News And Events

News And Events

2024 National Shakespeare Competition: Central Pennsylvania Branch

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The 2024 National Shakespeare Competition Starts Now!

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We are pleased to announce the kick-off of the ESU's National Shakespeare Competition! Schools in our region may enter now, giving students the opportunity to compete in the Central Pennsylvania Competition.  The winner of the branch competition will travel to NYC to compete in the national finals at Lincoln Center!  

Program of the ESU Sir Evelyn Wrench Speaker Series

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Shake Up Shakespeare

Wednesday, May 5, 4:00-5:00 PM EDT
Carol Ann Lloyd

Hosted by the ESU Central Pennsylvania Branch in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. 

For more than 400 years, Shakespeare and his plays have been part of our lives. From the playhouses of the sixteenth century to the American Wild West, and from formal theatres to high school festivals, Shakespeare's stories have resonated around the world. This interactive program will invite attendees to participate in polls, chats, and discussions. We'll take a look at how Shakespeare created stories that raise questions about relationships that we are still trying to answer today. We'll explore the power of his language and how it has shaped and been shaped by experiences over hundreds of years. Finally, we'll look at ways Shakespeare's characters and his plays say "goodbye," considering how these final lines encourage us to continue our consideration of ideas and insights. Carol Ann Lloyd is a speaker and writer who shares English history and Shakespeare with a broad audience across the US and abroad.

 

To receive one Continuing Education credit hour, all participants must complete the entire program. Once you've attended the program, you will need to complete additional forms for Act 48 credit through CIU 10 that will be provided to you. 

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ESU Happy Hour Series

Welcome to ESU Happy Hour! The ESU has planned a series of programs to connect and reach out to our members through programs that are engaging, fun, and informative on a wide variety of topics. Happy Hour programs bring to you guest speakers live and free of charge.  Speakers may also suggest a unique cocktail for you to create and enjoy at home. These programs are designed so ESU members and guests can learn and interact with our outstanding speakers. Many speakers will provide exciting participation opportunities with fun give away books and products at the end of each program.

Read the full story for a complete listing of the first six speakers in the program!

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Queen's Six in New Kensington

 

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Queen's Six in State College

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Central Pennsylvania student performs at the 36th Annual National Shakespeare Competition in New York City

April 30, 2019 — New York City: April 29th may have been a normal Monday for most high school students, but for Brady Chilson from Carlisle High School it will be a day to remember forever. Brady, student of Douglas Hewlett and Sue Biondo-Hench, placed as a semifinalist at the 36th Annual National Shakespeare Competition celebrating William Shakespeare's birthday while competing against 50 students from around the US on stage at the Mitzi E. Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center Theater. The event is the culmination of a year-long competition hosted by the English-Speaking Union (ESU).

To qualify for the National Shakespeare Competition semi-finals, Brady won the regional ESU Central Pennsylvania Branch Shakespeare Competition earlier this year.

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Carlisle Area High School Student to Compete in the 36th English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition at Lincoln Center in New York

Central PA Branch of the ESU – Regional Competitors Front Row
Brady Chilson – Winner (Carlisle High School), William Shakespeare, Playwright,Eli Weary, CAPA ( Capitol Area Schoof for the Arts) 3rd Place

Standing
Emily Carlisle,  Yenisha Lopez (Susquehanna Township High School, Anna Farris( Delta Program), Isabelle Snyder, Alternate, Sadie Sublett (State College Area High School Logan Gunoskey, Julia Malek (Pottsville High School)

Loretto, PA  —Brady Chilson student of  Douglas Hewlett and Susan Biondo-Hench from Carlisle High School in Carlisle, PA achieved first place at the English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition Central PA Branch tournament on Saturday February 16, 2019 Brady  will travel to New York City along with more than 50 other contestants from around the country to participate in the ESU National Shakespeare Competition at Lincoln Center Theater in New York on April 28-30th 2019.

Isabelle Snyder from State College Area HS earned second place, and Eli Weary, representing CASA ( Capitol Area School for the Arts) was awarded third place in the Central PA Branch competition. Each student performed a Shakespearean monologue of their choice and recited a sonnet. Competitors were judged on their understanding of their selected texts and on their ability to communicate their interpretation to the audience. Judges for the Branch Competition included faculty members of Saint Francis University:   Dr. Brennan Thomas Phd. of Literature and Languages Department, Ethan Leydig, actor with Band of Brothers Shakespeare in Stackhouse Park Johnstown, PA, and Alan Zajdel, Shakespeare in performance reviewer.  The Saint Francis competition coordinator was Dr. John Woznak Phd.

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Saint Francis University Hosts Regional Shakespeare Competition

2018 Central PA Branch Regional Competitors Alex Winnick – Hershey High School, Mary Rose Valentine -- The Delta Program, Ava Rose Wendelken – Carlisle High School, Hope Showers – Juniata Mennonite School, Gillian Letson – Phillipsburg-Osceola High School, Isabelle Snyder – State College High School, Ari Michael Dym – Susquehanna Township High School

Saint Francis University hosted the English Speaking Union's Central PA Regional Shakespeare Competition on Saturday, February 17 at JFK Auditorium. Students from eight high schools presented monologues and sonnets from the works of William Shakespeare. 

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The English-Speaking Union

Central Pennsylvania Branch

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