PARISH – Altmar-Parish-Williamstown Central School District student Syndey Jones emerged as the winner of the 2016 English-Speaking Union Syracuse Branch Shakespeare Competition recently.
The competition begins at a local level where students memorize and perform a 20-line monologue from a Shakespeare play. Judging is based on character portrayal, vocal expression, confidence, understanding of language and more.
Winners proceed to the regional competition.
19 schools participated in the regional competition this year at the Archibald Theater in Syracuse. Three professors from Syracuse University served as judges of a sonnet performed by each contestant, which is sufficiently different from their speech to demonstrate their range as a performer.
As winner of the Syracuse Branch Shakespeare Competition, Jones will receive an all-expense paid weekend to New York City where the final competition will be held in May; 55 regional contestant winners will compete for the national title.
The third place prize is $500, second place is $1,000 and first place earns six weeks in London over the summer along with enrollment in a program that trains young performers in Shakespearean theater.
According to www.esuus.org, “Through the competition, students are encouraged to develop their communication skills and an appreciation of the power of language and literature.”
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