GCS Student Wins Shakespeare Recitation Competition

March 4, 2008

With the timeless words of William Shakespeare perfectly memorized and performed, Antiqua Maberson, a senior at The Middle College at Bennett, placed first in the English-Speaking Union’s Annual Shakespeare Recitation Competition on Saturday, March 1.

Maberson’s captivating performance of a Macbeth monologue and sonnet awarded her the $500 grand prize. Following her recognition, Maberson explained that the contest was tremendously fun. “I love acting as other people,” she said. “It’s an escape for me.”

Maberson will travel to New York City through an all-expense paid trip during which she will participate in the national competition from April 26 to 28. In addition to competing, all participants will attend a workshop at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts and explore the Big Apple. The national winner will receive a full tuition scholarship for the prestigious British American Drama Academy’s Midsummer Conservatory Program in Oxford, England this summer.

Another Guilford County Schools student, Briana Steele of Southeast High, also competed and placed third after repeating her performance due to an unprecedented tie with Nate Headen of Northeast High. Steele received $100 for her placement.

The English-Speaking Union, an organization that promotes the study of Shakespeare’s works, sponsors the Shakespeare Competition to encourage students to develop their literary and dramatic talents. Started in 1983, the program currently includes more than 8,500 participants sponsored by 54 branches.