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.

Participating students qualified for the event by winning their school contest.  On the Saturday preceding the competition, all participating schools were invited to send, not only their individual winners, but any interested students to a day of workshops led by University faculty.  This was an invaluable way for the winners to hone their skills for Sunday's competition and for other students to prepare for next year's competition.  The Denver Branch is very fortunate to have a strong working relationship with CU Boulder. 

Krout, who is a student of Denver Branch Board Member Cindy Poinsett, will travel to New York City along with 55 other contestants from around the country to participate in the ESU National Shakespeare Competition at Lincoln Center Theater on May 1, 2017.  We are certain that she will represent well.

Cassandra Baird, Preslee Krout & Raymond French
Competition Participants

2017 ESU Denver Branch Shakespeare 

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