Results of 2026 Shakespeare Competition
As North America’s largest scholastic Shakespeare event, the Utah Shakespeare Festival and Southern Utah University hosted the 49th annual Shakespeare Competition which drew nearly 3,000 students from 99 schools across Utah, Arizona, Nevada, California, Colorado, and Wisconsin, and was supported by over 300 dedicated coaches and teachers.
From October 1 to 3, participants presented their work before more than 80 expert judges—including seasoned arts professionals and company members from the Festival’s 2026 season. The competition offers training, feedback, and recognition for students in grades 2 through 12 across four disciplines: acting, dance/choreography, music, and technical theatre. Top performers earned trophies, plaques, and scholarships to study alongside industry professionals at Southern Utah University and the Festival.
Schools competed across six distinct divisions: Buckingham (large schools), Oxford (medium schools), Cambridge (medium-small schools), Westminster (small schools), Stratford (junior high and middle schools), and Essex (independent or non-association groups).
“This weekend was truly inspiring,” said Education Director Stewart Shelley. “Seeing so many young artists connect deeply with theatre and Shakespeare is a privilege. It’s an honor to celebrate their exceptional work and watch them thrive in a community that shares their passion.”
ACTING COMPETITION
For the acting portion of the competition, students compete in monologues, duo/trio scenes, and ensembles. Monologue competitors present a two- to four-minute monologue from a Shakespeare play or sonnet for the judges. In the duo/trio scenes competition, two or three actors present a three- to five-minute scene from a Shakespeare play or sonnet. In the ensemble competition, a group of students from a school present a six- to ten-minute Shakespeare scene.
In addition, first, second, and third place overall sweepstake prizes were awarded to the school in each division with the most total points from all categories.
Also, several scholarships are presented in the acting competition.
The first place winners in the duo/trio scene and monologue categories are awarded scholarships to either Southern Utah University or the Utah Shakespeare Festival summer classes, depending on the grade of the student.
Ray Jones Award: Given to seniors, this award is a $1,000 scholarship to Southern Utah University.
Barbara Barrett Award: Given to juniors and under, this award is a $500 scholarship to the Festival’s summer acting intensive Actor Training Camp or Junior Actor Training Camp.
Larry Lott Acting Award: In conjunction with the ensemble competition, judges annually recognize the best actor in an ensemble scene in each division. The recipient of this award received a trophy for his or her accomplishments and, if a senior, a $1,000 scholarship to SUU.
Here are the winners for the Acting Competition.
BUCKINGHAM DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: Skyridge High School
Sweepstakes Second Place: Riverton High School
Sweepstakes Third Place: American Fork High School
Ensemble First Place: American Fork High School
Ensemble Second Place: Westlake High School
Ensemble Third Place: Skyridge High School
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Liam Huff and Lily Neff from Taylorsville High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Liam Gasser and Nicci Hudson from American Fork High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Cade Huizingh, Colin Haslam, and Trenton Lundberg from Riverton High School
Monologue First Place: Chloe Robbins from Skyridge High School
Monologue Second Place: TJ Chisholm from Skyridge High School
Monologue Third Place: Carlos Boscán from Riverton High School
Barbara Barrett Award: Liam Huff and Lily Neff from Taylorsville High School
Larry Lott Acting Award: Drake Nelsen from American Fork High School
OXFORD DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: Hillcrest High School
Sweepstakes Second Place: Brighton High School
Sweepstakes Third Place: Corner Canyon High School
Ensemble First Place: Hillcrest High School
Ensemble Second Place: Brighton High School
Ensemble Third Place: Corner Canyon High School
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Ginger Witkamp, Nico Hodgson, and Sebastian Smith from Hillcrest High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Jaden Nelson and Liam King Brigham from Hunter High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Hyrum Lafeen and Winter Chafetz from Brighton High School
Monologue First Place: Arnav Nair from Hillcrest High School
Monologue Second Place: Elle Stotts from Corner Canyon High School
Monologue Third Place: Grace Scoville from Woods Cross High School
Barbara Barrett Award: Arnav Nair from Hillcrest High School
Larry Lott Acting Award: Alex Droukas from Las Vegas Academy of the Arts
CAMBRIDGE DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: North Sanpete High School
Sweepstakes Second Place: Timpanogos High School
Sweepstakes Third Place: Jordan High School
Ensemble First Place: North Sanpete High School
Ensemble Second Place: Jordan High School
Ensemble Third Place: Timpanogos High School
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Kamron Cox, Nolun Nielsen, and Tavian Smith from North Sanpete High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Adrian Perez and Andrew Richardson from Summit Academy High School
Duo/Trio Third Place: Ellie Thompson, Jane Wren, and Zoey Fletcher from Provo High School
Monologue First Place: Emmy Jensen from Provo High School
Monologue Second Place: Annika Amodt from Hurricane High School
Monologue Third Place: R. Henry Keele from Jordan High School
Barbara Barrett: Emmy Jensen from Provo High School
Larry Lott Acting Award: Misty Bailey from North Sanpete High School
WESTMINSTER DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Sweepstakes Second Place: American Preparatory Academy - Draper 3
Sweepstakes Third Place: Rockwell Charter High School
Ensemble First Place: Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Ensemble Second Place: American Preparatory Academy - Draper 3
Ensemble Third Place: Rockwell Charter High School
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Clark Heinrich, Katira Davis, and Sadie McGhie from Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Brigham Ker, Brogan Juber, Ryker Trumble from Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Avery Stewart, Maddy Watabe, and Mariah Draper Karl G. Maeser Prep Academy-High School
Monologue First Place: Taebria Bybee from Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Monologue Second Place: Sophi Jones from Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Monologue Third Place: Echo Alvarado from City Academy
Ray Jones Award: Taebria Bybee from Liahona Preparatory Academy
Larry Lott Acting Award: McKenna Devanney from Rockwell Charter High School
STRATFORD DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: Karl G. Maeser Prep Academy - Middle School
Sweepstakes Second Place: Vista Heights Middle School
Sweepstakes Third Place: Rockwell Charter Junior High School
Ensemble First Place (tie): Vista Heights Middle School
Ensemble First Place (tie): Vista School
Ensemble Second Place: Rockwell Charter Junior High School
Ensemble Third Place: Karl G. Maeser Prep Academy
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Annie Kotter, Jonah Keele, and Levi Hilmo from Karl G. Maeser Prep Academy - Middle School
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Norah Davidson and Teagan Snow from Lake Mountain Middle
Duo Trio Scenes Third Place: Kennedi Karslven and Kyleen Engman from Vista Heights Middle School
Monologue First Place: Quincy Skousen from Karl G. Maeser Prep Academy - Middle School
Monologue Second Place: June Harrison from Rockwell Charter Junior High School
Monologue Third Place: Cassandra Brown from Rocky Mountain Shakespeare Co. Junior High
Barbara Barrett Award: Quincy Skousen from Karl G. Maeser Prep Academy Middle School
Larry Lott Award: Jaden Bartlett from Lake Mountain Middle School
ESSEX DIVISION
Sweepstakes First Place: First Stage Young Company
Sweepstakes Second Place: Youth Theatre - University of Utah
Sweepstakes Third Place: SALT Shakers
Ensemble First Place: First Stage Young Company
Ensemble Second Place: Youth Theatre - University of Utah
Ensemble Third Place: SALT Shakers
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Ariella Fiederer and Clara Goni Beneke from Ogden Shakespeare Festival-Arden Academy
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Ava Rowley, Brooke Lundstrom, Mark Hokanson from The Kaleidoscope Collective
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Abigail Cashman and Evie Maasen and First Stage Young Company
Monologue First Place: Natalie Ottman from First Stage Young Company
Monologue Second Place: Elsa Johnstone from First Stage Young Company
Monologue Third Place: Lillian Pilstl from Youth Theatre - University of Utah
Barbara Barrett Award: Ariella Fiederer from Ogden Shakespeare Festival-Arden Academy
Ray Jones Award: Clara Goni Beneke from Ogden Shakespeare Festival-Arden Academy
Larry Lott Award: Paisley Stillman from Anchor Academy
DANCE/CHOREOGRAPHY COMPETITION
For the dance portion, students were able to compete in duo/trio or ensemble groups. In the duo/trio competition, two or three dancers presented a three- to six-minute interpretation of a Shakespeare play or sonnet. In the ensemble competition, a group of dancers interpreted a three- to six-minute Shakespeare play or sonnet.
Here are the winners for the Dance/Choreography Competition:
BUCKINGHAM DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: Skyridge High School
Ensemble Second Place: Lone Peak High School
Ensemble Third Place: Westlake High School
Duo/Trio First Place: Alexa Valladares, Brinley Young, and Emilyn Johnson from Skyridge High School
Duo/Trio Second Place: Amelia Allan, Dara Rossiter, and Mylie Makin from Lone Peak High School
Duo/Trio Third Place: Chloe Norris, Kamryn Schoepke, Nora Mendenhall from Skyridge High School
OXFORD DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: Olympus High School
Ensemble Second Place: Kearns High School
Ensemble Third Place: Timpview High School
Duo/Trio First Place: Allison Dominguez, Haley Wood, and Madilyn Filby from Kearns High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Lillian Young, Mariia Voronetska, and Shaylee Elder from Timpview High School
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Alyse Allred, Libby Bruschke, and Octavia Gordon from Olympus High School.
CAMBRIDGE DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: Timpanogos High School
Ensemble Second Place: Orem High School
Ensemble Third Place: Provo High School
Duo/Trio First Place: Alivia Dean, Lucy Keller, and Sophie Cutler from Orem high School
Duo/Trio Second Place: Avery Greene, Emily Nielson, and Raegyn Burrup from Timpanogos High School
Duo/Trio Third Place: Ashlyn Burrup, Kristen Ehat, and Shelby Duke from Timpanogos High School
WESTMINSTER DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Ensemble Second Place: Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy - High School
Ensemble Third Place: Juan Diego Catholic High School
Duo/Trio First Place: James Fox and Jordan Hurley from Liahona Preparatory Academy - High School
Duo/Trio Second Place: Eliza George and Liesel Hanson from Karl G. Maeser Preparatory Academy - High School
Duo/Trio Third Place: Audrey Cole and Hannah Klaja from Intermountain Christian School
STRATFORD DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: Vista School
Ensemble Second Place: Lake Mountain Middle School
Ensemble Third Place: NA
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Jax Davis, Loya Wainwright, and Marshall Bracey from Vista School
Duo/Trio Scenes Second Place: Allie Dow, Kate Collins, Sophia Valdez from Lake Mountain Middle School
Duo/Trio Scenes Third Place: Claire Jacobsen and Mckinley Larsen from Crimson Cliffs Middle School
ESSEX DIVISION
Ensemble First Place: Youth Theatre at the University of Utah
Ensemble Second Place: Youth Leaders for America
Ensemble Third Place: Ogden Shakespeare Festival - Arden Academy
Duo/Trio Scenes First Place: Clara Goñi Beneke, Isaac Wandrey, Lillyan Lacey from Ogden Shakespeare Festival - Arden Academy
MUSIC COMPETITION
The music competition encourages students to explore the music of the Renaissance (music prior to 1650). Students were encouraged to utilize creative combinations of instruments; however, no instrumentation was required. The competition was split into four divisions: Troubadour (one to five participants), Minstrel (six to ten participants), Canzonetta (six to 16 participants), and Madrigal (17 plus participants). Choral pieces could be up to ten minutes in length.
Here are the winners for the Music Competition:
LARGE SCHOOLS
TROUBADOUR
First Place: Cache Diederich, Chloe Maddox, Danica Herring, Elle Stotts, and Isaac Nichols from Corner Canyon High School
Second Place: Alex Bown, Courtney Bradfield, Haedyn Fox, Scarlett Bohls, and Taya Dean from Herriman High School
Third Place: Enzo Stokes, Lonami Herrera Alejo, and Titus Tyler from Jordan High School
MINSTREL
First Place: Payson High School
Second Place: Herriman High School
Third Place: Corner Canyon High School
CANZONETTA
First Place: Payson High School
Second Place: Corner Canyon High School
Third Place: Herriman High School
MADRIGAL
First Place: Herriman High School
Second Place: Corner Canyon High School
Third Place: Jordan High School
SWEEPSTAKES
First Place: Corner Canyon High School
Second Place: Herriman High School
Third Place: Jordan High School
SMALL SCHOOLS
TROUBADOUR
First Place: Lindsay Grimshaw from Canyon View High School
Second Place: Ashley Bautista, Clara Whatcott, Draco Magdaleno, Kaysha Jean Baptiste, and Sam Rusby from Freedom Preparatory Academy High School
Third Place: Angela Hastings, Aurora Hamilton, Presley Taylor Call, and Scarlet Thomason from City Academy
MINSTREL
First Place: City Academy
Second Place: Pacifica Christian High School
CANZONETTA
First Place: Youth Theatre - University of Utah
Second Place: Desert Star High School
Third Place: Karl G. Maeser Prep Academy - High School
MADRIGAL
First Place: Canyon View High School
Second Place: Freedom Preparatory Academy High School
Third Place: American Preparatory Academy - Draper 3
SWEEPSTAKES
First Place: Canyon View High School
Second Place: Freedom Preparatory Academy High School
Third Place: City Academy
TECHNICAL THEATRE COMPETITION
The final competition was in the technical theatre area for students who work behind-the-scenes creating sound, lighting, props, scenery, make-up, and costumes. In the portfolio area, students were given the chance to have their technical and/or design portfolios evaluated by professionals in technical theatre. Technical theatre students were able to compete in Tech Olympics, with winners named in costumes, lighting, make-up, props, rigging, set construction, sound, and stage management. Overall school winners were also named. The best portfolio and runners-up were also recognized.
TECH OLYMPICS––INDIVIDUAL WINNERS
Costumes: Layla Anderson from Riverton High School
Lighting: Eli Skinner from Hillcrest High School
Make-up: Araceli Ibarra from Mountain Ridge High School
Props: Lena Seely from Alta High School
Rigging: Isaac Nichols from Corner Canyon High School
Carpentry: Gaige Dupaix from Mountain Ridge High School
Audio: Stuart Ellingford from Orem High School
Stage Management: Grace Scoville from Woods Cross High School
TECH OLYMPICS––OVERALL WINNERS
First Place (Gold Drill): Hillcrest High School (Overall Time = 9 min 35 sec)
Second Place (Silver Spotlight): Orem High School (Overall Time = 12 min 00 sec)
Third Place (Bronze Boot): Mountain Ridge High School (Overall Time = 12 min 47 sec)
TECH PORTFOLIO WINNERS
Overall Winner: Rowan Willis from Hillcrest High School
Runners-up: Kaden Vidovic-Jones from Hillcrest High School
Third Place: Ioanna Ge from The Meadows School
For more information on the Shakespeare Competition, visit competition.bard.org.
