Students from across the U.S. will gather at the August Wilson Theatre May 6 to participate in the 11th Annual August Wilson Monologue Competition, celebrating the work of the late Tony- and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright whose works chronicled the African American experience in the 20th century.
Participants will perform monologues from Wilson’s ten-play Century Cycle before a panel of celebrity judges who will name three finalists. First place comes with a cash prize of $3,000, with second place receiving $2,000, and $1,000 for the third finalist. The winners will also be eligible for college scholarship opportunities. Judges will be announced in the coming weeks.
The 2019 participants hail from Atlanta, Georgia; Boston, Massachusetts; Buffalo, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Dallas Texas; Los Angeles, California; New Haven, Connecticut; New York, New York; Greensboro, North Carolina; Seattle, Washington; and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
While in New York, students will also have the opportunity to be mentored by theatre professionals as they prepare for their final performance for the judges. Participants will also attend a performance of the new Broadway musical The Prom and work with Tony Award-winning director Kenny Leon.
The 7 PM event is free and open to the public. American Blues musician and actor Guy Davis will also perform.
The August Wilson Monologue Competition is produced by Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company and Jujamcyn Theaters (Jordan Roth, President; Jack Viertel, Senior Vice President).
Visit AugustWilsonMonologue.com.
