Shakespeare Nationals
April 22, 2025
Cazenovia High School is thrilled to announce that junior Sebastian Gebers will advance to the National Shakespeare Competition in New York City on Monday, April 28. Sebastian is the first student from the district in 15 years to reach this prestigious national stage.
After winning the Cazenovia High School Competition and advancing to the Syracuse Branch Regionals for the third consecutive year, Sebastian topped eight other performers from Central New York. At the nationals, Sebastian will take the stage at Juilliard and perform a soliloquy from Hamlet as well as Sonnet 96, which are the same pieces that he won at local and regional competitions. On April 28, he will compete against 41 national qualifiers nationwide. Seven to ten finalists will then advance to the final round, where they will compete for cash prizes and the opportunity to attend a summer drama program.
Sebastian is also eligible to win the National Shakespeare Competition’s People’s Choice Award. You can watch his performance here and text NSC38 to 212-818-1200 to vote for Sebastian in the 2025 ESU NSC People’s Choice Award. Voting closes at midnight on Thursday, April 24.
Sebastian is the Vice President of the Shakespeare Club at Cazenovia High School. “This club has been an incredible experience for all of us,” Sebastian said. “The community is amazing, and I look forward to every meeting that we have. Each of us are incredibly talented, and I consider it an honor to be able to represent us all at nationals.”
Junior Chloe Coleman, a three-year club member, echoed Sebastian’s sentiments: “Shakespeare Club isn’t just a great way to express your love for poetic literature, it’s a great environment to grow and learn as a person. You can take what you learn in club meetings and bring that experience into the real world. That’s what I find so attractive about the Shakespeare Club.”
Our entire Caz community is so proud of Sebastian, and we wish him the best as he represents the district on the national stage!
