Standing on a stage at Carnegie Hall in New York City B次元官网网址� one of the most prestigious performing venues in the world B次元官网网址� is a goal for many performers.

Oak Bay teen Liam Pope-Lau wonB次元官网网址檛 soon forget his first step on stage in a venue where The Beatles and Yo-Yo Ma have performed, seeing the lights and speaking his first words.

B次元官网网址淭he worldB次元官网网址檚 best and greatest have performed there,B次元官网网址� 14-year-old Pope-Lau told the Oak Bay B次元官网网址 on Nov. 16, hours after his early morning return from the east coast. B次元官网网址淚t was so amazing. I was so nervous. The second you step out onto the stage the lights are so beautiful, the acoustics are amazing, everything is like perfection.B次元官网网址�

Pope-Lau earned the opportunity after competing in the Greater Victoria Performing Arts Festival in Saanich this year, earning a spot at provincials. He subsequently finished third, securing a place in the final showcase for speech and dramatic arts in the Magnum Opus International Speech and Drama Competition at Carnegie Hall on Nov. 11.

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During each competition, he performed act three, scene three of William ShakespeareB次元官网网址檚 Julius Caesar.

For those less of us less versed in the play, itB次元官网网址檚 the scene where Mark Antony denounces Brutus and Cassius and turns the crowd against the assassins, Pope-Lau explained.

Along the way, he continued to build his skills, incorporating adjudicator feedback.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e experts in the field, they know very well about what tips and tricks I need to use, and what I donB次元官网网址檛 know so I can become a better performer and give the best performance I can,B次元官网网址� Pope-Lau said.

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After the U.S. performance, the competitors had an opportunity to take in a drama workshop at New York UniversityB次元官网网址檚 Tisch School of the Arts, where he learned more about Shakespeare and iambic pentameter.

B次元官网网址淣ow I can work a little more on pacing and timing so I can really nail down and add the emphasis that really draws in the crowd and gives them the experience of whatB次元官网网址檚 going on,B次元官网网址� he said.

Pope-Lau figures he did well and took away some history learned on site about Carnegie Hall, some experience, connections and meeting a variety of amazing competitors from around the globe.

B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e all just such talented and good performers and IB次元官网网址檓 honoured to be able to perform alongside them,B次元官网网址� he said.

At the Greater Victoria competition, one other person chose the same piece to perform.

Even that was interesting, seeing how another individual interpreted what Shakespeare wrote B次元官网网址� both the differences and the similarities.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really insightful and really amazing to see how another person views it.B次元官网网址�

Now in Grade 9 at St. Michaels University School, Pope-Lau student started studying speech arts at 8 with Speech Arts Victoria and teacher Christy Hill B次元官网网址� who he enjoys learning from to this day. He doesnB次元官网网址檛 remember a time when he didnB次元官网网址檛 love literature and public speaking.

ItB次元官网网址檚 something he continues, but also hones skills for other activities such as the spoken word club, debate club and model UN at school.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 so exciting going up there and performing and you can really showcase what you can do,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a whole range and variety of things that tie into being able to be a good public speaker and being able to really voice your ideas.B次元官网网址�