WEST CHESTER, PA — Nearly 200 student performers from across Chester County took the stage at the 37th Annual Chester County Shakespeare Festival on May 20, transforming the Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center into a lively celebration of literature, theater, and student creativity.
The annual festival, organized by the Chester County Intermediate Unit in partnership with Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, sponsored by CCRES Educational and Behavioral Health Services, brought together elementary, middle, and high school students for a day filled with performances, workshops, and Shakespeare-inspired learning.
This year’s event marked a major milestone with the introduction of the festival’s first-ever High School Sonnet and Monologue Competition, welcoming high school students back to the stage for the first time in years. Seven students competed by performing memorized sonnets and monologues, showcasing their talent and interpretation of Shakespeare’s work before judges and fellow participants.
Moth O’Leary of Downingtown West High School earned the inaugural first-place title and received the opportunity to perform at an upcoming Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center opening event, along with a $500 credit toward classes at the venue.
“I got to perform a beloved piece I had recited many times in front of a fresh audience in a whole new space,” O’Leary said. “I felt like I connected with my fellow performers, gained more knowledge surrounding Shakespeare and his legacy, and have become more confident in understanding and performing Shakespeare’s works thanks to this wonderful opportunity.”
Aaron Greenslade of PA Leadership Charter School earned second place, while Abby DePietropaolo of Downingtown West High School finished third. Roni Salinas-Evans of Downingtown West High School received an honorable mention.
Beyond the competition, students and attendees enjoyed performances from elementary and middle school groups presenting creative adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays. The atmosphere throughout the day was energetic, supportive, and educational, with students learning from one another both on and off the stage.
Actor and musical theater performer Andrew Rahm served as emcee, entertaining audiences with Shakespearean trivia and stories about the playwright’s life while helping connect the performances into a memorable festival experience.
Students also participated in grade-specific workshops led by theater professionals Ray Hilton, Jamie Hilton, and Gina Stickley. Coordinated through Uptown!’s education team under the direction of Therese Walden-Murphy, the workshops provided participants with hands-on instruction and feedback designed to strengthen their performance skills and appreciation for the arts.
“This year’s Shakespeare Festival was so amazing,” said Mia Fries, a Brandywine Virtual Academy instructor and festival judge. “This event creates an environment for students to showcase their talent and improve their acting skills.”
Fries said one of the highlights was watching high school students perform sonnets and monologues alongside younger participants who demonstrated remarkable confidence and memorization skills.
Festival organizers praised the collaboration that made the event possible.
“It was truly a privilege to work alongside the CCIU Special Events team and Uptown’s Education team to bring this event to life,” said Heather Grayberg, executive director of Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center.
Jay Della Ragione, special events coordinator at the CCIU, said the return of high school performers added a special dimension to the festival.
“Watching them perform alongside our elementary and middle school students was a powerful reminder that Shakespeare and the arts are a shared language; one that speaks to every age, every stage, and every story,” Della Ragione said.
The festival also recognized individual and group achievements among elementary and middle school participants, celebrating creativity, collaboration, and stage presence rather than competition alone.
The CCIU credited Uptown! Knauer Performing Arts Center, CCRES Educational and Behavioral Health Services, the festival judges, workshop leaders, volunteers, educators, and participating schools for helping make the 37th annual event a success.
Organizers say the festival will return next spring, continuing a decades-long tradition of introducing Chester County students to the enduring power of Shakespeare, storytelling, and the performing arts.
Support the local news that supports Chester County. MyChesCo delivers reliable, fact-based reporting and essential community resources—free for everyone. If you value that, click here to become a patron today.