With a monologue as the Jailer’s Daughter from Two Noble Kinsmen, Maribel Leddy ’14 won the Western New York region in the 11th Annual Shakespeare Competition that was held at SEM on March 15. Each contestant must do a play monologue and recite a sonnet. Maribel chose Sonnet 76: “Why is my verse so barren of new pride?”
Maribel reenacted her winning at morning meeting on March 17 - you can watch the video here.
“It feels absolutely amazing to win,” said Maribel, “I have to admit that I didn't think I could do it! I'm ecstatic for the chance to go to New York City and experience all of the Shakespeare. The best part is being able to meet more people who appreciate and understand Shakespeare, and to learn from them while I'm there.”
First runner-up was Zachary Thomas of Ken-West who did a monologue from Julius Caesar and Sonnet 116; and second runner-up was Ahmik Jacob who bravely chose a monologue by the evil Aaron from Titus Andronicus, and Sonnet 149.
The English-Speaking Union of the United States sponsors this annual national contest that culminates when high school students from across the U.S. compete May 4-6 at Lincoln Center in New York City.
Maribel said her SEM theater teacher Susan Drozd “carefully kindled,” her love of Shakespeare. “Even last year, I couldn't imagine myself winning a Shakespeare competition. Now, however, I know that with the help of Shakespeare, Ms. Drozd's wonderful teaching, and the endless support of the rest of the SEM community, I have gained the confidence that helped me win on Saturday.”
Maribel was cheered on by her parents and sister, Ms. Drozd and almost a dozen of her fellow SEM theater students. “She worked really hard in preparation for Saturday and was up against stiff competition. In the end, I believe her love of Shakespeare shined through. That was palpable. It will be great to watch her fill Lincoln Center with that excitement,” said Ms. Drozd.
Ms. Drozd also coached Eliza Hopkins ’13, who won the WNY region for SEM in 2012 and 2013.
Students who competed on Saturday were Hiyam Darbo from Hutch-Tech, Ahmik Jacob from Williamsville South, Nina Koelmeyer from Springville-Griffith Institute, Lorna Krabill from Williamsville East, Maribel Leddy from SEM, and Zachary Thomas from Ken-West.
Nationally, more than 250,000 students have appeared in the competition since it began in 1983.
The competition was held at SEM and hosted by Al Franco and judged by Dr. Saul Elkin and Vincent O’Neill.
Dr. Elkin is a Distinguished Service Professor of Theater at UB, where he has taught for 35 years and chaired the department for 15 years. He is also the founder and artistic director of Shakespeare in Delaware Park and co-founder and artistic director of the Jewish Repertory Theater of WNY. Dr. Elkin has a B.A. and M.F.A from Columbia University and a Ph.D from Carnegie-Mellon University.
Vincent O’Neill is a director, actor and mime artist, and lecturer in the latter two. He is a graduate of University College Dublin and of Trinity College. He trained as an actor at the Abbey Theatre School and as a mime at Marcel Marceau’s International Mime School in Paris. A past member of the Abbey Theatre Company, he is now artistic director of the Irish Classical Theatre Company in Buffalo.
Maribel is Johns Hopkins Class of 2017.
