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Report on the ESU Annual Conference in Seattle

National Event Recap

Report on the ESU Annual Conference in Seattle, Washington, October 26 – 29, 2013
by Michael Kakos,
ESU Central Florida Branch President

First, a rather humorous start:  When we entered the well-appointed Washington Athletic Club (our home for the conference) we were greeted by a person who asked if we were attending a conference and whether the conference was for the NRA or the ESU.  In the same hotel?!

Throughout the conference, considerable time was devoted to discussions about the resurrected website for which the HQ and delegates are and (deserve to be) proud.  We were put to work in a number of workshops and breakout sessions, which enabled us to understand better the national organization structure and programs.  We discussed a wide range of activities like development, IRS reporting, Shakespeare initiatives, Hamlet Set Free, debating techniques, etc.

If one has any doubt about the direction of the ESU, it was dispelled at this conference.  The emphasis on education was notable.  The drive for membership was emphasized.  There are 69 Branches in the United States although a few are struggling and some near default.  But headquarters has taken the initiative to attempt to resurrect them…

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ESU National Speaker Program Launches its 2013-2014 Season

National News – October 2013

The fall season of the ESU Evelyn Wrench Speaker Program kicked off in October with Oliver Everett, CVO, Librarian Emeritus of the Royal Library at Windsor Castle, visiting Branches in the South. 

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1999 Winner of ESU National Shakespeare Competition Debuts on Broadway

National News – October 2013

Matt Harrington was awarded first prize in the ESU National Shakespeare Competition by Phylicia Rashad in 1999.

Matt Harrington, winner of the English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition in 1999, is currently performing in his Broadway stage debut in highly acclaimed productions of Twelfe Night or What You Will and The Tragedie of King Richard the Third.

Matt is the only American member of the cast that includes British stars Mark Rylance, Stephen Fry and Samuel Barnett.

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High Schools Invited to Participate in the 2014 ESU National Shakespeare Competition

National Announcement – Fall 2013

We invite schools serving Grades 9-12 across the country to celebrate Shakespeare's 450th birthday this year by participating in the 2014 ESU National Shakespeare Competition.

Read the following story to learn all about exciting developments for this year's program including new curriculum materials and National prizes for teachers.

In order to participate in the program, your school must register with the closest participating English-Speaking Union Branch. A list of participating English-Speaking Union Branches will posted online in late October/early November. 

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Teachers Ready for Fall After Summer Shakespeare Set Free Institutes

National News – Summer 2013

Teachers practice performance-based teaching exercises at the 2013 Cleveland SSF Institute

More than 175 secondary school English and drama teachers are headed back to their classrooms energized and enriched with new methods for teaching Shakespeare to their students.  They learned these at the Shakespeare Set Free Institutes, two-day professional development courses offered by the English-Speaking Union and the Folger Shakespeare Library.  The program combines scholarship, performance and pedagogy with an emphasis on performance-based teaching that satisfies Common Core State Standards. 

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