News And Events
2023 ESU National Shakespeare Competition
News
THE ESU CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF SHAKESPEARE ACROSS THE NATION
Kentucky High School Students Vie for Chance to Compete in the 40th English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition in New York City.
Across America, the branches of this over 100-year-old institution are sponsoring the 2023 English-Speaking Union (ESU) National Shakespeare Competition. The ESU Kentucky Branch will host their local competition on Saturday, February 25th, at Presentation Academy in Louisville, KY. We are anticipating a wonderful turnout since the state winner will compete in NYC. Each student will perform a Shakespearean monologue and recite a sonnet from a carefully curated selection. Competitors will be judged on their understanding of the texts and on their ability to communicate that understanding to an audience.
Registration Is Easy!
Just follow these easy steps to offer this amazing opportunity to your high school students. Fill out school registration form available on the National ESU Website.
2023 ESU National Shakespeare Competition School Participation Form - The English-Speaking Union (esuus.org)
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MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR QUEEN ELIZABETH II
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To mark the passing of Her Majesty the Queen, Episcopal congregations in Louisville in the Diocese of Kentucky will join together at Christ Church Cathedral to commemorate her life and service to the church.
The service will be held at 6 p.m. on Sunday, September 18, at the Cathedral located at 421 S. 2nd St. In accordance with the plan put forth by the church of England for services commemorating Her Majesty, bells will be rung an hour before the service, and a Book of Condolences will be available for signing.
In her official capacity, Queen Elizabeth was the Supreme Governor of the Church of England, the mother church of the worldwide Anglican Communion, of which many American Episcopal churches belong.
Parking is available at the Louisville Surgery Center (444 S. 1st St.), which is directly behind the cathedral. Additional parking is available on the street and in paid garages at the YMCA (555 S. 2nd St) and the Marriott (280 W. Jefferson St.).
All are welcome.
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In Memory of O. Grant Bruton
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It is with the deepest sorrow and much love that we mourn the passing of our beloved ESU KY Branch board member and dear friend O. Grant Bruton, Esq. Our full hearts and loving thoughts go out to his wife Sylvia, their family, and the many people Grant has touched over the years. The English-Speaking Union Kentucky Branch will be forever grateful for all Grant has done for us over his lifetime of service.
A Message from Karen Karpowich, Executive Director of the ESU:
"With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of O. Grant Bruton, Esq. an active, longtime ESU Member. He was the true embodiment of the ESU spirit and its mission to expand minds, strengthen friendships, and unlock opportunities for English language learners across the world.
Grant's involvement with the ESU stretches back to 1948; on an ESU scholarship, he attended Christ's Hospital School in the UK as the first-ever ESU Scholar from the ESU Kentucky Branch. After his exchange, he continued his involvement with the ESU; he served as Branch President twice, as the Chair of and Member of the Branch Scholarship Committee, and as an Executive Member of the Board of Directors for many years.
Whilst enjoying a career as an appellate lawyer to the US Supreme Court and as a Special Justice on the Supreme Court of Kentucky, Grant still found time to study with and mentor other scholars and ESU Members. He enjoyed studying Shakespeare and history at Cambridge during his regular travels to England with his wife, Sylvia.
At the ESU Kentucky Branch's Queen's Tea Party held on June 5, 2022, Grant was recognized as the first-ever Kentucky Branch Scholar Champion. ESU Chairman Dr. E. Quinn Peeper attended the event and was able to present the award to Grant in person."
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If you wish to give a gift in lieu of flowers, please write all checks to the following address:
ESU Kentucky Branch
Attn: Kate Nitzken
9907 Winged Foot Drive
Louisville, KY 40223
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Queen’s Platinum Jubilee (Mad Hatter) Tea and Board of Director's Dinner
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2022 Board of Director's dinner at Mesh restaurant in Louisville, KY to welcome our special guest, Dr. E. Quinn Peeper, Chairman of the National Board of Directors.
(All images provide by Sarah Herron Photography)
The Kentucky Branch celebrated the 2022 Queen's Platinum Jubilee Birthday Tea, the first time it has been held since 2019. The beautiful event was celebrated at historic Oxmoor Woods Farm, tracing 230 to five generations of the Bullitt family. The family was influential in the formation of Kentucky and houses the largest library inside a private home in Kentucky. Our branch members and guests were welcomed by Bullitt family heir and long-time E-SU member, Mr. Lowry Watkin's Jr.
This year at the tea, the Branch celebrated the 2022 class of scholars attending TLab programs at Oxford, Edinburgh, and Shakespeare's New Globe Theater. The scholars included Kayla Daley an English Teacher from Assumption High School, Rayleigh Deaton a junior at the University of Kentucky, Beth Ewing a Social Studies Teacher from Owensboro Kentucky, Elayne Harrington, a student at the University of Louisville, Katie Blackerby Weible, a Theater Teacher at Dupont Manual/YPAS High School, and Rebecca Liford-Hibbard an ELA and Theater/Director Teacher at Corbin High School. Scholarships and travel stipends were awarded.
A special award issued by Executive Director Karen Karpowich, with the designation of Kentucky Branch Scholar Champion, was awarded to O. Grant Bruton, Esq., Kentucky's first E-SU scholar to study at Christ's Hospital in 1948. This first time award was presented by special guest, Dr. E. Quinn Peeper, Chairman of the National Board of Directors.
A lovely luncheon was served and the board of directors, members, and guests toured the home while enjoying numerous activities including a piano performance by Dr. Peeper, a Shakespeare performance by Kentucky Branch Champion and National Shakespeare Competition Third Place Winner, Kathurre Miriti, presentation of the hounds from Long Run Woodford Hounds, the color guard presented by the Kentucky Society of Colonial Wars, and performances by the Sacred Heart Madrigals, Carolyn Cooke (bagpiper), and Jessica Hayden (harpist). Special guests also included Dr. Karen Blair Brand, President of the Central Pennsylvania Branch.
Respectfully, Kate S. Nitzken, President
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Queen's Tea
Save the Date
Mark your calendars!
Plan to attend the first in-person Queen's Tea Party since 2019! A catered tea with all the trimmings will be served al fresco dining. Tours of the home will be provided at no charge. There will be a presentation of the Kentucky branch scholars, live performances by the SHA Madrigal Choir and Kentucky Branch Shakespeare Competition winner, a mad hat contest, hunting horses and so much more…you won't want to miss it!
Registration and more information on this exciting event will be coming soon!
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ESU Kentucky Student takes 3rd in National Competiton!
News
Congratulations to Kathuurre Miriti, third-place winner of the ESU National Shakespeare Competition. We congratulate her teacher, Amie Kisling, and all of her supporters at Lafayette High School.
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Kentucky Branch Shakespeare Competition
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The 2022 ESU - Kentucky Branch Shakespeare Competition is in the books! The first in-person Kentucky Branch Shakespeare Competition since 2019 was held February 20, 2022 at the Commonwealth Theatre in Louisville, KY. The performances were excellent! While the number of attendees was limited due to Covid restrictions, each student was able to have at least one person with them to watch the event. The three judges were delighted to adjudicate at an in-person event.
Congratulations to all of the competitors, judges, and teachers. Special thanks to Georgette Kleier, Kentucky Branch Shakespeare Competition Coordinator, and the Kentucky Branch Board of Director members who
assisted with the day.
(Images by Sarah Herron Photography)
1st Place Winner:
Kathuure Miriti
Lafayette High School
Teacher: Amie Kisling
2nd Place Winner:
Sophia Retone
Commonwealth Theatre Youth Conservatory
Teacher: Charlie Sexton
3rd Place Winner:
Sarai Aboagye
Campbell County High School
Teacher: Claire LaNicca
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Merry Christmas
News
Merry Christmas, Joyous Holidays, and Happy New Year to all our branch members and friends!
We look forward to being together in 2022!
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2022 In Person Shakespeare Competition
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PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
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Matt Wallace, Producing Artistic Director of Kentucky Shakespeare, is honored to participate again in the state portion of this national competition as one of the judges.
STUDENTS SELECT AN APPROVED CONTRASTING MONOLOGUE & SONNET
- HOLD AN IN-SCHOOL COMPETITION IN PERSON OR BY ZOOM
- SUBMIT YOUR SCHOOL WINNER BY FEBRUARY 12, 2022
- WINNER WILL PARTICIPATE IN A LIVE COMPETITION ON FEBRUARY 20, 2022
- THE STATE WINNER WILL VIRTUALLY SUBMIT TO THE SEMI-FINAL ROUND
- IF SELECTED AS A FINALIST, STUDENT RECEIVES AN ALL-EXPENSE PAID TRIP TO NEW YORK CITY TO COMPETE NATIONALLY ON APRIL 25, 2022.
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QUESTIONS?
CONTACT THE ESU KENTUCKY BRANCH
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ABOUT KENTUCKY SHAKESPEARE
Designated the Official Shakespeare Festival of the Commonwealth by the Kentucky legislature, Kentucky Shakespeare is a professional theatre company and not-for-profit charitable organization.
Grounded in the works of Shakespeare, our mission is to enrich our community by presenting accessible, professional theatre experiences that educate, inspire and entertain people of all ages.
Our vision is to use Shakespeare's universal truths and the power of the arts to transform lives. Shakespeare belongs to everyone.
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Remembering Ann M. Lyons
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