To: Competition Participant
From: ESU Shakespeare Committee
Re: Shakespeare Competition
Date: November 18, 2013
Thank you for your interest and commitment to the Competition and your students! This memorandum is
being sent to the schools that have entered the 2014 Shakespeare Competition sponsored by the
Cincinnati Branch of the English-Speaking Union. Please read it completely.
This document contains:
1) Instructions for the school competition;
2) Links to the Cincinnati competition monologues from which students are required to select their
reading. See page four for the links to the monologue selections. Note: several include edits and reflect
the Folger Library Edition which is the new National ESU Standard.
ALERT: DO NOT SELECT MONOLOGUES FROM THE NATIONAL WEB SITE AS THE
CINCINNATI AREA RULES CALL FOR THE USE OF SELECTED READINGS
DOWNLOADED FROM OUR SITE ONLY!
3) List of Shakespearean sonnets;
4) Guidelines for students, teachers, and judges;
5) Sample judges' evaluation sheets;
6) School result sheet. (Returned via on-line form or mailed to the Shakespeare Chairs)
Chronology of Events and Requirements:
1. The competition within your school:
One memorized monologue and one memorized sonnet. Monologue must be limited to 20 lines
(verse or prose). Note: This is a change. In previous years prose was limited to 17 lines. This is
strictly enforced by the National Shakespeare Competition and the local selections adhere to these
rules.
The “School Results Sheet” with the names of the winner and runner-up from your school
should be returned via online form (http://esu-cincinnati.org/results.html) or by mail to: Janice
Flanagan/BobAmott, 1074 Jackson Rd., Park Hills KY, by February 3, 2014. IF YOUR SCHOOL
HAS A PROBLEM WITH THAT DEADLINE PLEASE LET US KNOW.
2. Semi finals:
Saturday, February 22, 2014 at 9 a.m. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, 962 Mt. Adams Circle,
Cincinnati, OH 45202. One memorized monologue and one memorized sonnet. Six semifinalists
will be chosen. Cincinnati selections and edits are taken from the Folger Library editions, the
National ESU approved source.
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3. Finals:
Saturday, March 1, 2014 at 11 am Cincinnati Shakespeare Company at 719 Race Street in
downtown Cincinnati. The same memorized monologue and memorized sonnet performed at semi
finals must be used. Remember that requirement – maximum 20 lines prose or verse must be strictly
observed. Also there will be one sight reading chosen that day.
All six finalists will receive awards:
1st Prize. $1000 scholarship. Represent Cincinnati ESU branch at National Competition in New
York City the days of April 27– April 29, 2014.
2nd Prize. $500.
3rd Prize. $250.
Three runner-ups. Each to receive a collection of Shakespeare related DVD’s.
Teachers of top three winners also receive awards:
1st Prize. $400
2nd Prize.$200
3rd Prize. $150
4. National Competition:
New York City, Sunday, April 27- Tuesday, April 29, 2014. Winner will be flown to NYC. (Costs of
flight and housing paid by National ESU) Student to perform a memorized monologue and
memorized sonnet. More extensive instructions will be given to the winner at the Cincinnati finals.
For additional Information contact:
Janice Flanagan & Bob Amott
(859)-291-0621 (leave a message) or e-mail us at
[email protected]
Web Site: http://www.esu-cincinnati.org/shakespeare.htm
Note: This letter, including an interactive “School Results Form” and a list of participating schools will
be available at our website at the close of registration.
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2014 SHAKESPEARE COMPETITION
INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE SCHOOL COMPETITION
General
The purpose of the competition is to interest today's students in Shakespeare, his dramatic and
poetic art, his universality, and his use of the English language. Students should be encouraged to
bring Shakespeare to life and to express his words with feeling and comprehension.
Gesture and movement should be natural. Students should speak naturally. We advise them to
use their own voice and not affect an English accent. They should be advised to project and to
speak with the clarity necessary to communicate with an audience. They should not wear
costumes, nor should they have props of any kind, including chairs. Prompting is permitted.
Each student should memorize and enact one speech from the list entitled "Selections for School
Competitions” found on the next page. Selections must come from this list only! It is strongly
recommended that the student be familiar with the play from which the speech is taken. The
teacher also should require recitation of a sonnet in the school competition as the school winner
will be required to recite a sonnet for the ESU - semifinals.
The introduction to the monologue should be limited to two sentences. The student should
identify the selection. A second sentence setting the piece in the play may be added but is not
required.
Evaluation of Performance
The competition should be judged by a panel of three to five judges, which may include teachers,
actors, directors, parents, or others in the community who are interested in and knowledgeable
about Shakespeare. Sample judging criteria are enclosed. Only one student from each school
may be entered in the semifinals, but a runner-up should be selected in the event that the school
winner is unable to participate. (PLEASE NOTE: PREVIOUS YEARS’ CINCINNATI
WINNER CANNOT PARTICIPATE AGAIN IN THE LOCAL CINCINNATI COMPETITION.
OTHER RUNNERS UP MAY COMPETE.)
The “School Results Sheet” with the names of the winner and runner-up from your school should
be returned via online form (http://esu-cincinnati.org/results.html) or by mail to: Janice
Flanagan/Bob Amott, 1074 Jackson Rd., Park Hills KY, BY February 3, 2014. IF YOUR SCHOOL
HAS A PROBLEM WITH THAT DEADLINE PLEASE LET US KNOW.
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2014 SHAKESPEARE COMPETITION
SELECTIONS FOR THE SEMIFINAL AND FINAL COMPETITIONS
(Students are to memorize one speech from among those listed.)
2014 – Cincinnati Branch Monologues and Sonnets
NOTE: National ESU no longer is using the Riverside Shakespeare Edition as the Standard
reference this year for the readings and their associated line counts. The Folger Library editions
are now the standard reference. Please use the links below to obtain the correct readings. Use
only the readings downloaded from our site listed below to avoid the possibility of being
disqualified because of different line counts in other references. If you are unable to download
please leave a message at 859-291-0621 and we will mail them to you.
There will be a monitor at the Cincinnati competition. Any contestant who goes over 20 lines (verse or prose) will be
STOPPED AND DISQUALIFIED.
Male Monologues
Play
Category
Character
Antony and Cleopatra
King Lear
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Richard II
The Winter’s Tale
Tragedy
Tragedy
Comedy
History
Romance
Antony
King Lear
Puck
King Richard
Leontes
Play
Category
Character
Cymbeline
Henry IV, Part 1
King Lear
The Tempest
Twelfth Night
Romance
History
Tragedy
Romance
Comedy
Imogen
Lady Percy
Cordelia
Miranda
Viola
Female Monologues
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2014 SHAKESPEARE COMPETITION
SONNET SELECTIONS FOR THE SEMIFINAL AND FINAL COMPETITIONS
SONNET:
The sonnet, as the presentation of an idea, has no dramatic context and so should be recited.
Students should focus on theme rather than on character; they should convey thought instead of
action. Accuracy is important.
Please Note: In past years, movement during the sonnet had been discouraged. The rules of The
National Shakespeare Competition have changed to allow competitors to use movement
and gesture if they feel it will enhance delivery of the sonnet.
(Students should memorize one sonnet from among those listed.)
1.
“When I do count the clock that tells the time…” (#12)
2.
“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?…” (#18)
3.
“When in disgrace with fortune and men’s eyes”…” (#29)
4.
“Let me not to the marriage of true minds…”(#116)
5.
“No! Time, thou shalt not boast that I do change…” (#123)
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2014 SHAKESPEARE COMPETITION
NOTE TO TEACHERS, STUDENTS AND JUDGES
Students should identify their selections before they begin their presentation. Any introduction should be limited
to two sentences. The pieces may be performed in any order.
Monologue - The monologue, taken from a play, is spoken by a character. By definition, it should be acted.
The student should convey the personality of the character and the action of the scene through
the use of voice and body. Overacting should be avoided.
GUIDELINES FOR JUDGES
Judges should consider the following aspects of the performance:
1. Understanding of content
- Convincing characterization
- Ability to make emotional transitions as needed
- Emotional level appropriate to speech
2. Use of voice
- Diction
- Emphasis
- Timing and rhythm
3. Use of body
Does the performer embody the character and the situation through effective use of:
- Movement
- Facial expression
- Gesture
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2014 SHAKESPEARE COMPETITION
JUDGE'S RATING SHEET
Contestant # __________
Shakespearean Passage: __________
For the dramatic monologue, each student is rated out of twenty-five points. Fifteen of these are allotted by section, as set out below,
and the final ten upon the overall impression. The total represents the standing of the competitor.
THE DRAMATIC MONOLOGUE
l.
2.
3.
Excellent
Understanding of content
5
Use of voice
5
Use of body
5
THE OVERALL IMPACT OF THE 10
PERFORMANCE
Very Good
4
4
4
8
Good
3
3
3
6
Adequate
2
2
2
4
Inadequate
0
0
0
0
TOTAL: __________
For the sonnet, each student is rated out of twenty points. Ten of these are allotted by section, as set out below, and the final ten upon
the overall impression. The total represents the standing of the competitor.
Please Note: In past years, movement during the sonnet had been discouraged. The rules of The
National Shakespeare Competition have changed to allow competitors to use movement
and gesture if they feel it will enhance delivery of the sonnet.
THE SONNET
1.
2.
Excellent
Understanding of content
5
Use of voice
5
THE OVERALL IMPACT OF THE 10
RECITATION
Very Good
4
4
8
Good
3
3
6
Adequate
2
2
4
Inadequate
0
0
0
TOTAL: __________
TOTAL FOR MONOLOGUE AND SONNET: __________
JUDGE'S COMMENTS:
DRAMATIC MONOLOGUE:
SONNET:
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2014 SHAKESPEARE COMPETITION
SCHOOL RESULT SHEET
(Please print or type)
An interactive version of this form is also online at: http://www.esu-cincinnati.org/results.html NOTE: ALL
INFORMATION RE THE MONOLOGUE AND SONNET MUST BE COMPLETED TO BE ACCEPTED.
Name of school: _____________________________________________________________________
Name of winner:
____________________________________________________________________
Address: _______________________________________________________________________
Phone: _________________________
E-mail address: ____________________________
Monologue selection for ESU Competition:
Play: _________________ Character: ___________________ Act/Scene: _________Lines:___________
Sonnet selection for ESU Competition: ____________________________________________________
Name of runner-up:
Address: _______________________________________________________________________
Phone: _______________________________ E-mail address: ____________________________
Name of teacher in charge of competition: _________________________________________________
Date of Competition: __________________________________________________________________
Number of students in competition: 9th Grade:___ 10th Grade: __ 11th Grade:___12th Grade: __________
Time of day competition held: ___________________________________________________________
Setting for the competition: ____________________________________________________________
Was it a held as a separate event, an assembly or during a class: ________________________________
Number in audience: __________________________________________________________________
Number of judges: _____________________________ Number of teachers:
Others: (describe) _____________________________________________________________________
TO BE RETURNED BY FEBRUARY 3, 2014
IF THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH THIS DEADLINE, PLEASE CONTACT :
Janice Flanagan & Bob Amott
(859)-291-0621
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