About Us & Activities

National Shakespeare Competition

Tucker Claremont, a sophomore at the Community School of Naples was the 2023 winner of the Naples Branch Shakespeare Competition.  He received $500.  Tucker's teacher was Ms. Amy Carvelli and his coach was Mr. John McKerrow.   He competed with 41 semi-finalists from all over the country at the 40th National Shakespeare Competition at Lincoln Center in New York City on April 24, 2023.  This is the first in-person competition since 2019.  Tucker plans to compete again next year.  His family has generously offered to sponsor a perpetual trophy for the Naples district champion each year.  

James Corliss-Rivero, Golden Gate high School, was the second-place winner and took home $250, and Nevaeh Becarra, Naples High School, won third place and took home $100.    

Nearly 8,000 people from around the world voted for this year's ESU National Shakespeare Competition People's Choice Award.  The recipient of the People's Choice Award, generously provided by the ESU Cleveland Branch, of a $1,000 1st place prize, Pierre Beatrix Madlangbayan of the Kansas City Branch, student of Robyn Hilt at Garden City High School, received 565 votes. In 2nd place, with 475 votes, Tucker Claremont of the Naples Branch took home a $500 prize. In 3rd place, with 365 votes, Victoria Salazar of the San Francisco Branch took home a $250 prize.  Dr. E. Quinn Peeper, Chairman, National Board of Directors of the English-Speaking Union, awarded the prizes and certificates to all the competitors.

2024 ESU National shakespeare competition: Naples branch

The 2024 Annual ESU National Shakespeare Competition: Naples Branch will take place on February 17th, 2024 at 9:00 AM C.C. Public Libray - Orange Blossom Auditorium.

Deadline for participation form TBA

Contact Jeanine Brakefield at jeaninehb@gmail.com for more information

2024 National Finals Competition Dates and Times

Deadline to hold participating school competitions and submit winner forms: February 23, 2024

Deadline to hold branch competitions and submit Branch Winner Forms: March 10, 2024

The competition finals will be held in Lincoln Center in NYC in late April (Date TBA)

2024 Prizes are expected to be as follows (prizes are subject to change):

1st place: British American Drama Academy Mid-Summer Conservatory Program in Oxford, London

2nd place: American Shakespeare Center Theatre Camp in Staunton, VA

3rd place: $1000