Pittsburgh Public Theater’s 32nd annual Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest will crown winners in two divisions and four categories at 7 p.m., Monday, February 23, 2026, at the O’Reilly Theater.

More than 1,000 students from over 80 schools competed before judges in preliminary rounds, leading up to the participants in the Showcase of Finalists, as well as Honorable Mentions, in the Upper Division (grades 8–12) and Lower Division (grades 4–7). 

To register for tickets and for more information, visit https://ppt.org/shakespeare. 

2026 SHOWCASE OF FINALIST PARTICIPANTS 

LOWER DIVISION SCENES 

The Brookline Bards (The Comedy of Errors): Odette Covel (Dromio of Ephesus), Flora Smith (Balthasar), James Francis Lomuscio (Antipholus of Ephesus), Zelie Prezzia (Dromio of Syracuse), Katerina Krummert (Adriana), Gianna Krummert (Luciana). 4th and 6th grades.

Environmental Charter School (Twelfth Night): (Mayzie Perrone (Viola), Pressley Smith (Olivia). 5th grade. 

Carson Middle School (Antony and Cleopatra): Will Boyle (Messenger) and Juliet Marinelli (Cleopatra). 7th grade.

Dutch Ridge Elementary School (Romeo and Juliet): Marlo Kelly (Juliet), Audrey Bixler (Nurse), John Paul Richthammer (Mercutio). 4th grade.

Aquinas Middle School (Romeo and Juliet): John Paul Richthammer (Mercutio), Nick Crawford (Benvolio), Teddy Burchill (Tybalt), Ethan Mullican (Romeo). 7th grade.

LOWER DIVISION MONOLOGUES

Salt and Light Homeschool Co-op (As You Like It): Noah Murphy (Jaques). 6th grade.

The Indiana Players (Romeo and Juliet): Vera Rensko (Juliet). 6th grade.

The Brookline Bards (Twelfth Night): John Henry Anderson (Malvolio). 7th grade. 

Beaver Area Middle School (A Midsummer Night’s Dream): Layla Brewer (Helena). 7th grade. 

Clairton Middle School (Twelfth Night): Chase Carper (Orsino). 6th grade.

UPPER DIVISION SCENES

Upper St. Clair High School (Twelfth Night): Zahra Hossain (Viola), Hansika Yanamadala (Olivia). 12th grade.

Woodland Hill High School (Romeo and Juliet): (Jae Saunders (Lord Capulet), Calise Cowans (Lady Capulet), Noelle  Brubaker (Juliet), Elizabeth Ansell  (Nurse). 10th, 11th and 12th grades.

Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School (Macbeth): Mason Wallace (Macbeth), Aryanna Nielson (Lady Macbeth). 9th and 12th grades.

Slippery Rock High School (Measure for Measure): Ellie Jedrzejewski (Isabella), Stefon Austin (Claudio). 11th and 12th grades.

Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School (Romeo and Juliet): Lily Fontaine (Juliet), Jackson Conforti. 11th grade. 

UPPER DIVISION MONOLOGUES

Salt and Light Homeschool Co-op (Julius Caesar): Ace Laughlin (Mark Antony). 12th grade.

Mt. Lebanon High School (King John): Freyja Dyrud (Constance). 11th grade.

Beaver Falls High School (King Lear): Sam Haas (Edmund). 12th grade.

Shaler Area High School (Timon of Athens): Abigail Maher (Timon). 11th grade.

Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School (The Taming of the Shrew): Carson Bruce (Petruchio). 12th grade.

PITTSBURGH PUBLIC LAUNCHES LOBBY SERIES 

Pittsburgh Public Theater this week kicks off the new Lobby Series, a community-driven initiative billed as “your chance to help transform the O’Reilly Theater lobby into a lively third place for connection and creativity. Together, we’ll make Downtown feel like home.”

In January, Downtown residents, workers, and local artists gathered at the Public to share their ideas for the series, related to community feedback that prioritized “safer, more inviting reasons to come Downtown, opportunities to connect (attend with new friends), and flexible, low-commitment events that fit into busy schedules.”

The result is a series of “small-scale” programs, on various dates Mondays–Thursdays, 5-7 p.m., that include a mix of art, music, storytelling, and creative experiences.

You can submit ideas while keeping up-to-date on what’s new in the Dollar Bank Lobby Series, which officially opens its doors on Thursday, February 27, for Kinselland Radio, presented by Anqwenique and DS Kinsel. The event is described as a “live, lobby-based radio activation blending music, storytelling, and conversation to amplify regional Black creative voices and community connection.”

On March 9, 5-7 p.m., the Lobby Series will feature an art gallery pop-up, “blending installation, live painting, and participatory art-making to showcase works by Jordan Weaver, Bobbie Bonita, and Andrew Spanoudakis.For a full list of Lobby Series events and descriptions, visit https://ppt.org/event/30826-2025/dollar-bank-lobby-series.

Categories: Arts Education, Feature Stories, Our Posts, Show Previews

Tags: Lobby Series, Pittsburgh Public Theater, Shakespeare Monologue & Scene Contest