2026 Results

More than 1,000 students from over 80 area schools competed in the preliminary rounds of the 32nd Annual Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest at the Pittsburgh Public Theater.

Teams of judges evaluated each participant, and the finalists from each division are listed below. You will also find a list of this year’s Honorable Mentions. The Upper Division consists of students in grades 8–12, while the Lower Division includes students in grades 4–7. The Showcase of Finalists was held live at The O’Reilly on Monday, February 23, 2026, at 7:00pm.

Judges for this year’s Showcase of Finalists included: Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Performer of the Year, Ken Bolden, esteemed member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, Lindsay Powell, accomplished actor in Pittsburgh Public Theater's Primary Trust, Bria Walker-Rhoze, and award-winning playwright and Pittsburgh Public Theater Resident Artist, TJ Young.

2026 WINNERS

LOWER DIVISION SCENE
John Paul Richthammmer (Mercutio), Nick Crawford (Benvolio), Teddy Burchill (Tybalt), Ethan Mullican (Romeo)
7th grade, Aquinas Middle School, Romeo and Juliet

LOWER DIVISION MONOLOGUE 
John Henry Anderson (Malvolio)
7th grade, The Brookline Bards, Twelfth Night

UPPER DIVISION SCENE - TIE
Jae Saunders (Lord Capulet), Calise Cowans (Juliet), Noelle Brubaker (Lady Capulet), Elizabeth Ansell (Nurse)
10-12th grade, Woodland Hills High School, Romeo and Juliet

Lily Fontaine (Juliet), Jackson Conforti (Romeo)
11th grade, Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School, Romeo and Juliet

UPPER DIVISION MONOLOGUE
Ace Laughlin (Mark Antony)
12th grade, Salt and Light Homeschool Co-op, Julius Caesar

2026 ROB ZELLERS AWARD
Rosh Raines from Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School