The ESU Essay Competition
The ESU Performing Shakespeare Competition invites high school students to bring Shakespeare’s words to life on stage.
Intro
Students perform a monologue or a duologue from any of Shakespeare’s plays, interpreted in whichever way they choose, and introduce it in their own words.
Shakespeare gave the English language thousands of words and phrases we still use today. Performing his work turns it from text on a page into living language, full of passion, power and possibility. Along the way, students grow in confidence and creativity, and sharpen the speaking skills that matter far beyond the stage.
The competition has been part of the ESU’s work in the UK for decades, with finals held at Shakespeare’s Globe. ESU Romania now brings it to students across Romania.
How it works
- School selection – each school chooses up to one monologue (1 student) and one duologue (2 students). You can pick your entries however you like: in class, through a drama club, or by asking students to film their performances.
- Registration – register your entries.
- National final – registered entries perform live in Bucharest in May 2027 (date TBC). If we receive many entries, we may hold regional rounds first.
The performance
Each entry lasts up to 5 minutes:
- Introduction (up to 2 minutes) – students present the play, scene and characters, explain why they chose the piece and what they want to show in their interpretation.
- Performance (up to 3 minutes) – the monologue or duologue itself.
Rules at a glance
- Open to students in middle school and highschool
- Extracts from any of Shakespeare’s plays; sonnets and narrative poems are not allowed
- Extracts can be cut to fit the time, but the words themselves can’t be changed
- No props or costumes, apart from one chair per performer; performers wear plain black, white, or black and white
- Students are encouraged to perform from memory; scripts are allowed, but may affect the score
- Duologues may use an understudy from the same school if a performer can’t attend
Why take part
- Shakespeare comes alive – students explore the plays as performers, not just readers
- Real oracy skills – the introduction builds confidence in explaining and presenting ideas
- Fits the classroom – schools can run their selection as part of regular English lessons
- Open to everyone – no costumes, sets or drama experience needed; just students and Shakespeare’s words
- Constructive feedback – every entry is assessed by an experienced panel against clear criteria
- Join the ESU community – all participants can sign up to the ESU young alumni network