We are thrilled to announce that Isaiah Canterbury, representing the ESU West Virginia Branch, was named the first-place winner of this year’s competition. His powerful interpretation of Sonnet 105 and a moving monologue from King Lear captivated the judges and audience alike. Isaiah is a student of Jakob Spruce at Covington Capitol High School. As first-place winner, Isaiah will attend the prestigious British American Drama Academy (BADA) Midsummer Conservatory program in Oxford, England for 3 weeks this summer – an incredible opportunity to hone his craft and study classical theatre with leading professionals.
Madison Jones, representing the ESU Branch in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, took second place with her performances of Queen Katherine in Henry VIII and Sonnet 17. As the second-place winner, Madison will attend the American Shakespeare Center Theatre Camp this summer for 3 weeks in Staunton, Virginia.
Isa Rudman of the ESU San Francisco Branch took third place for her portrayal of Lear in King Lear and Sonnet 145. Isa will receive a $1,000 cash prize.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who helped make this celebration of Shakespeare and student talent such a resounding success.
The Kansas City Branch of the English-Speaking Union is proud of Emma Scherman, a sophomore from Paola High School, Paola, Kansas, who was among 42 semi-finalists nationwide in ESU’s National Shakespeare Competition held at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 28, 2025.
Four previous ESU Kansas City Branch winners have placed in the top-ten finals of the ESU National Shakespeare Competition, two previous Kansas City Branch winners won First Place in the National Competition, one previous winner won Second Place, and one previous winner won Third Place in the National Finals.
People’s Choice Awards
Nearly 8,000 people – a Competition record – from around the world voted for this year’s ESU National Shakespeare Competition People’s Choice Award.
The People’s Choice Award, generously provided by the ESU Cleveland Branch, awarded a $1,000 first-place prize to Jayden Rodney of the ESU Palm Beach Branch, who received 766 votes.
In second place was Isabella Teter of the ESU Niagara/Buffalo Branch, who received a $500 prize. Third place went to Kyle Gerstel of the ESU Seattle Branch, who received a $250 prize. Thank you to the Cleveland Branch for making the People’s Choice Award possible!
Last year’s People’s Choice Award was won by Pierre Beatrix Madlangbayan, a senior from Garden City High School, Garden City, Kansas, representing the ESU Kansas City Branch. Pierre won First Place in the People’s Choice Award for the second time in two years!
The ESU Kansas City Branch congratulates all winners of the 2025 National Shakespeare Competition and the 2025 People’s Choice Awards.