Annual Shakespeare Performing Contest in 2024, Hosted by the English Speaking Union
In the heart of New York City, students at Bronx Science are delving deep into the world of William Shakespeare. On February 8th, 2024, the school hosted its own Shakespeare Competition, a precursor to the English Speaking Union's (ESU) Semi-Final Competition.
The competition, a platform for young actors to showcase their interpretations of Shakespeare's works, is a testament to the enduring appeal of the Bard's plays and sonnets. Anna Koontz '25, one of the participants, emphasizes the uniqueness of each interpretation, stating, "Different actors may emphasize different aspects or have unique ideas behind the characters."
Nava Litt '25, a three-time winner at Bronx Science, performed a monologue from Titus Andronicus and Sonnet 44. Litt, who expressed her love for the competition, unfortunately did not advance to the finals competition held at the Morgan Library. However, her passion for Shakespeare was evident, and she hopes many others will continue to participate.
Liliana Mejia '27, another competitor, performed a monologue from All's Well That Ends Well and related Helena's romantic struggles to ones she notices in modern media. Mejia's performance underscored the relatability of Shakespeare's works, a sentiment echoed by Ngozi Ihesiaba '26, who placed third in the ESU's first ever "I AM Shakespeare" Sonnet Competition with her sonnet "My Crutch."
Evan Norat '26, runner-up in this year's competition, loves performing and cherishes the ability to freely express himself while acting. Alexandria Liu '27 chose to perform Sonnet 116 because she enjoys exploring the concepts the poem illustrates.
The winners of the ESU's competition stand to gain a valuable opportunity. The winner of the national level receives the chance to attend the British American Drama Academy Mid-Summer Conservatory Program. This intensive summer acting program focuses on classical theatre, particularly Shakespeare, and often includes immersive experiences such as visits to Shakespeare’s birthplace and Stratford-upon-Avon. The program targets actors with some prior training or professional ambition.
Stage fright, however, is a challenge for many students participating in these competitions. Sadly, 72-75% of people experience some form of stage fright. Despite this, the students of Bronx Science continue to rise to the occasion, demonstrating their passion for Shakespeare and their commitment to the craft of acting.
Over 360,000 students have participated in the English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition since its creation in 1983, a testament to the enduring appeal of Shakespeare's works. As Koontz aptly puts it, "Shakespeare's work has endured for over 400 years due to its ability to be applied to every reader's experiences."
Shakespeare's influence extends beyond the stage and the page. His works have inspired various genres, including movies such as Ten Things I Hate About You, She's The Man, and West Side Story. Liu appreciates this impact, stating, "Shakespeare's works have inspired various genres, including movies, showing their relevance and relatability even today."
As the curtain falls on this year's competitions, the students of Bronx Science continue to find Shakespeare in their classroom curriculums and extra-curricular activities. The future of Shakespeare's legacy in the hands of these young actors is promising indeed.
- The competition serves as a showcase for students' unique interpretations of Shakespeare's works, highlighting the enduring appeal of his features in home-and-garden, learning, lifestyle, news, education-and-self-development, and sports.
- One student, Evan Norat '26, found great value in the competition, cherishing the freedom to express himself and learn more about classical theatre, particularly Shakespeare, preparing him for potential careers in sports, lifestyle, education-and-self-development, and home-and-garden.
- Stage fright presents a challenge for some participants, with statistics suggesting 72-75% of people experience its effects, but this doesn't deter students from delving deeper into the world of Shakespeare, making connections between his works and their own lives.
- The reach of Shakespeare's work extends far beyond the classroom, inspiring various genres such as movies, proving his timelessness and relevance in today's news, lifestyle, home-and-garden, education-and-self-development, and sports.
