News And Events

The ESU National Shakespeare Competition Starts Now!

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We are pleased to announce the kick-off of the ESU's National Shakespeare Competition! Schools in our region may enter now, giving students the opportunity to compete in the Kentucky Branch Competition.  The winner of the branch competition will travel to NYC to compete in the national finals at Lincoln Center!  

 

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Grand Holiday Masquerade

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40th Anniversary ESU National Shakespeare Competition Winners

Congratulations to the Kentucky Branch's own Sarai Aboagye, who was a top 10 finalist at the 40th Anniversary ESU National Shakespeare Competition at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 24, 2023. Sarai, a student of Claire LaNicca of Campbell County High School, was one of forty-one semi-finalists who came from all over the country, along with parents, branch coordinators, teachers and supporters for this exciting weekend-long event.

 

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Celebrating 100 years of The English-Speaking Union Kentucky Branch

The Kentucky Branch of the English-Speaking Union will proudly celebrate 100 years of education outreach and scholarship on June 4, 2023 from 2-5 pm at the Speed Art Museum in Louisville, Kentucky. Please make plans to join us as we celebrate the people, places and memories from our last century.  The event will include a complimentary tour of the Speed Art Museum, and a champagne toast to name a few highlights of the day.

Please see the invitation below for more details and be sure to register today to attend this momentous celebration.

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2023 State Shakespeare Competition

On Saturday, February 25, 2023 the Kentucky Branch of the ESU held the annual state Shakespeare Competition at Presentation Academy in Louisville, KY. 

 The 11 competitors began the day with an acting workshop presented by ESU-KY Shakespeare Coordinator and theatre director Georgette Kleier. 

The competition featured students from around the state. The judges were Matt Wallace, Producing Artistic Director of Kentucky Shakespeare,

Dr. John Gatton, Professor Emeritus of English, Bellarmine University, and Paula Lockhart, Associate Director, KY Governor's School for the Arts. 

The 2023 ESU-KY Shakespeare Competition winners were: 1st place – Sarai Aboagye from Campbell County high school; 2nd place – Atticus Haden from Youth Performing Arts School; 3rd place – Cara LaCoe from Mercy Academy. The first place winner will move on to compete in the national competition to be held in person in New York City in April.

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1st place winner Sarai Aboagye from Campbell County high school

2nd place winner Atticus Haden from Youth Performing Arts School

3rd place winner Cara LaCoe from Mercy Academy

Additional images of the days activities and all of our contestants performances, can be viewed in our photo gallery. Photo credit: Sarah Herron Photography

 

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The English-Speaking Union

Kentucky Branch