Colton Schubert and Cody Cokely are the defending champs in state forensics.
This might not be new news, but for faculty come Monday, it will be just as much funny as true.
The duo took home the state crown in improvised duet acting at the State Speech and Drama Championships in May. What that means is the two know how to think on their feet.
“We don’t really do any kind of rehearsing,” said Cokely. “We feel like we do best when we are loose and just in the moment.”
The two have chemistry which is undeniable. Spending 10 minutes with them proves that as the two continually feed off of each other, practically finishing each other’s sentences.
“I’ve known Colton since we were in the sixth grade,” Cokely said. “We used to have two classes back-to-back together and I would always get in trouble for Colton talking in class and stuff like that.”
The two will take their act to the small stage as Brian Pekarek, USD 257 superintendent of schools, asked the two to perform during the opening faculty and staff meeting to help provide some lightness to an otherwise more serious venue.
“They’re great kids who have a lot of energy,” Pekarek said. “Even if they aren’t a big hit, you have to give them credit for putting themselves out there.”
The format for their comical antics will revolve around a skit called, “Who’s In the Hat?,” a setup that in the style of the popular television show, “Whose Line Is It, Anyway?” This edition will take aim, albeit in a family-friendly tone, at members of the school district staff and teachers.
“We want to keep it clean,” Schubert said. “I mean some of our comical influences are people who can be funny without using a lot of foul language like Jim Gaffigan. Guys like George Carlin are funny, but if you can be funny without that, then what’s the point of using that kind of stuff.”
A song will also be part of the lineup as the two thought about a parody in the vein of Weird Al Yankovic, renowned for lampooning famous tunes throughout his career.
“We’re still working that one through,” Cokely said. “We feel pretty confident that we’ll do fine. A huge part of what we do has to do with confidence. If you have it then you are fine and we’re going to do well.”
Curtain, so to speak, goes up on the act at 8:30 a.m. Monday at Iola High School.
