Activities

SAVE THE DATE!

Here are local events being planned. Dates to be announced. Watch for email invitations and/or check this website.

September 18 
Dinner Meeting at Scorpacciata's Pizza Co. in Shaker Heights. 5:30 pm. Speakers will talk about participating in the National Shakespeare Competition and the learning experience at the Globe Theater.

 September 20-21 
The Inkubator convocation, free to all schools in Northeast Ohio!  Several thousand expected at The Cleveland Public Library, Stokes Building near Public Square. Although it is a week long event, ESU will have a display table only on September 20-21 to promote our Shakespeare Competition and membership. You are asked to volunteer for an hour or more on either day. Contact Bill Kennedy at billkennedy@windstream.net or 216-543-3953. 

September 25
Happy Hour via Livestream at 6 pm. An overview of the legacy of activist Margaret "Molly" Brown. She was a WWI volunteer in France, suffragist and philanthropist. Her 1889 home in downtown Denver is now an historical museum.

October 7
Board Meeting. Home of Carol Engler, Program Chairperson.

October 18-19-20
Details in the article that follows.
ESU National Annual General Conference in Cleveland. 
Friday: Reception and Dinner welcoming everyone.
Saturday: Patron Reception 
Sunday: Luncheon. 

February 24, 2025
Regional Shakespeare Competition at Cleveland State University. Schools may learn more and register now by going to the National English-Speaking Union website at esuus.org.


Our Scholar in Scotland! 


Lisa Ortenzi highlighted her studies at the University of Edinburgh for our members.  She is the Director of Education for Great Lakes Theater and is a vital partner in ESU's annual Shakespeare Competition.

Last summer, Lisa was our scholarship representative in the Teachers Learning Abroad program. "The school gave us a list of 18 books to read before we arrived!" said Lisa. "All about societal changes and theatrical expression. Important ideas and very intensive for our class of international students. Also some assignments were to participate in the International Film & Theater Festival in the city. Whew! Fun!" Later, Lisa found time to visit Shakespeare's Globe Theater in London. "We came home with sooo many good ideas! Thank you!!" 

Annually Lisa's department amplifies the theatrical education of 15,000 students in Northeast Ohio. This includes providing tickets to Playhouse Square, in-school workshops, helping to manage ESU's Shakespeare Competition, producing free Shakespeare-in-the-park programs and offering summer theater camps. She is helping to produce ESU's gala presentation of Romeo & Juliet for the All-City Shakespeare Festival!  Bravo, Lisa! 

International classes are the best.

Theater Festival performances were in theaters, restaurants and on the street all week.
Two more Teachers Will Study in Great Britain 
This summer two Cleveland Branch teachers will study in Great Britain through the Teachers Learning Abroad program. 

Channelle Harris, teaching-artist at Great Lakes Theater, will attend the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. 
Khaki Hermann, a teacher at Hathaway Brown School, will attend the British University's program at Shakespeare's Globe Theater in London. 
Our Teachers Abroad Through ESU: 
Lucille Alstine, retired  
Anne Hasenohrl, Westlake High School  
Kevin Hascher, Berea-Midpark High School 
Gay Janis,Gilmour Academy  
Teresa Lee Jenkins,Lake Ridge Academy 
Cassie Lucas,Brunswick High School 
Christine McBurney,Shaker Heights High School 
Lisa Ortenzi, Great Lakes Theater 
Rebecca Papakonstantinou,Berea-Midpark High School  

Our Activities


National Shakespeare Competition
TLab: Travel and Learn Abroad
  
 

The English-Speaking Union

Cleveland Branch

Cleveland Branch Landmark Photo

Welcome to the ESU

The ESU celebrates English as a shared language to foster global understanding and good will by providing educational and cultural opportunities for students, educators, and members.

To find out more about our programs click here.