Amity Student Wins Shakespearean Monologue Competition

For many high school students, reading the plays of William Shakespeare can often feel like reading a foreign language.  junior Sabrina Brier, 16, admits reading Shakespeare’s works was a struggle for her in the beginning, but lately, after making a serious effort in her AP English class, things have begun to click. Really well, actually, as Brier recently took first place in an monologue competition for acting a piece from Taming of the Shrew.

“I’ve always appreciated it, and understood the brilliance of it,” Brier said, “and finally, when we read MacBeth in AP English, it made sense.”

Next Wednesday Brier will head to Greenwich to compete with other high school thespians on the state level, and the winner of that contest will go on to the regional competition in New York City.

The Amity competition was organized by English Department Head Julie Chevan. Students had to memorize a 20-line piece or a scene, and 16 teams participated. Chevan and several other English teachers served as judges. Students not only had to act, they had to show by their acting that they understood the text.

Brier said her mother, playwright Susan Cinoman, had suggested she do the monologue from Taming of the Shrew as Cinoman had performed it in the past.

“It was twice the limit, about 40 lines,” Brier said. “For Greenwich I have to cut it in half.”

Brier says she aspires to a career in acting, but despite her recent victory in the classical arena, isn’t limiting herself.

“I’m just trying to learn as much as possible about all aspects of it,” she said.

Meanwhile, she is looking forward to Greenwich.

“I’m nervous,” she said, “but I’m trying not to expect anything from it. I’m looking at it as just another opportunity to perform.”