Quakertown Community High School students recently had the opportunity to bring their theatrical talents to life at the annual Pennsylvania Shakespeare Competition, held at DeSales University. This celebrated event attracted talented young performers from schools across the state, providing an inspiring platform for students to showcase their passion for the arts and their mastery of Shakespeare. The competition highlighted the power of Shakespeare’s works to unite, challenge, and inspire new and experienced performers alike. Participants demonstrated their skills through dynamic monologues, scenes composed of two or three people, and interpretations of some of the playwright’s most famous works. The event also fostered a sense of camaraderie among students, bonding over their shared love of theatre and the timeless themes of Shakespearean writing.
Judged by industry professionals and educators, the competition offered students valuable feedback to refine their craft while celebrating their achievements. In clinics, the young players worked with their peers on a variety of skills ranging from stage combat to utilizing movement in their acting. Quakertown students all had the opportunity to explore intimacy when it comes to acting. They placed a thought-provoking game and laughed over the random movements and ideas from the masterclass. “The clinic was my favorite part. It helped a lot with being more comfortable with our performances” one participant, Annie Malack, claimed. The Quakertown students delivered standout performances, earning praise for their creativity, stage presence, and dedication to the art of storytelling.
Each performance was timed and presented to three different judging panels in conference rooms, allowing students to receive detailed feedback from multiple perspectives and even make revisions. The multi-panel format not only provided valuable critiques but also encouraged students to add on to and build their scene or monologue throughout the day.
Beyond just performing and getting feedback, participants attended specialized clinics led by theatre professionals and educators. These sessions covered a range of topics, from stage combat techniques to general acting skills, equipping students with tools to enhance their future performances. For many, these workshops were a highlight, offering hands-on/personal experience and insights into the world of theatre.
The competition concluded with the much-anticipated “showcase,” where select groups and individuals were invited to perform again, this time on stage in front of the entire audience and the judging panel. The showcase was both a celebration of talent and a final opportunity for participants to compete for awards tied to scholarship money for DeSales University.
Quakertown’s representatives brought passion to their performances, impressing both judges and peers. “It was an incredible experience to perform Shakespeare’s words and see how others interpreted them,” said one student participant, Tanner Sheridan. “The feedback we received was so helpful, and the clinics were a lot of fun.”
While the competition brought incredible talent, the event was ultimately about more than winning. It fostered a sense of community among aspiring QCHS actors, all united by their love for Shakespearean drama. QCHS brought beautifully interpreted scenes from Richard III, Hamlet, Cleopatra, and more. With one student, Audrey Heimark, showcased later on in the festival, Quakertown is proud of how well the students represented the school’s theater program.
