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.
It was the Central Florida ESU branch’s honor to hold our competition on Monday, February 24, 2025! Nineteen brilliant students from our tri-county area (Orange, Seminole, and Osceola Counties) arrived at Orlando Shakes full of pride and nervous energy. Their outstanding performances were the heart of the event; however, it was the camaraderie and pure love for the Bard that lifted the evening from a competition to a celebration. Before performing, the contestants played improvisational games together in the holding area as they set a shared mission to attack their jitters. After the festivities began, they transformed into their characters, and as each contestant made their way back to their seat- releasing their assumed personas along the way- they were met with a chorus of reverently whispered accolades. That’s the community that we celebrated. That is what the competition is really about.
This year’s talented contenders clearly presented a challenge for our judges. Anne Hering (Director of Education at The Orlando Shakespeare Theater), Thomas Ouelette (Rollins College Directing and Actor Professor, director of over 30 Annie Russell Theatre productions, and Cornell Distinguished Faculty Award Winner), and Donna Miller (Retired Educator with 50 years of service in Educational Television, Administration, and Direct Instruction) were charged with selecting a branch winner to represent Central Florida ESU at the Shakespeare Competition Finals in New York City. As stated, it was not an easy task!
Second Place went to Tayshawn Walker from University High School. Walker was supported by his sponsor, Alex Mendez. In Third Place was Ava Curtis who was trained by her teacher, BambiEllen Fadoul, at Windermere Prep. We also honored Kam Evans, from East River High, 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 2025 recipient of the Richard Burbage Award was long-standing sponsor Ginger Bryant of Lake Highland Preparatory, who has consistently coordinated a competition at her own school for over 28 years while also serving as the ESU Branch coordinator!
We are so proud of all of our contestants and teacher sponsors. This entire event was a win for our branch. We also cannot wait for Adam to proudly represent the Central Florida Branch of the ESU in New York City on April 28, 2025!
If you are a Theatre, English, Forensics teacher, or administer a home school program, we encourage you to enter our 2026 competition and give your students an opportunity to participate in this exciting experience. If you are an interested high school student, please alert your teachers to this valuable program!
