News And Events

Share   Print

THE ENGLISH-SPEAKING UNION CELEBRATES SHAKESPEARE’S 450th BIRTHDAY

National News

The English-Speaking Union is kicking off an exciting series of programs in honor of William Shakespeare's 450^th birthday this month.

The highlight of the ESU's Shakespeare celebration is the 31^st English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition, which will be held at Lincoln Center Theater in New York City on May 5.  In this year-long educational program, 16,000 high school students nationwide read, analyze, perform and recite Shakespearean monologues and sonnets to develop communication skills and an appreciation of the power of language and literature.  In three progressive competition levels, students present the Bard's works in their own schools, at ESU Branch sponsored community competitions and at the National Shakespeare Competition.  Since 1983, the program has given more than 250,000 young people of all backgrounds the opportunity to bring the timeless works of Shakespeare to life and learn to express his words with understanding, feeling and clarity.  The English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition is open to the public.

Read Full Story

Share   Print

Secondary Teachers Invited to Participate in the 2014 Shakespeare Teacher Intensives: Romeo and Juliet

National Announcement – Spring 2014

Teachers get up on their feet to learn how to teach Shakespeare.

The English-Speaking Union invites middle and high school educators across the country to celebrate Shakespeare's 450th birthday this year by participating in the 2014 Shakespeare Teacher Intensives:  Romeo and Juliet.  This partnership program with the world-renowned Folger Shakespeare Library allows teachers to learn the Folger's easily-adapted methods and receive materials designed to engage their students in the Bard's works.  

Read Full Story

Share   Print

Christopher Broadwell Appointed Executive Director

National Announcement – March 1, 2014

Christopher Broadwell has been appointed Executive Director of The English-Speaking Union of the United States effective March 1, 2014.  Mr. Broadwell, who has served as Deputy Director for the past seven years, brings to his new post wide-ranging experience in administration, development, marketing, special events, public relations and promotion.

Read Full Story

Share   Print

Teachers Tackle Shakespeare's Twelfth Night at ESU Workshop

National News

Collaborating with Shakespeare's Globe and the Folger Shakespeare Library, the ESU drew 32 middle and high school teachers from across the country to see the acclaimed Shakespeare's Globe production of Twelfth Night, currently on Broadway starring Mark Rylance and Stephen Fry.  Following the Sunday evening performance, the teachers had a private "talk back" with cast members including Matt Harrington, winner of the 1999 ESU National Shakespeare Competition who is the only American in the cast. The participating teachers were invited from among alumnae of the ESU's Shakespeare Set Free Institutes and British University Summer School programs.

Read Full Story

Share   Print

2014 Luard Morse Scholarship Awarded

National News

Rami Blair, a French major at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, has been named as the recipient of the ESU Luard Morse Scholarship.  The scholarship provides $25,0000 towards a semester of study at an English University during the 2014-2015 academic year.

 "The Luard Morse Scholarship committee is excited about our selection of Rami Blair as the 2014-2015 ESU Luard Morse Scholar.  Rami and the three other finalists represent the highest caliber of liberal arts student leaders that our nation has to offer.  The committee wishes all of the finalists the very best in their future endeavors and is pleased to have Rami join the family of Luard Morse scholars," stated Darrell Hill, member of the ESU Luard Morse Scholarship Committee and ESU National Board.

Read Full Story