News And Events
2020 National Shakespeare Competition
News
This year's competition was held as usual at the Shakespeare Playhouse on Peachtree St in downtown Atlanta. There were 24 students from 14 schools. (We accept up to two students per school.)
Click here to view the gallery with more pictures.
Click here to download Shakespeare Competition Newsletter
1st Place – Arden Adams of Mount Vernon School, teacher Clark Taylor.
2nd Place – Dayan Todd of Tri-Cities High School, teacher Jade Lambert-Smith.
3rd Place – Anne Marie Alsobrook of Westminster High School, teacher Kate Morgens.
Honorable Mention – Veronica Else of DeKalb School of the Arts, teacher Candace Lambert
This is the year of the COVID pandemic, so the national competition did not take place in NYC. Instead, the wonderfully resilient staff at ESU HQ quickly arranged for students from 49 ESU Branches to submit video of their performances. These may be seen on ESU's YouTube channel: 2020 Shakespeare Competition Performances (The competitor from our Atlanta Branch is student #9.)
From these submissions, the judges picked ten finalists. On April 27 these ten students live-streamed their performances, and the resulting hour-long program may be seen here: 2020 Shakespeare Competition Finalists. The winner was Ava Blum, student of Jim Mahady, at Georgetown Day School.
Preparations for the 2021 competition are already underway. The Atlanta Shakespeare Playhouse has penciled us in on their calendar for February 21, 2021. Please put it on your calendars too!
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The Tower of London
News
The Speaker series is named for Evelyn Wrench, the founder of the English-Speaking Union. Speaker Elizabeth St. John spends her time between California, England, and the past. A best-selling author, historian and genealogist, she has tracked down family papers and residences from Lydiard Park, and Nottingham Castle to Richmond Palace and the Tower of London. Elizabeth will be signing books at the end of the event. To reserve a space, please include payment via check to ESU at address below or go to this link to pay online.
RSVP: February 4, 2020
Guests Welcome
$35 per person/CashBar
Complimentary Valet Parking
Checks payable to ESU Atlanta Branch
Edna Berkshire - P.O. Box 1684, Cumming GA 30028
678-455-0694
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Atlanta National Shakespeare Competition
News
The Atlanta Branch Shakespeare Competition will take place on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2020 at the Shakespeare Theatre at 490 Peachtree Street. Participants and mentors should arrive between noon and 12:30. Program starts at 1 PM sharp.
All interested students and mentors should contact Randy Brannen at brannenga@aol.com. The field is limited to the first 30 qualifiers.
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Branch Annual Garden Party
News
Our Branch held its annual Garden Party at the home of the British Consul General, Andrew Staunton and his wife. Beautiful day with many gorgeous hats. The new Branch President, Pace Huff, was the master of ceremonies and gave the right touch to a wonderful afternoon.
The Branch Shakespeare Competition winner, Arden Adams performed the sonnet that she presented at the national competition in Lincoln Center last April.
After the appropriate toasts to The Queen and to the President, the Consul General provided interesting comments on the importance of the ESU and the tie that binds English speaking people.
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Atonement Lecture Recap
News
Pictured above: Program Chairman Carolyn Mitchell,our speaker Judy Pincus and Chairman of the Board, Wesley Devoto.
When ESU member Judy Pincus presented her lecture on Ian McEwan's Atonement in February, it was indeed a high water mark for our regional programs. The audience was transfixed as Ms. Pincus clearly presented themes, drama, characters, plot development and literary comparisons. Seldom does one hear such a thorough analysis of an author's work, and our group knew it. We all appreciated Ms. Pincus's excellent presentation and everyone wants to have her back .
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