Michigan Shakespeare Festival Monologue Contest Announced

JACKSON, Mich., May 4, 2010 – The Michigan Shakespeare Festival announced today it is expanding its annual High School Shakespeare Monologue Contest. With the support of Dawn Foods Foundation, Michigan Automotive Compressor, Inc., and Whole Foods Market, the festival will provide rigorous performance and competition opportunities along with cash prizes.

Regional competitions will be held May 15 in Ann Arbor, sponsored by Whole Foods Market and Jackson, sponsored by Dawn Foods Foundation. The top four contestants from each site advancing to the state finals, sponsored by Michigan Automotive Compressor, Inc., on July 31, 2010.

“I am extremely pleased that this year we are able to expand the scope of the monologue contest,” managing director, Robert Duha said. “As with our recent High School tour of Romeo & Juliet and our summer children’s production, we hope to create lifelong lovers of theatre through our educational outreach efforts.”

Regional participants will perform a memorized monologue from a Shakespeare play of less than two minutes before a panel of judges. In addition to advancing to the state finals, the top two finishers in each region will also receive a $200 award, four tickets to the Michigan Shakespeare Festival’s 2010 season, and recognition in the season program. The winner of the state competition will receive a $350 award.

Students can download an application form and find a list of rules and guidelines at www.MichiganShakespeareFestival.com

Entry deadline is May 10, 2010.

Regional locations (both scheduled for 10:30 am May 15, 2010)
Ann Arbor: Whole Foods Market, 3135 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor MI, 48104
Jackson: The Shakespeare Room, Jackson High School, 244 Wildwood Ave. Jackson, MI 49201
State finals (scheduled for Saturday, July 31, 2010)
Jackson: The Michael Baughman Theatre, on the campus of the Jackson Community College