a student. As a result, he is confident that he knows what it takes to be successful. “They are not objective tasks, such as how fast you can run in a sport. The performance has certain subjective tasks to be executed.”

In addition to having an experienced coach, Mount Carmel’s team had the advantage of experience in its competition against 11 other teams at the Reavis sectional.  In addition to the four seniors,  others on the team include sophomore Gabe Nunley and freshmen Patrick McKay, Reggie Williams, and Josh Villegas.

Eldorado, a veteran of several Mount Carmel plays, was attracted to the Group Interpretation team by the fact it is more of a team activity. “Roles go hand in hand with each other; several people have very important roles in the play. ”

Mirabelli’s decision to join the Group Interpretation team was more spontaneous. “I heard about it in the announcements during Studium, and I told my self that if I see Mr. Brumirski by the end of the day I’ll talk to him about joining”

Regardless of their prior experience, the cast seems unanimous in its appreciation of their coach, and his 100% commitment to Mount Carmel Group Interpretation.   Brumirski, in turn, is confident that Group Interpretation will continue to grow in the future.