Finding a Shakespearean Monologue
Select one Shakespearian monologue to study and perform for class. This should be from a work that you have not worked on previously, or currently, for another project or class.
Once you have chosen your monologue, you can sign up for it. Please check the sign up list to make sure that you're not signing up for a monologue that has already been claimed (scroll to the bottom of this page to see that sign up list). You will need to know play name, character name, act, scene, and line numbers, and monologue number.
Make sure that the monologue and sonnet are not in red on the list (selections in red are not allowed to advance to the next levels of competition).
All monologues should be chosen from the list below. (NOTE: There are still some issues with this list. However, the only monologues on this list that are not eligible in 2024 are numbers 2, 70, and 124. All others are now eligible, even the ones in red)
Click here for the approved monologue list
To compete at the branch competition (or higher), you will also need to prepare and present a Shakespearean sonnet from the ESU approved list.
Click here for the approved sonnet list.
Click here for information on the Shakespeare Competition Levels (School, Branch, and National.
Click here to view videos of past National Shakespeare Competitions (playlists of individual years include the national top 10 finishers from that year)
*To access the full plays, open http://www.folgerdigitaltexts.org/
These monologues will be graded on the basics of monologue work (projection, diction, physicalization, characterization).
A few notes from the ESU website:
Students should speak naturally. We urge them to use their own voice rather than affect a British accent. (no accents will be allowed for the class project)
Students should not wear costumes or use props of any kinds; including chairs, hair clips, jewelry, hats or any other added costume pieces (basic daily clothing, nothing that gets in the way of acting).
You should identify the selection before you begin.
To access the ESU’s website:
http://www.esuus.org/esu/programs/shakespeare_competition/
Once you have chosen your monologue, you can sign up for it. Please check the sign up list to make sure that you're not signing up for a monologue that has already been claimed (scroll to the bottom of this page to see that sign up list). You will need to know play name, character name, act, scene, and line numbers, and monologue number.
Make sure that the monologue and sonnet are not in red on the list (selections in red are not allowed to advance to the next levels of competition).
All monologues should be chosen from the list below. (NOTE: There are still some issues with this list. However, the only monologues on this list that are not eligible in 2024 are numbers 2, 70, and 124. All others are now eligible, even the ones in red)
Click here for the approved monologue list
To compete at the branch competition (or higher), you will also need to prepare and present a Shakespearean sonnet from the ESU approved list.
Click here for the approved sonnet list.
Click here for information on the Shakespeare Competition Levels (School, Branch, and National.
Click here to view videos of past National Shakespeare Competitions (playlists of individual years include the national top 10 finishers from that year)
*To access the full plays, open http://www.folgerdigitaltexts.org/
These monologues will be graded on the basics of monologue work (projection, diction, physicalization, characterization).
A few notes from the ESU website:
Students should speak naturally. We urge them to use their own voice rather than affect a British accent. (no accents will be allowed for the class project)
Students should not wear costumes or use props of any kinds; including chairs, hair clips, jewelry, hats or any other added costume pieces (basic daily clothing, nothing that gets in the way of acting).
You should identify the selection before you begin.
To access the ESU’s website:
http://www.esuus.org/esu/programs/shakespeare_competition/