Join the ESU for an exclusive online professional development workshop live via Zoom from Shakespeare’s Globe in London. Explore four of Shakespeare’s most fascinating women—Juliet, Lady Macbeth, Beatrice, and Hero—through an interactive session connecting critical writing with rehearsal-room practice. Gain fresh strategies for engaging students with themes of gender, relationships, and power in Shakespeare’s works. […]
The British Are Coming! All ESU members and guests are invited to the 38th Annual British Faire sponsored by the Daughters of the British Empire in Kansas. This annual fundraising event benefits retirement communities and local charities. Some of the events and activities at the British Faire: Traditional British Afternoon Tea Celtic Jewelry The Best […]
The Earl and Countess of Derby Invite the English-Speaking Union toA Magical Holiday Weekend at Knowsley HallPrescot, Merseyside L34 4AG EnglandNovember 20–23, 2025 From $2,500 pp double / $3,400 pp single in an Executive SuiteUpgrades to Deluxe and Royal Suite/Lord Derby’s Suite available Step into the enchantment of the holiday season with an exclusive invitation […]
ESU members and guests are invited to an exciting new kind of event that combines educational topics with social gatherings. Think and Drink is a one-hour lecture program launched in July of 2025 by Casual Animal Brewing Company, a microbrewery in the East Crossroads area, south of downtown KC. The Think and Drink lecture series […]
Just in time for the holidays! The first Think & Drink program in December is The Surprising & Jolly History of Santa and Christmas Traditions in America. This holiday program brings out the spirit of the season. From Dutch settlers’ tales of Sinterklaas to Coca-Cola ads, shopping malls, and holiday parades, the Santa Claus we […]
From its humble beginnings in 1947, the wife of a Marine Reserve Major wanted todonate dolls to a charity that would distribute the toys to children in need. Sheconvinced her husband to create one. He looked to fellow Marine reservists to get thejob done. The project was a huge success and was officially adopted by the […]
All ESU members and Friends of ESU are invited to this holiday classic produced by KCRep. This production of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens is a blend of classic storytelling with lively and energetic performances by an all-star cast. For more than 40 years, Kansas City’s beloved tradition has created holiday memories for families […]
Humanitarian needs, global hunger, and forced displacement are all near record highs at the same time as governments cut aid budgets and support for the world’s most vulnerable. Learn about which crises and conflicts are at the top of the International Rescue Committee’s 2026 Emergency Watchlist, as well as the geopolitical trends driving them. Think […]
During World War I, Britain made numerous and often contradictory promises in the Middle East—including the Sykes–Picot Agreement, the Balfour Declaration, commitments to Arab leaders, and support for Wilson’s Fourteen Points—in an effort to secure allies. After the Ottoman Empire collapsed, Britain faced the challenge of reconciling these conflicting obligations. Winston Churchill, guided by T. […]
As the calendar turns to 2026, The English-Speaking Union of the United States begins a year-long celebration of 250 years of American independence. Throughout the year, ESU will feature several Happy Hours that give us an opportunity to pause and reflect on this historic milestone.The American Revolution was a war unlike any other—one of ideas […]
Wednesday, February 11, 2026 • 4:00 PM ET Sponsored by the ESU Atlanta Branch Jane Austen (1775-1817) is one of the most famous writers in English literature. Her books are read by people all over the world and have been made into countless TV, film, theatre, and radio adaptations. She is known for her sharp […]
2026 National Shakespeare Competition Kansas City Branch Finals March 1,2026 • 2:00 – 4:00 pm CST Join us for our 42nd annual Shakespeare Competition in Kansas City as KC metro area high school students compete for First Place with the winner advancing to the National Finals in New York City in April 2026. Students perform […]
