The ESU National Shakespeare Competition is a performance-based education program. High school students develop analytical and communication skills by performing Shakespeare at the school, community, and national levels. Since 1983 more than 360,000 students have brought the timeless works of Shakespeare to life.
On February 26, 2024, seventeen students from the tri-county area arrived at Orlando Shakes to participate in The English-Speaking Union’s annual Shakespeare competition. Their stellar performances were the center of the event, and with each contestant declamation, the competition grew more intense. This year’s talented contenders clearly presented a challenge for our judges. Anne Hering: Director of Education at The Orlando Shakespeare Theater, Jan McClure: former teacher and current ESU Shakespeare Set Free Program Coordinator, and Dr. Maurice “Socky” O’Sullivan: Kenneth Curry Professor of Literature Emeritus at Rollins College were charged with selecting a branch winner to represent Central Florida ESU at the Shakespeare Competition Finals in New York City. Contestants were vying for the opportunity to win $1,000.00, an additional prize to cover the cost of travel to the finals, and a scholarship to Orlando Shakes’ The Young Company, which is valued at $250.00.
After careful deliberation, our judges declared Julia Kaufman, from Windermere Preparatory, our first place winner. Kaufman’s teacher sponsor, BambiEllen Fadoul, beamed with pride in the audience. Second Place went to Milan Borges from Lake Nona High School. Borges was coached by her teachers, Jennifer Gautier and Gail Chase. In Third Place was Shlomit Barquin-Cadena who was trained by her teacher, Angela Kahn, at Ocoee High School. We also honored Barquin-Cadena as our “For The Love of the Bard” Award recipient. This award requires a teacher nomination and is given annually to one student who, “Exhibits determination, grit, fortitude, and a true passion for Shakespeare’s works.” Another integral portion of our competition included awarding the Richard Burbage Award. Named after one of the most famous actors at The Globe Theatre, this award operates as a tribute to the educators who instill a love of the Bard into their students. It is a way of acknowledging the efforts of our dedicated sponsors. The 2024 recipient of the Richard Burbage Award was long-standing sponsor Angela Kahn of Ocoee High School.
Julia Kaufman went on to proudly represent the Central Florida Branch of the ESU in New York City on April 15, 2024. Barbara Hughes, VP Drey Endowment, was in attendance to support and cheer for our branch winner.
If you are a Theatre, English, Forensics teacher, or administer a home school program, we encourage you to enter to give your students an opportunity to participate in this exciting competition. If you are an interested high school student, please alert your teachers to this valuable program!
Program details for the competition will be posted in September 2024!