Wilmington University, along with Prestwick House Publishing, Delaware Theatre Company, and the Delaware Shakespeare Festival (DSF) sponsored the 24th Annual Delaware Student Shakespeare Festival at Smyrna High School on Tuesday, Feb. 13.

Liz Slater (College of Arts and Sciences adjunct program coordinator), Charles Conway (Delaware Theatre Company’s director of Education), and David Stradley (DSF’s managing director) will adjudicate the student performances.

The festival began with the opening procession, the welcome from the Master of Revels, and the presentation of HRH, Queen Elizabeth I. The program ended with adjudication at 12:30 p.m.

Fashioned after the Student Shakespeare Festival at the Folger Theatre in Washington, D.C., the Delaware Student Shakespeare Festival has inspired young performers from many Delaware schools. In fact, two of Wilmington University’s employees have graced the Student Shakespeare Festival stage — Katie Burke, assistant to the vice president external affairs, and Claire Rudolph, administrative assistant, says Slater.

Housed at several sites throughout the years, the festival has been the stage for students from Cab Calloway School of the Arts, Caesar Rodney High School, William Penn High School, P.S. DuPont Middle School, the Tatnall School, Shue-Medill Middle School, A.I. DuPont High School, Cape Henlopen High School, and several more.

Photo of a statue of William Shakespeare in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, England, United Kingdom.