News And Events

2023 National Shakespeare Competition Winners Announced


On April 24, 2023, our 40th Anniversary National Shakespeare Competition was held in-person at Lincoln Center in New York City. Forty-one semi-finalists came from all over the country, along with parents, branch coordinators, and supporters. Thank you to everyone who made our first in-person National Shakespeare Competition since 2019 a great success! We are so proud of everyone who performed.

With her performances of Sonnet 14 and Lady Macbeth in Macbeth, Elena Hollenbeak of the ESU Hawaii Branch won the English-Speaking Union's 40th Annual National Shakespeare Competition. She is a student of Lyn Ackerman at St. Andrews School – The Priory. As the first-place winner, Elena will attend the British American Drama Academy Program this summer in London. Lyn Ackerman will receive the $1,000 ESU Teacher Recognition award.

Casey Kerr of the ESU Central Florida Branch took second place with her performances of Bottom in A Midsummer Night's Dream and Sonnet 81. As the second-place winner, Casey will be attending the American Shakespeare Center Theatre Camp in Staunton, Virginia.

Nicole Beverly Chien of the ESU New York City Branch took Third-Place for their rendition of Prince Hal in Henry IV and Sonnet 130. Nicole will take home a cash prize of $1,000.

The ESU provided the semi-finalists with a weekend of educational and cultural activities in New York City, including an acting workshop at the English-Speaking Union National Headquarters in mid-town, a double-decker bus tour of New York City and a performance of The Play That Goes Wrong on Broadway. Perhaps best of all for these teenagers was the opportunity to spend a weekend in New York City with other students from across the country who share a love of Shakespeare. 

The English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition is a school-based program designed to help students develop their speaking and critical thinking skills and their appreciation of literature as they explore the beauty of the language and timeless themes in Shakespeare's works. In three progressive competition levels, students memorize, interpret, and perform monologues and sonnets in their own schools, at ESU Branch-sponsored community competitions and at the English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition. 

The National Shakespeare Competition is only one of the many educational programs and initiatives of the English-Speaking Union that over the years have changed the life trajectories of so many people – students, teachers, English language learners, new immigrants, and of course our ESU members. Founded in 1920, the ESU is a nonprofit, nonpolitical organization that promotes English as a shared language to foster global understanding and good will by providing educational and cultural opportunities. For additional information about the English-Speaking Union, please visit www.esuus.org. For details about the ESU Kansas City Branch or to become a member, please visit www.esuus.org/kansascity.

 

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Kipling's Kim: The Great Game and Real Spies with David Richards

Next ESU Happy Hour

Kipling's Kim: The Great Game and Real Spies with David Richards

Join ESU's Next Happy Hour Hosted by
ESU's Greenwich Branch

Save the Date:
Wednesday, April, 26, 2023 at 3:00 PM CT

Rudyard Kipling's novel Kim (1901) introduced the reading public to the romance of the international spy, a story of the Great Game, the contest between Great Britain and Russia for the control of the Indian subcontinent. But was the spy network real, or made up, and what impact did the story have on actual spies, such as "Kim" Philby, CIA Director Allen Dulles, and Theodore Roosevelt's grandson, "Kim" Roosevelt? And how did its themes influence literary successors like John Buchan, Ian Fleming, and Le Carré? The long shadow of this story of this Anglo-Irish-Indian orphan falls far forward into international and literary history. Save the date: April 26 at 3:00 pm CT.

Register Here

About David Richards

David Alan Richards has degrees in history from Yale College and Cambridge University, where he was a Keasbey Scholar, lives in Old Greenwich, Connecticut, and before his retirement practiced real estate law in New York City. He is the author of seven books, including two on the great English poet and novelist he will discuss today—Rudyard Kipling: The Books I Leave Behind, the catalogue of the 2007 exhibition of his Kipling collection, the world's largest, in Yale's Beinecke Rare Book and Manuscript Library, and Rudyard Kipling: A Bibliographypublished by the British Library in 2010. His next book is I Give These Books: The History of Yale University Library, 1656-2022appearing this spring from Oak Knoll Press. He is presently serving as the President of the Kipling Society, the first non-Briton to serve in that position.

 

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WorldQuest 2023

If you love trivia contests, this event is for you! The International Relations Council is hosting WORLDQUEST 2023 again this year and all ESU members and Friends of ESU are invited to attend.

Teams of eight representing area businesses, universities, nonprofit organizations, community groups, ambitious students, and globetrotters put their global knowledge to the test. There will be six rounds of ten questions covering topics like global affairs, geography, world languages and cultures, history, and more in this fun and interactive competition. The winning team takes home the traveling trophy, while second-place and third-place teams win valuable prizes.

Last year ESU sponsored a table of eight and we would like to sponsor a table of eight again this year, perhaps two ESU tables if enough interest.

The program includes a buffet-style meal featuring cilantro grilled chicken breast, grilled teriyaki salmon, Asian slaw, garlic lemon ginger broccoli, sticky rice, vegetarian lo mein, and fortune cookies. Coffee, hot tea, beer, wine, and dessert will also be served.

When: Wednesday, April 26, 2023, 6:00 to 9:00 pm

Where: Pierson Auditorium, 5000 Holmes Rd., on UMKC Campus. Once you arrive at the auditorium, there will be a table to purchase your ticket.

Tickets: $60 per person. Cash, check, or credit card accepted at the door on arrival.

Parking: Best covered parking is on levels 5 and 6 of the Cherry Street Garage, 5005 Oak St., a short walk to Pierson Auditorium.

Please RSVP to Jeff Schnabel if you can attend. (816) 878-1239 or jschnabelkc@gmail.com.

 

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Watch the ESU 40th National Shakespeare

Watch the 40th 
National Shakespeare Competition Finals

Broadcast Live from Lincoln Center

Monday, April 24, 2023, 3:00 PM CT

Watch the competition finals live free of charge via Zoom

Please register by Sunday, April 23

Let's spread the word to family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

Register to Attend
 Monday, April 24, 2023,
3:00 PM CT via Zoom
Register Here
 

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The Secret Garden, the Musical ESU Group Night

Join Us for a Special ESU Group Night

ESU members and Friends of ESU are invited to attend an ESU Group Night to watch the live musical production of The Secret Garden on Wednesday, April 19 at 7:30 pm. Music Theatre Heritage is located at Crown Center, 3rd level. Parking will be validated. We have a special group discount ticket price of $25 per person for the April 19 performance only at 7:30 pm. To purchase discount tickets online, click here and enter Promo Code: BookClub (no space, capital B and C). After the performance on April 19, we will have a Meet & Greet with the cast and artistic director. 

The Secret Garden premiered on Broadway in 1991 and ran for 709 performances. It was the first musical ever to appear on Broadway featuring a book, music, and lyrics written by all women. It was nominated for six TONY Awards and won a TONY for Best Book of a Musical. 

The Secret Garden is a compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal. It's a mesmerizing story of faith, family, and the power of dreams, with a glorious score and haunting melodies. For over a century, children, young adults, and adults of all ages have been touched by this masterpiece novel written by Francis Hodgson Burnett in 1911. A Kansas City professional premiere. This is a terrific production and we hope to see you at ESU's Group Night on April 19.

 

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The English-Speaking Union

Kansas City Branch

Kansas City Branch Landmark Photo