COVID can’t stop Shakespeare contest

Junior Andra Benson took first place in Lansing High School’s round of the 2021 National Shakespeare Competition for her performance of Isabella’s monologue from the play “Measure for Measure.” Senior Audrey Lauzun took second place, and senior Monique Kapur-Mauleon was third.

Lansing Theatre and Performing Arts Booster Club (LTAPA) awarded Benson $150 for her performance. She will add a sonnet to her repertoire and record an entry for the regional event in Syracuse with an eye toward a place in the national competition in New York City.

Seventeen students memorized and recorded 20-line monologues from Shakespeare’s 38 plays at home to enter the contest. It’s a new high for the annual competition and a number made more remarkable by the challenge of just attending school in a pandemic.

“It’s been really easy for folks to withdraw, understandably,” said Nick Johnson, high school librarian and one of the contest’s three judges. “For all of you to put yourself out there is a real joy to see.”

Contest Coordinator Mary Beth Fantacone remarked on the benefits of the virtual contest.

“One of the nice things about being online this year was the ability to go back and rewatch performances,” she said. “And we needed to do that. There was so much talent and a lot of new talent. The competition was fierce.”

Benson’s performance was “outstanding,” said teacher and judge Wendy Cremeens.

“Great control of language, of outrage, of emotion — you had ownership of all that,” she said. “Your physical movements showed through, the character getting angry and pulling back, the internal struggle. You can see that through your performance.”

It was Benson’s second try at the contest.

“I did it last year — I was convinced to do it at the last minute — and I was told that I should act more, rather than just reciting,” she said. “So, this year, I took it everywhere. If I went skiing, it was in my ski jacket. I had my brother and sister Abram and Zaylee test me on it.”

In the passage she chose, nun Isabella is angry with her brother Claudio as he asks her to give her virginity in exchange for his freedom.

“I liked what Isabella is angry about — I am blowing up on him,” Benson said. “I was shouting around the house, and my mom was wondering why I was shouting.”

Though she has been in school dramas and musicals since the fifth grade, Benson said that she doesn’t see herself in main roles or as an actor.

“Maybe this is the beginning of that,” she said.

Lauzun chose Ophelia’s speech from Hamlet. Judge Marce Bean praised her pace, understanding and emotionality.

“You embody Ophelia, with a feel for what was going on in the passage,” she said. “I am hoping that this is just the beginning for you. I see you doing wonderful things.”

Kapur-Mauleon performed as a witch from the opening scene of Macbeth.

“You’ve done this a couple of times, and I’ve enjoyed watching you grow,” Johnson said. “This is a really challenging part. It’s easy to make it one-dimensional, and you brought a lot of richness and rhythm to it. You had a masterful control of the physical movements.”

Also competing were Bailey Waters, Elena Gaffney, Domenica Reeve, Kaleb Reeves, Sophie Scanlon, Gabrielle Desnoes, Dakota Brooks, Abigail Silva, Loveta Geesey, Oscar Thomas, Anna Baese, Ryan Hsu, Gillian Ross and Audrey Lyons.

“Everyone went above and beyond this year,” Fantacone told the contestants. “I want you all to come back. I will hound you in hallways to come back.”

Fantacone said the students and judges alike enjoyed the opportunity.

“The live event is so special and fun for the students and me,” Fantacone said. “The camaraderie and support we physically and emotionally give each other is missing from the competition this year. But — and I am so grateful and excited to say — there was still a competition.”