Forms Referenced in FAQs

Branch Participation Agreement Form: Online registration form for ESU Branches to participate in the Competition (Completed by the Branch Shakespeare Coordinator).
Memo to Competition Teachers: Letter that introduces teachers to the Competition and gives them participation essentials (Sent by the Branch to teachers.)
School Participation Form: Online registration form for schools to participate in the Competition (Completed by lead teacher and returned to Branch Shakespeare Coordinator.)
School Winner Entry Form: Online registration form for the school winner who will advance to the Branch Competition (Completed by lead teacher and/or school winner and returned to Branch Shakespeare Coordinator.)
Branch Winner Entry Form: Online registration form for ESU Branches to report the winner of their Branch competition (Completed by the Branch Shakespeare Coordinator).
Photo Release Form (optional): Permission form for participants competing in the Branch Competition (Signed by student and their parent/guardian and returned to Branch Shakespeare Coordinator).
Branch Winner's Information Sheet: Informational document for your ESU Branch Competition Winner about the National Competition which gives them essentials about how to proceed with planning for their trip to New York. (Branch Shakespeare Coordinator gives it to the Branch Competition Winner).

Branches

Review the Conditions of Branch Participation and Participation Deadlines.
Choose a Shakespeare Branch Coordinator and/or Shakespeare Competition Committee.
Complete the Branch Participation Agreement Form by September 14, 2016.
Pay the $600 Branch Participation Fee (credit card or check).
Pick a date(s) and find a venue for your Branch Competition.

Get the word out to your local schools asap. Email is the most convenient way to contact teachers and schools about the Competition. Send multiple mailings: repetitive invitations yield maximum participation.
Post the news on your Branch's own website. This is where most people look for information about your local program, so it is essential that your site is up-to-date. Remember to include any local details and deadlines as well as your Branch Competition Coordinator's contact information.

Update the Sample Memo to Teachers with your Branch-specific information (including your Branch Competition Coordinator's contact information).
Send schools an initial mailing in Late Summer/Early Fall. Also post information to your Branch's own website. Continue to send out until your Branch's participation deadline for schools passes.
Collect School Participation Forms from participating schools and confirm their receipt with the school's Competition contact(s). Note: These electronic forms will be sent to you via email from the Manager of Shakespeare Education Programs.

Write them an email stating the details of your Branch Competition. Be sure to include the date, time, location (full address) and any other necessary details. Also post this information to your Branch's website.
Include links to the School Winner Entry Form and Photo Release Form. Request that the school fill these forms out prior to your Branch Competition.
Request any additional details the Branch needs from the teachers for the Branch Competition (such as the copies of the student's monologue and sonnet).

Our Regional Branch Competition is fast approaching. What do we need from each competing student?

Recruit judges from your community and send them judging information (Judge Handbook).
Buy/solicit prizes for contestants and teachers.
Compile and print Prompt Book (complete monologues and sonnets for each student) and Scoring Books (one for each of your judges).
Create a program for Branch Competition (with acknowledgment for any donors) and participation certificates for contestants and teachers.
Note: We have template certificates available online.

Supply the Branch Winner with the Branch Winner's Information Sheet.
Complete the Branch Winner Entry Form by March 7, 2016.
Include with this form full text copies of your winner's monologue and sonnet to ESU National Headquarters. The deadline to send this information to ESU Education is March 7, 2016.