ESU Announces Thirteen Area High Schools in 34th Annual Shakespeare Competition

Event

Deborah McArdle, Vice President and Shakespeare Competition Coordinator for the Kansas City Branch of the ESU, announces the thirteen area high schools who have entered the Competition.

Blue Valley High School
Center High School
Harrisonville High School
Heart of America Shakespeare Festival Home School Student Competition
Lincoln College Preparatory Academy
Oak Park High School
Olathe Northwest High School
Olathe South High School
Paseo Academy of Fine and Performing Arts
Rockhurst High School
Shawnee Mission Northwest High School
Spring Hill High School
Summit Christian Academy

Students from these thirteen high schools including a home school student are preparing in preliminary competitions at their schools. The thirteen students who win those preliminary competitions will be competing at the Kansas City Branch finals on February 25, 2018. This annual event is designed to develop students' speaking and critical thinking skills as they explore the beauty of the language and the timeless themes in Shakespeare's works.

McArdle, commented, "The ESU Kansas City Branch is proud to have provided this competition for 34 years now. Each year, we see the students display an unbelievable understanding of the works of William Shakespeare, one of the world's greatest geniuses. In unique ways, the contestants bring Shakespeare's words to life by voice, movement and overall interpretation. Additionally, we thank our committed teachers who give so generously of time and talent."

The First Place winner of the ESU Kansas City Branch Competition receives $150, a full scholarship to Shakespeare Exploration, a conservatory-styled camp for teens offered by the Heart of America Shakespeare Festival, an all-expense-paid round-trip to New York City to compete in the ESU National Shakespeare Competition on April 23, 2018, as well as other group activities in New York City.

The First Place winner of the ESU National Shakespeare Competition receives an all-expenses paid scholarship and airfare to attend the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art Young Actors' Summer School in London, England.

The ESU wishes all thirteen students from these high schools the best of luck in the Competition.

The ESU Shakespeare Competition will be held Sunday, February 25, 2018, at 2:30 pm at the Kansas City Public Library, Plaza Branch, Kansas City, MO. The Competition is co-sponsored with the Kansas City Public Library and is a free event. The public is invited.

Learn more here

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