Winners Announced in 2022 National Shakespeare Competition and the People’s Choice Awards
News
Twelve finalists out of 43 ESU Branches were brought together virtually for the 39th annual National Shakespeare Competition, making it the third-ever virtual competition in the program's history.
People from across the country came together on Monday, April 25th on Zoom to watch as the 12 finalists performed for 5 judges. The virtual competition utilized various technologies across multiple platforms, including Zoom, Youtube, and text-to-vote, all of which enabled thousands of engagements, and hundreds of viewers from across the globe.Click hereto read about the three National Competition winners and the three People's Choice Award winners.
Sasha Fedderlyof the ESU New York City Branch won 1st Place with her captivating and thoughtful renditions of Lady MacBeth from MacBeth and Sonnet 35. Sasha has won attendance at the BADA Midsummer Conservatory Program in Oxford, England this summer (Midsummer Conservatory Program – BADA).
Her teacher, Margaret George at Lycee Francais de New York High School will receive the $1000 Teacher Recognition Award. Read More.
Calling all Shakespeare Competition Friends and Family: Come Join the Fun for Free!
Monday, April 25, 2022 at 1:00 pm Central Time via Zoom
The 2022 ESU National Shakespeare Competition has some of the finest young Shakespeareans you'll see anywhere! Show your support by joining us at the competition Zoom program.
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.
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. Let's keep the fun going and vote for our Kansas City Branch winner, Maggie Herber!
Click here to watch the video performances of 43 students who entered the 2022 National Shakespeare Competition. As you watch each of the students perform, be sure to watch Maggie Herber, she is #18
Our next Happy Hour is a fascinating discussion and historical look at notable African-Americans who have played the Bard including Ira Aldridge, Paul Robeson, James Earl Jones, Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman, Frances Foster, Audra McDonald, & Fran Dorn. Happy Hours are free online programs open to ESU members and the general public. Invite your friends to this Happy Hour program. Registration is required. Read more
When did people start to eat out? When did the restaurant as we know it today actually come into being? Join us by whetting your appetite with an April Cocktail – The Lion's Tail -- from the first true restaurant in London, the Café Royal, published in its book of cocktails in 1937. Our hour together will be an illustrated talk with emphasis on the US and England. Join us for this fascinating ESU Happy Hour on Wednesday, April 6, 2022 at 4:00 pm Central Time. Happy Hours are free online programs, but registration is required. When you register, you will receive a link to join the program. Read more.
A Lecture by the Former British Ambassador to China
Sir Christopher Hum, former British Ambassador to China, will present an intriguing and timely lecture in Kansas City on Wednesday, March 9, 2022. This special lecture program is in partnership with The English-Speaking Union of Kansas City and the International Relations Council and is part of ESU's Evelyn Wrench Lecture Series. The ESU and IRC are pleased to welcome Sir Christopher Hum to his first visit to Kansas City.
On his first visit to China, during the tumult of the Cultural Revolution, Christopher Hum watched Chairman Mao receive the adoration of his Red Guards. He lived there in all for ten years, as a diplomat and as British Ambassador between 2002 and 2005 and had a ringside seat as China turned into the superpower it is today. What role does China aspire to play in the international community? Threat or opportunity? Will China rule the world?
When: Wednesday, March 9, 2022
5:45 pm CT—Registration and networking
6:30 pm CT—Remarks by Ambassador Christopher
Hum followed by Q&A
8:00 pm CT—Program ends
Where: Polsinelli Conference Center, 900 W. 48th Pl. Kansas City, MO
Registration and Tickets:
ESU and IRC Members--$10.00 plus $2.24 fee
General Admission--$15.00 plus $2.55 fee
Students—Free. If you are a student, please email Evan Verploegh at everploegh@irckc.org and attach a photo of your student ID to confirm registration. Read More.
The Kansas City Branch of the English-Speaking Union is excited to announce the winners of its 38th annual Shakespeare Competition. The virtual competition was held on February 27, 2022. The first-place winner is Maggie Herber, a senior at Shawnee Mission South High School. Her sponsoring teacher is Samantha Garbe. The second-place winner is Shyla Cowles, a senior at Garden City High School. Her sponsoring teachers are Robyn Hilt and Alice Hilt. The third-place winner is Skylar Saragusa, a sophomore at Olathe South High School. Her sponsoring teachers are Lauren Hannon and David Hastings. Congratulations to our three Kansas City Branch winners.
Watch our entire 2022 virtual Shakespeare Competition program Click here or view the video below:
To see a digital version of our Competition program booklet,Click here.You'll find a control to enlarge the booklet so you can easily read each page.
"As we witness the destabilization and destruction of Ukraine, 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 immediately. The ESU of the United States is currently using our resources to provide direct aid to the Ukraine Branch of the organization."
--Dr. E. Quinn Peeper, Chairman, of the English-Speaking Union of the U.S.
Join Us for Our Next Happy Hour: A Look at the Royal Collection
March 16, 2022, 3:00 PM Central Time
The British Royal Collection of over a million items is the world's largest art collection owned by one person and includes furniture, tapestries, and porcelain as well as paintings. The picture collection began in 1623 with King Charles I, the first serious royal patron of the arts, who brought Van Dyke and Rubens to England and acquired many Italian paintings.
Ever since, nearly every British monarch has acquired works of art, often as a sign of status and power. How the collection grew over the centuries, often at such great expense that it caused political conflict, is a fascinating story, told by UCF Professor Emeritus Gerald Schiffhorst. This will be a Happy Hour you will not want to miss. This is a FREE program, but registration is required. Please register now. Read more.
ESU Kansas City Branch
Welcomes Ben Martin as New President
On February 5, 2022, at our ESU Kansas City Annual Meeting, Ben Martin was unanimously elected as the new president of the Branch by its members. Ben has been a member of the Kansas City Branch for 24 years and served on its Board of Directors and Advisory Committee for many years. Ben brings a wealth of experience and leadership to the ESU, and we are delighted to have Ben serving as president.
For 34 years, Ben taught and directed speech and theatre in Missouri high schools before retiring in the spring of 2010 from the Lee's Summit School District. He served many years on the Boards of Speech and Theatre Association of Missouri (President 1987), Missouri State Thespians and the national board of the Educational Theatre Association. He is an active advocate for arts education programs and served as Executive Director for the Missouri Alliance for Arts Education until he re-retired in July 2020. He continues as the State Advocacy Captain for Americans for the Arts. Read More.
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Sasha Fedderly of the ESU New York City Branch won 1st Place with her captivating and thoughtful renditions of Lady MacBeth from MacBeth and Sonnet 35. Sasha has won attendance at the BADA Midsummer Conservatory Program in Oxford, England this summer (Midsummer Conservatory Program – BADA).
