Passion and performance came together as Dwight’s talented students brought a myriad of scenes to life at this year’s National Shakespeare Competition. After grade-wide and semi-final rounds judged by their English teachers, they landed in the culminating round at Dwight, where they showcased their final monologues to a panel of judges to determine the School champion.

In the end, senior Olivia Beal took home the win with her quirky, fun, and spirited take on Phoebe, the love interest and leading lady in As You Like It, from Act 3, Scene 5. During her time on stage, Olivia portrayed a perfect example of the ebbs and flows of adolescent romance, using her space wisely — taking different levels on the stage to make her twitchy performance of Phoebe more visually compelling.

Olivia and her fellow Dwight competitors are just a few among 25,000 students across the country who participate in this event annually, which is not only a highlight of the academic calendar for our English Department, but also a very special tradition for our School. The event was launched by Dr. Paul Beresford-Hill MBE, former Head of the Anglo-American International School, which merged with Dwight in 1993. He also served as Head of the English Speaking Union, which has sponsored the nationwide competition since 1983, and introduced the oratory match-up at Anglo in 1975. This year, the ESU, established in 1983, is celebrating the 42nd anniversary of this prestigious competition.

The rules require that students deliver passionate, compelling monologues without relying on accents, costumes, or props. Their performances are stripped down to showcase their mastery of the material and skills; they are judged on their voice, body movements, expression, and emotion.

A number of contestants honed their acting sparks of genius in Dwight’s IB and after-school theater programs and productions. 

Our community gathered to witness the competition hosted by Michael Wiesenfeld, Head of the English Department, and judged by Middle School Theater Teacher Katie Greene, former thespian turned Head of College Counseling Shellee Hendricks, English scholar and Quest Teacher Nadia Kardan, and Upper School Theater Teacher Terry Christgau. 

We extend congratulations to all of our finalists listed below. The winner of each grade level is indicated with an asterisk (*).   

Grade 9 

• *Vivien Jan, Hamlet, Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2
• Skylar Krasik, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Helena, Act 3, Scene 2
• Filippo Maria Milone, Romeo and Juliet, Benvolio, Act 3, Scene 1

Grade 10

• Lillian Beal, Romeo and Juliet, Juliet, Act 3, Scene 2
• *Willem Kraaijeveld, Hamlet, Hamlet, Act 2, Scene 2
• Marta Larini, The Two Noble Kinsmen, Jailer’s Daughter, Act 2, Scene 4

Grade 11

• Katia Dubois-Pelerin Sanz, All’s Well That Ends Well, Helen, Act 1, Scene 1
• *Ella Knox, Macbeth, Macbeth, Act 2, Scene 1
• *Oliver Wyatt, Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, Act 5, Scene 1
• Michelle Zayons, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Helena, Act 3, Scene 2

Grade 12

• *Olivia Beal, As You Like It, Phoebe, Act 3, Scene 5 
• Zayneb Sumar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Helena, Act 3, Scene 2

We congratulate Olivia, who successfully represented Dwight at the New York City Semi-Final Round, won her level, and is now advancing to the New York City Final Round on February 25, 2025.