One of our favorite events that the ESU puts on locally is the annual Shakespeare Competition. Generally, in February, we have about 15-20 high school students try out for an all expense paid trip to New York to compete in the national competition. All students, grades 9-12, from high schools around the state are encouraged to try out. It is kind of like American Idol for drama students.. Students read, analyze, perform and recite Shakespearean monologues and sonnets in three qualifying stages: at the school, community and national levels. Approximately 2,500 teachers and 20,000 students in nearly 60 ESU Branch communities participate each year.

Last year we sent Rohan Padmakumar, a student at Lusher Charter High School in New Orleans to compete against all of the other students around the nation. He received many accolades and he has agreed to recite a sonnet and a soliloquy from Titus Andronicus during the gala concert. News With a Twist featured Rohan which rocketed him into stardom!

Here is the clip:

 https://wgno.com/2018/08/29/to-be-or-not-to-be-or-until-shakespeare-becomes-a-video-game/