Liz and Kenny Smith of the Hobnob Theatre Company are coaching some county youths for the fourth year in a row as they prepare for the Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Contest at the Pittsburgh Public Theater.

“We encourage students to get involved in this each year because it's an intimate way to get to know Shakespeare and his writing and storytelling,” said Liz Smith.

In preparation, the Smiths suggest students read not only their scene but also the play their scene is from, just to get to know the characters and the entire story line.

“We also get them to read the 'modern English' version of the scene and their play at a website called 'No Fear Shakespeare' to take the daunting task of understanding Shakespeare by reading it cold,” she said.

The coaches' goal for the students is not to just merely be able to recite lines of dialogue, but to be immersed in the work enough that they effectively become the character.

“Once they understand the lines in modern English, they can easily put meaning behind memorizing the Shakespearean language,” Smith said.

And it's not all about memorization; the experience of the contest itself is just as important.

“The students get to be on a professional stage in downtown Pittsburgh to compete. That in itself is a great opportunity,” Smith said.

The protégés have garnered several honorable mentions for scenes the past few years.

Kara Whitmire, 17, of Center Township is a senior at the PA Cyber school and will be competing for the fourth year in a row.

“For me, learning Shakespeare and really understanding the content of it helps me to be a more well-rounded person,” she said.

And though she hasn't placed in the competition, she believes the insights she has gained in preparing for it are invaluable.

“Gaining insight on his amazing display of language gets me thinking about how to portray the expressions and emotions that are poured into his lines,” she said.

Kara also believes the process encourages her to get into the habit of using intelligent speech and thinking about what she is saying and how she is saying it.

“I also like to be involved because while it can be stressful to memorize a piece in such a short time, it really is fun to work with Liz and Kenny and exciting to see how far I've grown,” she added.

Kara is preparing a monologue from Act 5, Scene 1, of the “Tempest.”

“It is where Prospero is conjuring up the storms, relinquishing his magic, and using it for the last time as he says farewell to his staff and his book that he eventually drowns,” she said.

Harmony resident Camille Bupp, 12, studies at the Blackburn Study Center in the seventh grade. She too will be entering her fourth year in the competition. She will be performing “Much Ado About Nothing,” Act 3, Scene 1, with two other girls.

She said her love of acting causes her to return to the contest.

“I've learned many useful tips regarding stage presence, and I have also made multiple friends preparing for the competition,” Camille said.

First timer to the competition Molly Miller, 16, of Butler is in 10th grade at the Lincoln Park Performing Arts Charter School in Midland.

“I've learned how important it is to analyze the text and be careful not to leave stuff out. One little word out of place and you change the whole meaning,” Molly said.

She is joined by another newcomer, Jake Kyriazis, who is also in 10th grade as a homeschooled student.

“Something I learned from this experience would be French because my character is French,” Jake said.

Also competing are Samuel, Madelyn and Brandon Kelly; Elijah and Asa Errington; Rowan, Sawyer and Adam Smith; Chesna and Anthony Tomko; Noelle Ledford and Victoria Witouski.

The Smiths' students are competing today.

The Shakespeare Monologue and Scene Contest grew to more than 1,000 participants last year. Contestants in seventh through 12th grades present their pieces on the Pittsburgh Public's main stage at the O'Reilly Theater in front of a panel of judges. Those contestants who advance to the final round have the opportunity to perform in a Showcase of Finalists.