Jessie Pinnick '12 took top honors at the 2012 Northeast Ohio Shakespeare Competition, held February 25 at PlayhouseSquare's Idea Center. She was HB's representative in the contest, squaring off against students from several regional high schools. The competitors showcased their grasp of the Bard's work by performing scenes from his plays and reciting lines from his sonnets.

She is the second HB student in a row to win the contest, which is sponsored by PlayhouseSquare, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, and the Cleveland branch of the English Speaking Union of the United States. Stephanie Wong '11 brought home the trophy last year.

Pinnick, who was coached by HB Theatre Director Molly Cornwell and joined at the event by Upper School English teacher Amanda Mann, won $200 for her efforts. She also earned the right to represent Cleveland at the National Shakespeare Competition to be held in New York City in April.

Pinnick had the title role in HB's all-female staging of Macbeth this past fall. She now will have the opportunity to face the winners of competitions held by 59 other branches of the ESU. The first-place finisher in the national competition will be able to travel to England and study for two weeks at the Royal Academy of Arts in London. Click here to learn more.

photos by Paul Rampe