2015 Shakespeare Monologue Competition at Lahainaluna High

On Wednesday, February 4th, three talented Lahainaluna students performed Shakespeare monologues with incredible confidence in front of a small audience and 3 judges selected from within Maui theatre community.

Michael Pulliam, Gary Shin-Leavitt, and Ute Finch took part as judges, and evaluated each student’s performance based upon a set of criteria set forth by the English Speaking Union of the United States (ESU).

As detailed on their Website, the ESU:

…is a network of 68 Branches throughout the country, whose members celebrate English as a shared language to foster global understanding and good will by providing educational and cultural opportunities for students, educators and members. The ESU seeks to nurture and enhance our linguistics heritage through nationally administered programs and outreach.”

The annual Shakespeare monologue competition is one of the ESU’s several programs that provides the aforementioned educational and cultural opportunities for the student. Lahainaluna English Teacher, Ryan Granillo, and Shakespeare Coach, Katherine Cloutier, who is contracted with Theatre Theatre Maui, have worked hard since last Winter to prepare the students for their school competition, and that work definitely shined in the performances of the three talented performers.  In fact, judge Gary Shin-Nelson remarked that all three judges were very impressed with the students’ performances, and that each student would be a welcome addition to Maui’s theatre community.

The first place winner with her teacher and competition advisor, Ryan Granillo - photo courtesy of Angela Thompson

Stephanie, the 1st Place winner of Wednesday’s competition, will go on to compete at the branch competition on Oahu later in the month, and if she wins the branch competition, she’ll move on to the national competition in New York.  We are so proud of her and wish her the best of luck!

 

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