Area students shine in Shakespeare contest

Shylock, Portia, a pair of lovers and a group of thespian guildworkers were among the winning performances in the Pittsburgh Public Theater's 15th Annual Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest.

Over the past month more than 1,000 students from 83 schools took part in the competition, performing groups scenes and individual monologues from the works of William Shakespeare. Upper division students were in grades 8 through 12. Lower division students were in grades 4 through 7.

Winners were chosen in four categories at Monday night's finals at the O'Reilly Theater, Downtown:

• Upper Division Scene awardees were Cliff Gilbert, Jason Michalenko, Andy Guthrie, Nick Grieco, Micah Carleton and Josh Bostanic from Beaver Christian School as Flute, Bottom, Quince, Snout, Robin Starveling and Snug in a scene from "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

• Upper Division Monologue was awarded to both Blake Stadnik from Lincoln Park, who performed as Lewis from "King John," and Carter Redwood from Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts who performed as Shylock from "The Merchant of Venice."

• Lower Division Scene award winners were Macy Miller and Jenna Ravasio from Fort Couch Middle School who performed as Hero and Ursula from "Much Ado About Nothing."

• Lower Division Monologue award went to Meggie Booth from Rogers Middle School for the Creative and Performing Arts who performed as Portia in "The Merchant of Venice."