News And Events

Winners Announced for 2021 National Shakespeare Competition

Adapting to the ever-changing circumstances brought on by the global pandemic, the English-Speaking Union hosted the 38th annual National Shakespeare Competition virtually for the second time ever. We are proud to announce the winners of the year's competition held on April 26, 2021.

 

Delilah Delgado of the ESU San Diego Branch won 1st Place with her quick witted and thorough renditions of Phoebe from As Your Like It, and Sonnet 62. Her sponsoring teacher, Samantha Howard of the Bishop's School, will receive the $1000 Teacher Recognition Award. This is the second such award recipient since the award's founding last year.

Anna Sheehan of the ESU Boston Branch took 2nd Place. Her sponsoring teacher, Barbara Whitlock of Montrose School, will receive the $500 Teacher Recognition Award. 

Samuel Christian of the ESU Los Angeles Branch won 3rd place. His teacher, Elizabeth Dennehy of Los Angeles County High School for the Arts will receive the $250 Teacher Recognition Award. Read More.

 

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ESU Happy Hour

Chaucer: A European Life
Author Marion Turner
April 21, 2021, 3:00 PM CDT

In her talk, Marion will be discussing the extraordinary life of Geoffrey Chaucer, a man who lived through the worst pandemic humanity has ever seen and made his way in the world in a time of radical change.

A merchant's son, prisoner of war, diplomat, MP, and pioneering poet, Chaucer lived through rebellions, usurpation, and conflict. While past biographers have often focused on Chaucer's Englishness, he was, in fact, a great internationalist.

Marion will talk about his journeys all over the continent, his innovative use of European poetry, and his life in cosmopolitan fourteenth-century London, a place where spices from as far afield as Indonesia were on sale. This is the story of one of the most unusual and brilliant imaginations in literary history. This ESU Happy Hour is a free program but registration is required. Read More.

Register Here
 

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Kansas City’s 37th Annual Virtual Shakespeare Competition Program

We are excited to announce the First, Second and Third-Place winners of the Kansas City Branch's 37th Annual Shakespeare Competition. Don't miss our virtual program on April 21 at 5:00 pm which will include the videos of the seven students' performances at this year's Competition and live commentary from the judges. Everyone is cordially invited to this April 21 free virtual program, but registration is required. You are encouraged to register now.

Register Here


Seven students submitted video entries which were judged by our distinguished judges, Sidonie Garrett, Executive Artistic Director of the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, Melinda McCreary, Director of Education and Community Programs at Kansas City Repertory Theatre, and Mark Robbins, a professional actor and director with more than 170 professional roles to his credit. The judges have selected our winners:

First Place winner is Aliyah Pullin from Olathe South High School. Lauren Hannon is the sponsoring teacher. Second Place winner is Sofia Hughes from Blue Valley High School. Maureen Davis is the sponsoring teacher. Third Place winner is Maggie Herber from Shawnee Mission South High School. Her sponsoring teacher is Mark Swezey. Read more.

 

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Vote for Your Favorite Shakespeare Competition Performer

Deadline to Enter: April 23 at 11:00 PM (CDT)


WINNER RECEIVES A $1,000 CASH PRIZE!

Let's keep the fun going and support our Kansas City Branch winner! A $1,000 People's Choice Award will be awarded to one lucky student.

 Click here to watch the video performances of 39 students who entered the 2021 National Shakespeare Competition. As you watch each of the students perform, be sure to watch Aliyah, she is #17.

 How to join in the fun:

 1. Click on the link above to see performance videos from all of our branch champions on the 2021 ESU National Shakespeare Competition YouTube Channel. Each performer has been assigned a number.

 2. Using your mobile phone, text "NSC" and the number of your favorite performance to 212-818-1200 (example: NSC17)

 3. Remember to watch our Kansas City First Place Winner: #17 Aliyah Pullin. She had an amazing performance!

You will receive a return text confirming that your vote has been received. Read More.

 

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ESU Happy Hour

Are you Using English Correctly?
The Art of Rhetoric and Prose
April 14th, 2021 at 5:00pm CDT

ESU Boston Vice-President Roger Stacey interviews Ward Farnsworth, author of "Classical English Style", on the rhetorical figures that can make words more emphatic, memorable, and effective. This interview will explore the timeless principles of rhetoric from Ancient Greece to the present day, drawing on examples in the English language of consummate masters of prose, such as Lincoln, Churchill, Dickens, Melville, and Burke.

This is a free Happy Hour program, but registration is required. Read more.

Register Here


 

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The English-Speaking Union

Kansas City Branch

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