2026 Cleveland Shakespeare Competition

News

43rd SHAKESPEARE COMPETITION IS A WIN FOR EVERYONE!

Talented students displayed their hard-earned skills in the heavy lift of communications from the page to the stage. Each won heartfelt admiration from a knowledgeable audience. The students' skills will continue to grow and the benefits will influence an ever-widening circle.

The best among 27competitors are (l to r) Cecelia Whiteamire, Lakewood High School, honorable mention and Tom Joynes Award; Ursula Rosen, Lakewood High School, third place; Isabel Siegel, Shaker Heights High School, first place; Jaxon Floyd, St. Ignatius High School, second place; Taylor Torres, Shaker Heights High School, honorable mention.

Teachers from every school system received the deep respect of everyone in the room and well beyond. Teachers are the role models and their selfless efforts and skills set the goals and motivate achievement by the students.

ESU locally offers the general community a way to see the rising stars in multiple schools and to support those motivated students.

Judges and facilitators win the spotlight for their volunteer efforts in community service. Thank you judges (l to r) Toby Vera Bercovici, Assistant Professor, Theater & Dance Department, Cleveland State University; Derdriu Ring, Professional Actor; Phyllis Gorfain, Professor of English Emerita, Oberlin College; James Marino PhD, Assistant Professor of English, Cleveland State University; Honorable Sandra Morgan, OBE, Mayor of East Cleveland.

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