The ESU National Shakespeare Competition is a prestigious national program where high school students in grades 9 to 12 memorize, interpret, and perform Shakespeare's monologues and sonnets across three progressive levels of competition. Students compete first at their schools, then in community competitions sponsored by local ESU branches, with top performers advancing to the national level in New York City. Semi-finalists are invited to an educational weekend in New York City that includes acting workshops with Broadway professionals and other exclusive cultural experiences. It is one of the most unique and rewarding opportunities available to high school students who want to develop their public speaking, critical thinking, and performance skills.
Portraying characters convincingly through voice, movement, and emotion on stage or screen.
Delivering ideas clearly and confidently in front of an audience.
Evaluating information carefully before drawing a conclusion or making a decision.
Crafting original stories, poems, or scripts that express ideas and imagination.
Writing to convince a reader of a position using evidence and logic.
Students memorize and perform Shakespearean monologues and sonnets before judges and audiences.
Program emphasizes close reading, literary analysis, and engaging students with classic texts across curricula.
Students develop critical thinking and persuasive communication skills through analyzing and interpreting complex language.
Competition deepens appreciation for literature and develops creative interpretation of language and themes.
Community Experiences
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