Thomas Jefferson High School senior a finalist in Pittsburgh Public Theater monologue competition

A Thomas Jefferson High School senior was recently recognized for his performance of a monologue from Shakespeare’s “Richard III” play.

Nathan Mutale, 17, finished as one of 25 finalists in this year’s Pittsburgh Public Theater Shakespeare Monologue and Scene competition. Around 1,000 students from the region competed in this year’s virtual competition.

Mutale said for this year’s submission he was looking for something dark. Last year, he performed a monologue from Shakespeare’s “Midsummer Night’s Dream.”

“I like the dual personality. He’s going back and forth with indecisiveness,” Mutale said. “I could think of times in my life where I’m unsure about myself.”

He said he had performed the monologue before, so it didn’t take too long to re-memorize the lines. But this performance was different because instead of doing in front of a large crowd, he had a camera.

The coronavirus pandemic moved the competition to a virtual presence this year, which was a change for students and teachers.

“It was different,” said Julie Tipton, the high school’s theater teacher. “Students were acting for the camera this time. So we talked a little more about the intimacy that brings, where you don’t have to worry about projection. And the camera picks up everything in your face in terms of emotions you want to show.”

Mutale did not win, but Tipton said she is impressed with Mutale’s willingness to go for it.

“He put so much emotion and feeling into it this year. I think that stood him out more than anyone else. It felt like he was there, which is hard to do with Shakespeare,” Tipton said.

The competition began around 20 years ago and is now open to students in fourth- through 12-grades in order to instill “a love for the theater and appreciation for Shakespeare into the lives of young people.”

Mutale said he enjoys theater and performing, but it is not something he will pursue academically after graduating from high school. He plans on attending Temple University to pursue a career in broadcast journalism.