Tiana Mudzimurema proudly represented the State of Indiana in the 35th Annual National Shakespeare Competition, held in New York City.
April 23 may have been a normal Monday for most of America, but as the birthday of William Shakespeare and the day that fifty-five high school students competed on stage in the Mitzi Newhouse Theater at Lincoln Center as the culmination of a year-long competition hosted by the English-Speaking Union (ESU).
Each year, more than 20,000 high school students participate in the English in Action National Shakespeare Competition at the school, regional and national levels through the help of more than 2,500 teachers and 55 ESU branches nationwide. As part of the competition, students perform a monologue and recite a sonnet from Shakespeare and are judged on their understanding of their selected texts and on their ability to communicate their interpretation to the audience. Through this school-based program, students in grades 9-12 develop critical thinking and speaking skills and increase their self-confidence through performance of Shakespeare's work.
Tiana did not advance to the final round of ten, but her performance was inspiring and received many great reviews! She also got to meet one of her idols, actress Dana Ivey.