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, the competition has engaged more than 425,000 young people. On average, approximately 5,000 students from close to 800 schools across the country participate. Our Central Florida ESU branch includes school competitions in Orange, Seminole, and Osceola Counties.
This year, our ESU Branch Shakespeare Competition was held two weeks earlier than usual, but that clearly was not an obstacle for our twenty participating schools! Each of their winners shone bright on the Margeson stage of The Orlando Shakes, as they entertained an audience full of supporters.
Our Esteemed judges were Anne Hering: Director of Education at Orlando Shakes, Donna Miller: former Program Coordinator for Orange County’s Language Arts, and Dr. Maurice “Socky” O’Sullivan: former Professor at Rollins College and Past Central Florida ESU Branch President. This dedicated trio carefully deliberated and awarded the following students with the Top Three Honors.
From left to right, De’Mari Marsh from Lake Nona High School took First Place with his portrayal of Bottom from A Midsummer Night’s Dream under the direction of his sponsors, Ms. Jennifer Gautier and Ms. Gail Chase. Second Place went to Ella Kelly from Boone High School. Ella was coached by her teacher, Ms. Marie Gentile. In Third Place was Avni Patil who was trained by her teacher, Ms. BambiEllen Fadoul at Windermere Preparatory School.
We also had the pleasure of honoring Marie Gentile with the Richard Burbage Award, our branch’s unique token of gratitude for a sponsor/school who has been active and supportive of our competition year after year. Additionally, we recognized competitor Riley Olsen (Ocoee High School) with the Love of the Bard Award. Riley was heralded as a student who “embraces the Bard not only as a playwright, but as a guide for self-discovery, finding that his expressive language helps her better understand herself and articulate her own emotions.”
Congratulations to all who participated in this extraordinary event! Our competition is successful because of every single school, sponsor, student, and volunteer involved. We look forward to cheering on our branch winner, De’Mari Marsh, as he represents our branch in the National Shakespeare Competition Finals during Competition Week in New York City, April 25-27th.
