On April 7, Heschel’s Shakespeare club competed at the Envision Shakespeare festival for the first time. In the past, students have gone to the event as observers, but this year they participated.

For the last few months, actors in each grade—including juniors Dani Grinker, Amelie Prevor, Maddie Cassidy, and Simon Arenson and sophomores Maya Braiterman, Cy Maayan, Raya Jedwab-Hammer, Lily Jaktupat-Schneider, and Seraphine Penso—have worked tirelessly on crafting a rendition of the intense first scene of Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” They’ve been guided by their director, junior Charlie Shiff, and faculty advisors Penny Ratcliffe and Anna Savant. 

The Envision Shakespeare festival took place in Teaneck at Maayanot and featured other Jewish schools such as SAR and Central. While a majority of the day featured workshops and other activities, the main event was the competition. After an intense first round, Heschel made it to the finals.

Although Heschel did not take home gold, with their incredible work, they did not return empty handed. Sophomore Maya Braiterman won the award for best supporting actor due to her portrayal of Antonio. 

“I wasn’t expecting it,” said Braiterman. “I loved playing the character and getting to act with everyone else in the scene.”

All students involved were pleased with the work they put in and how far they’ve come, especially due to the fact that this was Heschel’s first time participating in the competition.

“I am really proud of our work,” said junior Dani Grinker, Shakespeare club president. “I admit that there was a moment there where it was looking dicy in rehearsal, but the actors and director really pulled it together.”

The Envision Shakespeare festival was a resounding success, and all of the participants eagerly await next year’s competition.