I tend to be a very reserved person who shys away from public speaking. But last month, I decided to do something CRAZY and out of character–I auditioned for the school Shakespeare competition. In this competition, you find a 10-20 line monologue in any one of Shakespeare’s plays, memorize it, and recite it with enthusiasm, expression, and gesticulations. I chose Act 2, Scene 1, lines 18-31 said by Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream I became the school champion! Great, huh? I must have always had dramatic prowess buried deep within me, waiting to emerge!!
Well, not really. Usually there are 15ish people in my school who try out for this competition, but strangely, this year I was the only SERIOUS candidate. The other two people who took part in the school Shakespeare competition were pawns. They were just there so there could actually * be * a competition (there had to be a minimum of three people participating from each high school to declare a winner).
On Feb. 26, I will participate in the much more competetive regional competition. I feel so anxious and excited for it! For this, I also have to recite a sonnet. I choose Sonnet 12 because of the clear imagery and its evocation of the sombre passage of time that brings all life and vitality to an end.
Should I really mention the Shakespeare competition in my resume or tell the admissions counselors about it since there was practically no contest for it? On the other had, I enjoyed bringing to life Shakespeare’s verse and I feel more confident about public speaking. Would it be a bad idea in my upcoming interviews to suddenly get up, with a burst of theatrical passion, and recite my monologue/sonnet? Would he/she think it’s a neat demonstration or would the adcon think I’m a complete weirdo?
<p>Also, I wondering if anyone here has auditioned or knows someone else who auditioned for the National Shakespeare Competiton? If so, can you give me any pointers since I am very new to this (last school play I was in was "Homeroom" in junior high. i belonged to the "chorus", had one speaking line and no solo!).</p>
<p>Well done! Good for you in being inspired and going after this. Bravo! I, very unexpectedly, won first place in an LA County-wide competition (that is huge--thousands of competeting schools) in a scene from Midsummer Night's Dream. I was part of an ensemble and played Puck. </p>
<p>I really didn't "get it" about the piece, but I auditioned well. We had hilarious players. This was back in the 70's, when people who went to my HS were Kevin Spacey, Val Kilmer and Mare Winningham, among others equally as wonderful. Unfortunately for me, Mare won in a fantastic monologue as Puck. As soon as I saw her practicing, I lost my way of doing my own Puck. My rehearsals suffered much in comparison and my spirit was dampened. The teacher saw I was struggling, so sent Mare to rehearse me--a disasterious move. All turned out well when we won, as did Mare. I was not a asset, but perhaps adequate in a small role. If only I know how to communicate what was going on.</p>
<p>So advice is to be confident and true. What is true for you is that you won the competition. Why do you try to couch it in excuses? Why in the world would you go out of you way to put yourself down and explain to people who aren't asking, how this is really a sham? Why would you think it is in the first place? You won the competition --full stop. Do you also go around and tell people how you got an A in a class, but it was really an accident because other ppl didn't do as well as they could have and beat you out?</p>
<p>As to the 2nd question: wierdo is the answer, I'm pretty surprised you have to ask.</p>
<p>Lastly, of course put this on EC's or whatnot. Resumes? I don't like them, but if it's not too junked up with random stuff, add it. If you win any further place, write the school and let them know, very briefly. Go with it, and don't let pressure get to you like it did me.</p>
<p>Mention it, especially if it something really different for you, in your interview, you can bring it up by talking about how you like the college because it has so many possiblities for you to explore new things, you are ready to see what you are capable of, and mention how exciting it was and how much you learned by trying something new. As Bettina said, take pride in what you did, you earned it!!!</p>
<p>Sure, mention it. Why not? My son was a finalist in science in our county Academic All Star competition, and we listed it on his resume. Did we mention that he was the only one from his school to compete in science? Or that there were only eight people in the competition for the eight finalist positions? Noooo... He still had to make up a big portfolio and be interviewed by practicing scientists from the area, so it wasn't like he didn't do ANYTHING.</p>
<p>Thanks for the encouragment guys! I'll definitely it on my ec's list and mention it in upcoming interviews. I really enjoyed trying something new, but I'm so nervous for the regionals. Everyone there will be competetive people who've been in theatre all their life, not neophytes like me...but I'll just give it my best shot and not compare myself to all the accomplished thespians.</p>
Usually there are 15ish people in my school who try out for this competition, but strangely, this year I was the only SERIOUS candidate. The other two people who took part in the school Shakespeare competition were pawns. They were just there so there could actually * be * a competition (there had to be a minimum of three people participating from each high school to declare a winner).