Winner of 2016 Houston Shakespeare Competition

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The Houston Branch of the English-Speaking Union held its 29^th Annual Shakespeare Competition at Duchesne Academy on Saturday morning, March 5, 2016. Claire will be sent to compete in New York City at the National ESU Competition in May. The winner of this year's contest was Claire Metusalem, a student at The High School for the Visual and Performing Arts (HSPVA). Claire demonstrated self-confidence, poise and whimsical caprice as she performed the role of Helena in a monologue from A Midsummer Night's Dream.  Her teacher is Cynthia Ogden, assisted by Matthew Hune.  At HSPVA "Educational theatre is a creative, democratic activity. Students learn the principles of democracy and civic responsibility through working in close harmony."

In Houston, the English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition was initiated by Jane Blaffer Owen and Charles Saunders to help students in grades 9 – 12 develop communication skills and a broader cultural perspective. The competition judges are from Houston's outstanding theatre community.  Judging this year was Jim Johnson, the Director of the School of Theatre and Dance at the University of Houston.  Jim is also Executive Director of the Houston Shakespeare Festival.  Also judging was local playwright, librettist, and writer of the theatre curriculum for Houston Community College and adjunct professor at the University of Houston, Kate Pogue.  Kate was the artistic director for over two dozen Shakespeare plays for "Shakespeare By the Book" in Fort Bend County.   Ms. Pogue is also a world expert on Shakespeare's private life, having written four books: on Shakespeare's friends, family, figures of speech and education.

Mary Koenig, Immediate past-president and Competition Coordinator

The English-Speaking Union, Houston Branch
Mary.koenig@sbcglobal.net

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