News And Events

2023 ESU National Shakespeare Competition

THE ESU CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF SHAKESPEARE ACROSS THE NATION

Kentucky High School Students Vie for Chance to Compete in the 40th English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition in New York City.

Across America, the branches of this over 100-year-old institution are sponsoring the 2023 English-Speaking Union (ESU) National Shakespeare Competition. The ESU Kentucky Branch will host their local competition on Saturday, February 25th, at Presentation Academy in Louisville, KY. We are anticipating a wonderful turnout since the state winner will compete in NYC. Each student will perform a Shakespearean monologue and recite a sonnet from a carefully curated selection.  Competitors will be judged on their understanding of the texts and on their ability to communicate that understanding to an audience.

Registration Is Easy!

Just follow these easy steps to offer this amazing opportunity to your high school students. Fill out school registration form available on the National ESU Website.

2023 ESU National Shakespeare Competition School Participation Form - The English-Speaking Union (esuus.org)

Tell your students about the competition. Have them choose a contrasting monologue and sonnet from the National ESU Website.

2023-ESU-NSC-Monologue-Packet:en-us.pdf (esuus.org)

2023-ESU-NSC-Sonnet-Packet:en-us.pdf (esuus.org)

Once you have students prepared, hold an in-school competition. If necessary, the school competition may be on Zoom. Submit winner of school competition to National ESU Office by January 6th. The school winner form is on the ESU website. Each school winner will participate in the state competition at Presentation Academy on February 25th.

After a three-year hiatus due to COVID, the national finals will again be held live on stage. In April, the winner of the ESU Kentucky Branch Competition will represent the Kentucky in the national semi-finals level in New York City. Ten finalists will be chosen by a panel of distinguished judges and will perform their selections. Prizes will be announced later this year.  For additional information regarding the ESU National Shakespeare Competition, please visit esuus.org/esu/programs/shakespearecompetition.

ESU-KY Contact: Georgette Kleier

Kentucky Branch Shakespeare Coordinator georgette.kleier@gmail.com

 

Return to News & Events