Cape student Alli Payne wins first place in ESU Shakespeare competition
Cape Henlopen High School Theatre senior Alli Payne won first place in the state division of the English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare Competition March 7. Payne captivated the judges with her powerful transformation as Lady Macbeth.
Martha Pfeiffer, director of the Cape Henlopen Theatre Academy, coached Payne to prepare for the competition, after she won for the school. Adjudicators included Dr. T. Paul Pfeiffer, director of the theatre program at Salisbury University; Dr. James Keegan, associate professor at the University of Delaware and member of the American Shakespeare Center; and Chris Schimp, actor, director and board member of the South Camden Theatre Company. The judges were unanimous in feeling that the students’ hard work paid off, as they deliberated over their decision.
This was the first time the event has been held in Sussex County, as in past years, the competition has always been held upstate. “I am so glad that we got the green light to hold it here, in our beautiful theatre,” Pfeiffer said, “The event went very well. We had winners from schools all across the state competing on our stage, so I wanted to give them a memorable experience.”
In addition to hiring three professional judges and a master of the revels to entertain between performances, Pfeiffer purchased trophies for all competitors and provided refreshments for audience members. “In other competitions, only the top three finalists received a trophy. I wanted everyone to have something to take home with them. In my book, they are all winners.”
The competition was supported in part by a $1,500 grant from the Cape Henlopen Educational Foundation. A nonprofit organization, CHEF funds a wide variety of educational development programs and activities at the eight Cape schools, including teacher grants, performing arts scholarships and anti-bullying and homelessness programs.
“I am so grateful to CHEF for their generous support in making this happen,” Pfeiffer added. “A lot of people from across the state came out to support this event. We had some very talented kids on the stage, and now one of them will go on to compete in New York City this spring. Alli is such an intense and committed actress. I am so proud of her.” Payne received an all expense paid trip to both compete and perform at Lincoln Center this April.
The trip also includes exclusive acting workshops, sightseeing activities and spending the weekend with 60 fellow teenage aficionados of The Bard. The winner of the ESU National Shakespeare Competition will receive an all-expenses-paid trip to study acting in England at the world famous Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.
Martha Pfeiffer has nothing but praise for the ESU competition. “I was the recipient of this award my first year as the director of the CHHS Theatre Academy, and the experience of studying Shakespeare at the Globe, educated by professional actors, dancers, directors and scholars, was truly life changing."
Payne will be performing the role of Reno Sweeney in the Cape Henlopen Theatre Academy’s spring production of "Anything Goes" in April.
