Register for the 2022 ESU National Shakespeare Competition
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Calling all Shakespeare Competition Friends and Family- Come Join the Fun for Free!
Watch the competition live via Zoom! Tickets are free, we just ask that you register before Sunday, April 24th. Let's spread the word to family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues.
Monday, April 25th at 2 PM ET via Zoom.
The 2022 ESU National Shakespeare Competition has some of the finest young Shakespeareans you'll see anywhere!
Don't forget to vote in the People's Choice Award
WINNER RECEIVES A $1000 CASH PRIZE!
Second place will receive $500!
Third place will receive $250!
An event for the whole ESU Shakespeare community! Like last year, friends, families, teachers, classmates, and communities will be able to vote for their favorite performance.
All videos are eligible and voting is open to everyone, not just ESU members. Get your school community, neighbors, and relatives involved.
This year we're proud to announce the inclusion of second place and third place prizes! Keep the fun going and support all of our branch champions by voting in the People's Choice Award.
Voting ends at midnight on April 22nd!
Support the ESU National Shakespeare Competition
As we continue celebrating our Centennial, the ESU recognizes that our greatest strength is the commitment and dedication of our community. Thank you for your support of the 2021 ESU National Shakespeare Competition.
Support the ESU National Shakespeare Competition |
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Happy Birthday to Her Majesty Queen
National News
Your Majesty,
With gratitude and admiration, The English-Speaking Union of the United States sends you warm greetings on the occasion of your 96th birthday.
We thank you for all the years of service you've given to the people of the United Kingdom and the entire world.
May God continue to bless you!
With our good wishes and prayers,
Dr. E. Quinn Peeper
Chairman,
The National Board of Directors of The English-Speaking Union of the United States
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Chairman's March Newsletter
National News
Dear friends,
Just two weeks ago, as I was thinking about my next letter to you, I was excited about the approaching spring and the magic of new beginnings that it brings. But this feeling of optimism and hope for sunny skies and new experiences has been overshadowed by the disturbing events in Ukraine, a country that hosts one of our sister English-Speaking Unions.
We deplore the destruction of Ukraine and we stand in solidarity with our colleagues at ESU Ukraine and with the entire nation of Ukraine. We disavow the tactics of war and call for the protection of lives during this conflict. We strongly support the Ukrainian people's fight to protect democracy and are hopeful that a peaceful resolution will be reached before long.
As an organization created out of the ashes of WWI and committed to fostering peace and global understanding through the use of the English language, the ESU of the United States is providing direct aid to ESU Ukraine and symbolically dedicating our programs this spring to an independent, peaceful and democratic Ukraine.
The ESU National Shakespeare Competition has been underway in ESU Branches across the country to select the semi-finalists who will vie for the top prize on April 25, 2022. Even a global deadly pandemic has been unable to stop the power and influence of the Bard on young adults. The Competition endures despite the challenges, thanks to the ESU Branches, teachers, students, judges, and staff embracing technology to carry the program through in a way that is safe and effective, until we can all meet in person.
I know you'll agree with me that the ESU National Shakespeare Competition is so beloved because it faithfully reflects everything the ESU stands for and aspires to. The Competition educates and inspires, it brings young people together and challenges them to understand and embrace one of the world's greatest bodies of literature – the works of William Shakespeare. And it allows us, the ESU members, to be part of these young people's journeys and to nurture and cheer their progress.
The appeal of the program shows in the rising numbers of Branches coming back after skipping the 2020-2021 season. I'm delighted to announce that this year we are just five ESU Branches shy of our pre-pandemic number of participating Branches. After missing the 2021 Competition, five ESU Branches came back with the encouragement and support of Program Director Betty Trevino-Roth and the rest of the staff who have guided the Branches in mounting their virtual local rounds.
Read the full newsletter on the next page, or download the newsletter here.
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