Who will you choose? Visit our online exhibition to learn about some of Shakespeare's most famous characters. Watch the videos in the online exhibition to find out how nature helps to calm Titania or listen to Viola as she explains how she feels when she thinks she has lost her twin brother. Use the character fact files to build an image of a character and seek inspiration from our character gallery and costume design tips and suggestions.
We can’t wait to see the designs that you create - and you might win some fabulous prizes! We will also share the winning entries in our online exhibition.
You can choose how to present your costume design - you may use the character template resource if you wish, or you can design your character freehand. It may be up to A3 in size and you can include all sorts of extras such as mood boards, fabric samples, sketches - anything that supports your design. You may also make a video that shows how you created your design if you wish. You may use any materials or media to present your design - collage, paint, pencils, ink - anything you like to use.
There are so many different possibilities!
Primary school children and home-educated children can enter work under two age categories:
- 4-7 years
- 8-11 years
In addition, a prize will be awarded to the best collective entry from a school.
Winning entries will be displayed alongside designs created by children's illustrators including Jane Ray and Marcia Williams as well as the special images from our collection that are in the online exhibition hosted on the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust website.
How to enter
Entry to the competition is FREE. Please send your entries by post to:
Shakespeare Week Competition
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust
38 Henley Street
Stratford-upon-Avon
CV37 6QW
You may also email your entries to [email protected]. You can send us word files, PDFs and mp4 video files.
Please fill out the My Costume Design information sheet for each entry and make sure that you include the following information:
- First name
- Age (and school year)
- School or home address as applicable
- Teacher or parent’s email address
If you would like your entries to be returned just write 'please return' on a slip of paper with your entry and include a stamped addressed envelope. Unfortunately we can only return entries with the correct postage and packaging included.
Please send your entries to us to arrive no later than 26 May 2025.
Good luck! We look forward to seeing your fantastic entries!
The prizes
Each of our two category winners will have their entry included in our online exhibition, as well as a bundle of Shakespeare themed goodies, art materials and books.
The winner of the collective school entry will receive a day of creative workshops from an arts professional as well as some books for the school library.
Need to know
Entries must be received by 26 May 2025. Entries must have the correct postage and packaging if you'd like your entry to be returned. The winners will be officially announced on the Shakespeare Week website before the end of June 2025.
All entrants must live in the UK, be age 11 or under (in Years R to 6 or equivalent) and should ask permission from a teacher, parent or guardian before entering.
Prizes are subject to availability and do not include travel expenses. If, in circumstances beyond our control, we are unable to provide the stated prize we will try to offer an alternative prize of a similar value. No cash alternative will be offered.
The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust reserves the right to amend or cancel the competition at any time, if deemed necessary or if circumstances arise outside of the Trust's control.
By submitting an entry you (or your parents/guardian or teacher) are agreeing to abide by the full Terms & Conditions of this competition, so please take a minute to read them over.