Merion Mercy Students Take First and Second Place at Philadelphia’s Shakespeare Competition

Each February, Merion Mercy Academy holds its annual celebration of Shakespeare by inviting students to compete for the National Shakespeare Competition. Sponsored by the English-Speaking Union, this performance-based educational program serves grades 9-12. Participants read, analyze, memorize, perform and recite Shakespearean monologues and sonnets in three qualifying stages: at the school, community (Branch) and national levels. This year, Merion Mercy students Casey Fosbenner ‘24 and Alex Segreti ‘25 took first and second place, respectively, at Philadelphia’s Branch competition.

Held at the Museum of the American Revolution on February 26, the Branch competition required contestants to present their prepared sonnets and monologues and also to prepare and deliver a cold reading of an additional Shakespeare monologue. Fosbenner and Segreti will present their monologues again and receive scholarship checks at an ESU reception in March. According to Merion Mercy English teacher and department chair Patricia Sack, MMA students have won the community (Branch) competition "more often than any other school in its history."

As the first place winner of Philadelphia’s Branch competition, Fosbenner will advance to the national competition held in New York City at Lincoln Center in April. First prize at the national competition is a scholarship to attend the British American Drama Academy Mid-Summer Conservatory Program. Second prize is a scholarship to attend the American Shakespeare Center Theatre Camp; and third prize is $1,000.