Denver ESU Shakespeare Competition Winner is New York Bound!

News

Cherokee Trail High School student Preslee Krout was the first place winner of the Denver Branch English-Speaking Union Shakespeare Competition on Sunday, January 29.  Preslee prevailed against stiff competition from students around the metro area at the annual event held at the University of Colorado Boulder's University Theatre.  Friends, family, teachers and ESU members gathered to watch as each competitor performed a Shakespearean monologue and sonnet of their choice.  The judging panel, comprised of CU Theatre and Dance Department professors and industry professionals, scored the students on their understanding of the selected texts and their ability to communicate that understanding to the audience. Denver Branch member, Pat Monroe, served as proctor for the judges as they compared contestants' scores and discussed performance notes.  Cassandra Baird of the Denver School of the Arts earned second place while Raymond French from Holy Family High School was awarded third place in the competition.

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For They Are Jolly Good (BUSS) Fellows!

Event

2016 BUSS Fellows Joseph DeStefano and Kate Murphy 

Denver Branch members arrived at the University Club on Thursday, November 3 anxious to celebrate alongside British Universities Summer School (BUSS) recipients Joseph DeStefano and Kate Murphy.  2016 marked the final year that the study-abroad program will be referred to as BUSS and the evening, full of delightful conversation, good food and engaging presentations ushered the old name out with style.

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Holiday Cheer and Shakespeare

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Defending Shakespeare's relevance in today's society is a tall order but the winners of the Seventh Annual Howard F. Beckley High School Writing Competition did so with eloquence and style.  The Annual ESU Denver Branch Holiday Party, held December 3, was a time for members to gather, ring in the season and honor the young writers who secured the prizes for this year's competition by answering the question "Why is Shakespeare still relevant today?" The students, in attendance, read their entries aloud while members of the selection committee presented the remaining winning essays. 

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DENVER BRANCH ANNUAL MEETING

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Basil Carpenter and Janet Thompson

The flowers at the Valley Country Club were in full bloom and provided a vibrant welcome to guests as they arrived for the Denver Branch Annual Meeting on Sunday, July 10.  Members enjoyed beverages and mingled, stopping briefly as president Bruce Haefner offered an official welcome and invocation.  The generous brunch buffet included an assortment of pastries, fruit, yogurt, eggs, breakfast meats, juice and coffee. 

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A Royal Evening

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The evening of Thursday, March 10 was a royal one as over 50 ESU Denver members and guests gathered to hear the behind-the-scenes details of the Royal Wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton.  Ian Thompson, a former verger at Westminster Abbey and current Liturgical Assistant at Denver's Saint John's Cathedral, shared photos of the interior of Westminster Abbey as it transformed for the special day.  Ian explained how the wedding site was selected, the television cameras were concealed and the event went off seamlessly.  Photos and mementos of the special day were on display and Ian graciously answered questions before and after the event.  

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