Brother, sister thrive performing for crowds

By FAITH MOLDAN

Bigfork Eagle

Brothers and sisters don't always get along. And although Brianna and Jacob Sefcak are a lot like average siblings, there is one thing that connects the two and brings them closer together.

Both of the Bigfork High School students — Brianna is a senior and Jacob a freshman — are members of the school's speech, debate and drama team.

"I joined my sophomore year," Brianna said. "But I only made it to one meet. I was really disappointed."

This is Jacob's first year on the team.

"I like to act and be in plays," he said. He added that his sister encouraged him to join. "She said I had to do it, but I wanted to do it myself."

The two also act with the the Bigfork Children's Theatre. Brianna started four years ago, as did Jacob.

"I don't get nervous at all. Before you do it you get some butterflies," Jacob said and his sister echoed that statement. "Our family is very outgoing and pretty musical," she said.

After Brianna's disappointing first year on the speech, debate and drama team, she came back for a successful second year as a junior. She finished among the top three in her category at the divisional meet and advanced to the semi-finals at the state competition.

"My big year was last year," she said. "It's a fun thing to do with my friends. Half the fun is riding on the bus with your teammates." Jacob added that he thought it was cool to travel and compete.

Brianna, the co-vice captain of the team, also gets to spend time with her brother during the season. The two said they talk with each other and help each other out with pointers and suggestions, but at the same time are competitive.

"It's a sibling power struggle," Jacob said. Both actors said their goals this year were to make it to state. Brianna added this year she'd like to make it to the finals.

Brianna, who provided Jacob with his costume for his humorous duo piece "Slowly I Turn," competes in the serious solo category. Jacob's duo partner is Jerry Gaiser.

"We're adding a lot to it," Jacob said of the "I Love Lucy" sketch that involves a vaudville comic and hobo. "I love making people laugh."

Brianna has seen her brother perform his piece, but Jacob has yet to see his sister's piece from "A Child Called It."

"It's about an abuse case," Brianna said. "I don't like doing it in front of my family." She performed a piece from "Flowers for Algernon" last year. "I had a hard time getting my piece down. I got notes during competition that I'm bland. The first meet it's not really your piece," Brianna said. "You get into it and you really become your piece."

The speakers work their way into their pieces with help from their coaches Charlie Appleby and Shannon Siedler.

"They're great," Brianna said. "Mr. Appleby's like our speech dad. I'm going to miss him when I graduate."

Jacob said Appleby helps him and Gaiser think of and try new and crazy ideas during practice.

"They're the best ideas. He's not afraid to tell you if you're doing bad, but he still makes you feel good," he said. "He pushes you to reach your potential," Brianna added. Jacob said he's learned a lot of speech skills already this season.

Despite some sometimes harsh critiques and early mornings, Brianna and Jacob push on.

"Our will to do it motivates us. It's a rush," he said of performing and speaking in front of large groups. "I like being in the spotlight." His sister compared it to an adrenaline rush and good, natural high. "You're all hyped up afterward," Jacob said.

Both admitted to succumbing to procrastination when it comes to practicing, but they have managed to do well with the time they have put in. Jacob and Gaiser placed second at the Bigfork Invitational.

"We usually stink it up the first and second round, but do pretty good in the finals. We're pretty consistent," he said.

Jacob said he plans on sticking with specch, debate and drama and acting with the children's theatre throughout high school while pursuing an athletic endeavor or two.

"It takes more than people think," he said of preparing for and putting on a musical or play. "It takes a lot of endurance and devotion. It's musical number after musical number."

Brianna, a former softball player and member of the track and field team, plans on going to college after she graduates this spring.

"I don't know what career I'm going to pursue," she said. "I like learning new things."

In the next breath she stated that she would miss all of the activities she's involved in at BHS, and asked her brother if he'd miss her.

"No," he said mischeviously then added, "Of course I will." Just like a brother.