Students nationwide performed at the 35th Annual National Shakespeare Competition in NYC

NEW YORK - April 25, 2018 - PRLog -- April 23 may have been a normal Monday for most of America, but as the birthday of William Shakespeare and the date of the 35th Annual National Shakespeare Competition, April 23, 2018 will be a day that fifty-five high school students will never forget. On Monday, students from around the US competed on stage in the Mitzi Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center as the culmination of a year-long competition hosted by the English-Speaking Union (ESU).

Each year, more than 20,000 high school students participate in the English in Action National Shakespeare Competition at the school, regional and national levels through the help of more than 2,500 teachers and 55 ESU branches nationwide. As part of the competition, students perform a monologue and recite a sonnet from Shakespeare and are judged on their understanding of their selected texts and on their ability to communicate their interpretation to the audience. Through this school-based program, students in grades 9-12 develop critical thinking and speaking skills and increase their self-confidence through performance of Shakespeare's work.

Jackson Dean from Palm Valley High School in Rancho Mirage, California was the winner of the 35th Annual English in Action National Shakespeare Competition and received a full scholarship to attend the Young Actor's Summer School at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London. A student of Susie Zachik and representative of the ESU Palm Springs Branch, Jackson performed as Iago from Shakespeare's Othello and recited Sonnet 55 in the final round of competition.

"Shakespeare is an art form. Shakespeare is fascinating and a truly remarkable advanced form of drama and theater. I'm looking forward to experiencing the exuberant life of the city once more. New York's energy, no matter how many times I visit the city, is beautifully contagious." wrote Jackson about Shakespeare and coming to New York City. His advice for future Shakespeareans: "You guys can win too if you believe in it. Don't doubt yourself."

Eli Owens from Penfield High School in Penfield, New York placed second in the competition and received a scholarship to attend the American Shakespeare Center Theater Camp in Staunton, Virginia. A student of Regina Darling and representative of the ESU Rochester Branch, Eli performed as Parolles in Shakespeare's All's Well That Ends Well and recited Sonnet 29 in the final round of competition.

"I'm excited to be surrounded by individuals who share a passion for something most individuals our age turn a blind eye to—individuals who look at Shakespeare as an art form, not an academic." wrote Eli about the experience of competing with fellow students.

Julia Talbot from Medford High School in Boston, Massachusetts placed third in the competition and received a cash prize of $500. A student of Douglas Bowen-Flynn and representative of the ESU Boston Branch, Julia performed as Richard from Shakespeare's Richard III and recited Sonnet 129 in the final round of competition.

"Every time I read or reread Shakespeare, I have a miniature revelation. He's just so universal: Hamlet will be relevant for as long as there are fathers and sons; Macbeth, as long as there are husbands and wives; Romeo and Juliet, as long as there are teenagers (and teenagers will always be teenagers)." wrote Julia about Shakespeare.

Joining the top winners in the final round of competition were Gabriela Furtado Coutinho from American Heritage School in Plantation, Florida; Christina Liberus from Urban Assembly School for the Performing Arts in Queens, New York; Nicholas Moseley from The Bishop's School in La Jolla, California; Julian O'Byrne from Marin School of the Arts in Novato, California; Rohan Padmakumar from Lusher Charter School in New Orleans, Louisiana; Emily Trend from Princeton Day School in Princeton, NJ; and Samantha Vatalaro from Shaker High School in Latham, NY.

The competition brings together renowned actors and members of the theater community to judge the students' performances. This year, actors Kelley Curran (a former National Shakespeare Competition participant) and Geoffrey Owens joined Michael LoMonico, Senior Consultant on National Education at the Folger Shakespeare Library; Alexandra López, Associate Director of Education at Lincoln Center Theater; and Sid Ray, Professor of English and Women's and Gender Studies at Pace University to judge the semifinal rounds. To judge the final round, actors Dana Ivey and Graham Turner joined Sarah Enloe, Director of Education at the American Shakespeare Center; Christopher Hodgkins, Professor of English at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and member of the ESU Board of Directors; and Louis Scheeder, Director of the Classical Studio at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.

Under the banner of English in Action, the English-Speaking Union (ESU) is a non-profit educational charity that employs the English language to foster global understanding and good will through educational opportunities and cultural exchange programs. English in Action educational programs focus on teacher enrichment, immigrant support, scholarships and youth speaking programs.

Andrew Romay New Immigrant Center (ARNIC) improves the lives of recent immigrants through education and cultural programs and integration into American society.

English in Action Conversations pair English language learners with trained volunteers to improve their English fluency through a one-on-one cultural exchange.

Luard Morse Scholarships sends students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities to study for a semester at a British university.

Middle School Debate builds research, critical thinking and public speaking skills through debate.

National Shakespeare Competition develops high school students' analytical and communication skills through performing Shakespeare at the school, community and national levels.

Secondary School Exchange sends high school graduates to British boarding schools for a gap year abroad.

TLab provides teachers and lifelong learners educational enrichment programs at Oxford, the University of Edinburgh and Shakespeare's Globe.

For additional information, visit www.esuus.org.