Shakespeare Competition at Blackfriars Playhouse – 1 February 2025
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Passing over Afton divide and descending into the Shenandoah Valley, the sun shown brightly in blue sky. The mild temperature and beauty of the day proved to be a harbinger of a perfect day for the annual Branch Shakespeare contest at Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton. The turn out would prove to be record setting with 25 member attendees. The mood was buoyant. The excitement mounting, as the program kicked off. The lower level of the playhouse was packed with contestants, their coaches, family members. The sense of great expectations filled the magnificent replica of London’s Blackfriars in the late Elizabethan, and early Jacobean, eras. The head of our Shakespeare Program, Fay Cunningham, did the honors of welcoming all, explaining the course of events to come, and thanking her counterparts at the American Shakespeare Center for their assistance. She then thanked Debbie Pruett, her predecessor, who together, organize the schools and their coaches. She thanked Melodie Hagspiel who served as the contest “cue captain,” should any falter with their lines. I might add, none of the contestants missed a line, or even a word.
And the winner is… Lyra Day Tusing, with a stunning performance portraying Julia, from The Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act 1, Scene 1, as well as Sonnet 29. There were so many strong performances, but Lyra shot the lights out!
From far left, 1st Place Lyra Day Tusing, Orange HS, next, Anna Winter, Nelson HS, 3rd, and far right, Madison Gifford, Fluvanna HS, 32nd . They received checks for $600.00, $400.00, and $300.00, 1st, 2nd, 3rd. Ms. Tusing will be off to NYC, Lincoln Center, in April to compete for the National prizes. She’s going to be hard to beat, and we wish her well. Go Lyra!
The competition was stiffest. The nine contestants were from Western Albemarle, Regents, Madison, Nelson, Miller School, Fluvanna, Orange, New Covenant School (Lynchburg), and Covenant went head-to-head.
L to R: Phoenix Claibourn, W. Albemarle; Brenna Ruddell, Regents; Charlotte Kerlin, Madison (above)L to R: Anna Winter, Nelson, 3rd; Lillian Amos, Miller; Madison Gifford, Fluvanna, 2nd (above)
L to R: Lyra Tusing, Orange, 1st, Ruby Helm, New Covenant, Christopher Albert, Covenant (above)
Judges and audience returned to the theater to hear them make general suggestions about where each of those performing might strive to further improve skills, noting that some, the winners, mastered more of those attributes. Their comments were edifying for the young thespians, the coaches, and the general audience. We thank them for their time and expertise.
After the awards were made, photo ops taken, ESU members went off to enjoy lunch together and tell tall tales. A fitting conclusion to a terrific mid-winter outing. Not pictured but part of the “lunch bunch,” include the Fords, the O’Donnell’s, Melodie, and the Williams.
A final bit of thanks to Fay (here pictured) and Deb for months and months of hard work leading up to this day. Those members who attended, were reminded of just how effective, how exciting, and how rewarding the Shakespeare Competition is, and just how impressive our young people can be.
“The play’s the thing.” Branch President, Phil Williams