LCHS student places as semi-finalist in national Shakespeare competition

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By Michelle Williams

Hast
Hast

Coleton Hast, a junior at Lawrence Central High School, placed as a semi-finalist in the 32nd annual English-Speaking Union National Shakespeare Competition. Having previously won first place in the state competition at Butler University in March, Hast was the only Indiana student to receive an all-expense paid trip to New York City to compete in the national event. The competition was held on April 27th at Lincoln Center Theater for 57 regional winners.

Competition judges included: Miriam Hyman, a 2012 graduate of Yale School of Drama; Michael LoMonico, Senior Consultant on National Education for the Folger Shakespeare Library; Alexandra López, Associate Director of Education at Lincoln Center Theater; Dr. Sid Ray, a professor of English and Women’s and Gender Studies at Pace University; and Michael Sexton, Artistic Director of The Shakespeare Society.

Hast has been involved in theatrical arts his entire high school career, performing in the Rookie Show at LCHS his freshman year. He has since performed in most of the school’s other productions, and has been encouraged and mentored by teacher Richard Phillipy. It was Mr. Phillipy who first approached Hast in 2014 about participating in the 2015 National Shakespeare Competition. Hast plans to return for the competition next year, now knowing more about the judging expectations. “I feel I’d have an even better shot at bringing home the gold,” said Hast. He also competes in a variety of other state and regional thespian competitions, and plans to get more involved in an effort to hone his skills and prepare for the major competitions during his senior year.

Following the completion of his senior year at LCHS, Hast plans to attend college to double major in linguistics and film or acting. Although he has not yet chosen a college, he’s confident about his program of study. An educational path including linguistics may often lead to professions such as acting, linguistics coaching and even a career in education as a college professor.


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