The New York City Branch of the English Speaking Union invites you to join us on
May 13, 2026 at 5PM EDT
ESU National Board Member Mary Coleman Way in Conversation with Tamara Meneghini on
Elizabeth I: in Her Own Words
A critically acclaimed one-woman play, by Carole Levin, in collaboration with Tamara Meneghini and Sabin Epstein, that combines Elizabeth I’s own letters and speeches, the poetry of Shakespeare, and music of the period to reveal a complex woman and ruler reflecting on her life and reign. The play, which has performed to sold out audiences at the 2024 Edinburgh Fringe Festival and elsewhere, explores her inner thoughts, fears, loves, and triumphs, from the Spanish Armada to her relationships with her cousin,Mary, Queen of Scots, her mother, Ann Boleyn, her sister, Mary Tudor, and both Robert Dudley and the Earl of Essex, challenging perceptions of the “Virgin Queen.” The program will include excerpts from the performance.
About Tammy Meneghini
Tammy Meneghini is the co-creator, collaborating writer, producer, and plays the role of Elizabeth I in Elizabeth I: In Her Own Words, a full-length solo play. She has toured the play to various theatres and venues in the United States, as well as being featured at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival 2024, receiving 4 and 5-star reviews to sold out audiences. She is an accomplished actor and director, based in Colorado, where she works frequently onstage and off. Currently, she is in the BETC (Boulder Ensemble Theatre Company) production of Mary Jane, by Amy Herzog. She is one of the founders of the Rocky Mountain Artists Safety Alliance and collaborated with regional theatre companies to create the Community Standards for Theatre for the Colorado Theatre Community. She is on the faculty at the University of Colorado Boulder, where she teaches courses in acting, movement, voice, musical theatre, and the annual senior showcase of work in NYC. Her work on the Elizabeth Project continues to grow and play to receptive audiences far and wide.
For more information, please visit:
About Mary Coleman Way
Mary Coleman Way has made a lasting impact on the theater community by dedicating more than a decade to leading Southwest Shakespeare Company, where she is now Vice President of the Board of Directors. A multifaceted artist, she is a member of the League of Professional Theater Women, an NEA adjudicator, and a frequent participant in classical theater auditions and ESU, Kennedy Center, and HSMT competitions. She is also a writer for film, stage, and television, a director, composer, and administrator. Mary’s commitment to the arts is furthered through her active involvement on the Boards of Arizona Citizens for the Arts, Southwest Shakespeare Company, and the National Board of the English Speaking Union. Beyond Shakespeare, Mary, alongside her husband, founded Fit Via Vi, a film production company that has expanded to include Broadway and TV, earning several Tony and Oscar nominations. Most recently, the company produced Redwood, the highly acclaimed Broadway musical starring Idina Menzel, Sugarcane, a 2025 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary, and ARCO, a 2026 Academy Award nominee for Best Animated Feature Film.
Happy Hour Cocktail
Queen Elizabeth loved a good beer. So take out a Blue Moon with a refreshing slice of lemon or lime, and enjoy! Cheers!