The English Speaking Union will hold its 6th annual Shakespeare competition February 27 at 2:30 p.m. in Room 411.

Participants will perform a memorized Shakespearian monologue and sonnet, that will a panel of judges will critique.

Only two will advance to the 23rd Annual Washington D.C. competition on March 11 at the Lansburg Theater.

“In the five of the six years we [South Lakes] have participated in the competition, we have been in the top 10,” English teacher Kim Small said.

Competition leaders Small and Mary Morris emphasize the importance of going beyond simply reciting lines when participants perform in front of judges.

“Every word has a purpose. You can’t just memorize it, you have to know the meaning,” Morris said.

The English Speaking Union holds activities throughout the year with the objective of appreciating the English language.

“The English Speaking Union celebrates the English language and this [the Shakespeare competition] is the crown jewel of all its activities,” Small said.

Prior to the school wide competition there will be a “Master Acting Workshop” in Washington, D.C. February 23.