In celebration of William Shakespeare’s birthday, Pine Crest hosted its annual Shakespeare Out Loud performances, alongside the highly anticipated Shake ‘N Bake competition, bringing students from multiple grade levels together through literature, theater, and creativity. Throughout the event, students performed scenes and monologues from Shakespeare’s most famous works, while others participated in the Shakespeare-themed baking competition.
Participants in Shake ‘N Bake competed in a variety of creative categories, including Best in Show, Best Tragedy, Best Comedy, Best Symbol, Best Tasting, Best Quote or Pun, Best Setting, Best Historical Recipe, and Best Shakespeare or Globe. The competition encouraged students to combine literary analysis with artistic and culinary creativity, transforming Shakespeare’s plays, symbols, and themes into edible works of art.
During Shakespeare Out Loud, students performed scenes from tragedies, comedies, and histories across all four lunch periods. Ella Hensbergen ’29, who performed Act 3, scene 1, from Julius Caesar alongside Kyla Rashbaum ’29 and Gray Maxwell ’29, explained the significance of their scene.
“We mainly chose this part of the play since it is a major turning point in the story as Mark Antony learns that Caesar dies and devises a plan to paint Brutus and Cassius as the villains to the public,” Hensbergen said.
Hensbergen also reflected on the atmosphere created by the performances.
She said, “Being able to attend and perform at Shakespeare Out Loud made me see the community that Shakespeare’s work was able to create, and also showed the depth of his character. I witnessed people performing heartbreaks and tragedies to intoxicated men pretending to be monsters, and it was the most passionate production I have seen in the Pine Crest community this year.”
Joanie Barroncini ’26 shared that her favorite part of the event was “watching all of my fellow classmates enjoying themselves on stage, and coming to life,” highlighting the supportive and energetic environment created throughout the performances.
According to English teacher Mrs. Ortega, the event was designed to help students experience Shakespeare as it was originally intended: performed rather than simply read in a classroom.
“Shakespeare never intended for his work to be read; rather, he wanted people to pay to see his words come to life in the theater, and if we cannot produce an entire play, why not Shakespeare Out Loud!” Ortega said.
Ortega also emphasized the lasting relevance of Shakespeare’s works and the impact the event has on students across campus.
“Although centuries separate us from the Shakespearean world, his works explore the very same emotions like love, hate, joy, betrayal, and fear that continue to define our human condition.”
Each year, the event transforms the circle stage into a Renaissance-inspired celebration featuring performances, music, dance, and themed baked creations. Students from ninth through twelfth grade participate in the festivities.
“It is one of my most favorite days of the year because on that day, at least 100 students perform and hundreds watch and appreciate how Shakespeare transcends time and place,” said Ortega.
Through performance, creativity, and collaboration, the annual Shakespeare Out Loud and Shake ‘N Bake once again provided students with a meaningful and memorable way to celebrate Shakespeare’s legacy.
