Pittsburgh Public Theater

Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest

This annual winter event is open to all elementary, middle and high school students in grades 4-12. Anyone interested in the works of William Shakespeare who would like to perform a monologue or a scene is welcome to participate. You may enter as part of a school group or on your own.

"This [contest] is invaluable--memorization, understanding literature in a language that they are not used to reading, hearing, and speaking-- great public speaking experience."

-Parent, Blackburn Study Center

Contestants present their pieces on The Public's main stage in front of a panel of judges. Those who advance to the final round of the contest have the opportunity to perform before an audience at the Showcase of Finalists.

At age 17, Lara Hillier made her professional acting debut at Pittsburgh Public Theater as Miranda in The Tempest, opposite Theater Hall of Fame-inductee Brian Murray. Hillier, a four-time Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Contest winner, credits Pittsburgh Public Theater with being "an inspiration in every sense of the word."

"The staff's commitment to introducing Shakespeare to a younger generation is enormously inspiring. The individual attention paid to each and every performance [during the contest] is remarkable. Kids develop an appreciation for classical theater, and they enjoy it. I've gained wonderful memories, friendships and performance opportunities that I will never forget."
- Lara Hillier, Shakespeare Contest participant and four-time winner

All student participants receive a Pittsburgh Public Theater T-shirt and two complimentary passes to a Pittsburgh Public Theater production. All finalists receive Shakespearean texts and each winner receives two Gold Flex Plans and the Arden Shakespeare Complete Works.

BE A PART OF THE 16TH ANNUAL SHAKESPEARE MONOLOGUE AND SCENE CONTEST!

YOU COULD BE CHOSEN TO PERFORM IN THE SHOWCASE OF FINALISTS ON FEBRUARY 15, 2010 ON THE O'REILLY STAGE!

ONLINE REGISTRATION: NOVEMBER 1, 2009

COACHING: JANUARY 16-FEBRUARY 2, 2010

THE PRELIMINARY ROUND: FEBRUARY 5-12, 2010

SHOWCASE OF FINALISTS: FEBRUARY 15, 2010

• The contest is open to all students in grades 4 -12.
• No previous acting experience necessary.
•  Choose a monologue (20-25 lines minimum) or scene (no more than 5 minutes) from any Shakespeare play.
• All scene performers must be active participants.
• Students may participate in either the monologue or scene contest, or both.
• Monologues and scenes must be memorized - prompting of any kind will not be permitted.
• Don't worry about costumes and props; think about actions and words.
•  All participants receive a free t-shirt and two passes to a Public Theater show!

Any questions, please email Rob Zellers at rzellers@ppt.org 

Registration is now closed.

Click here to read news articles about the 2008 Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest.

Click here for a list of Recommended Monologues.

Click here for a list of Suggested Scenes.

Click here to view the 2008 Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest Winners.

Click here to view the 2008 Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest Finalists.

Many thanks to the sponsors of the
2009 Annual Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest.