The English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition is a performance-based education program in which high school students nationwide read, analyze, perform, and recite Shakespeare’s works. Through the program, students develop communication skills and an appreciation of the power of language and literature. In the Competition’s three progressive levels, students perform in their own schools, at ESU Branch community competitions, and at the National Shakespeare Competition in New York City. Since 1983, more than 400,000 young Americans of all backgrounds have taken advantage of this opportunity to bring the timeless works of Shakespeare to life and learn to express his words with understanding, feeling, and clarity.
Any local high school student may participate. Ideally, you participate at your home school. If your school is not already hosting its own competition, and you cannot find a teacher to sponsor the event at your school by February 1, then you may participate in the Traveling Players competition. The competition consists of each student performing two pieces of Shakespeare -- a monologue and sonnet that you select from the packets. The winner of The Traveling Players competition advances to the regional competition hosted by The Madeira School on February 27, 10 am - 2 pm, which the first runner-up also attends. The winner of the regional level advances to the national level to perform at NYC's Lincoln Center April 13-15.
Free and open to any high school student.
Don't miss out on your chance to join Traveling Players' Nationally Awarded Camps & Conservatories! Auditions in-person at our Studio in Tysons Corner Center.
Traveling Players Studio
Tysons Corner Center – DL01
1961 Chain Bridge Road, Tysons, VA 22102
P.O. Box 1315
Great Falls, VA 22066
