High schoolers can learn playwriting
A Feb.1 deadline has been set for the free August Wilson New Voices competition, honoring the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright by giving high school students training opportunities to perform monologues on stage.
The top two students from LA will receive a cash prize and the opportunity to compete at the national finals weekend in Wilson’s hometown of Pittsburgh, PA, which includes masterclasses and competition with students from across the country.
Registration is open to current high school students from LA County. Students may not be older than 19 on April 27 in order to participate in the competition. They will perform a two-to-three-minute monologue from one of the 10 plays in Wilson’s American Century Cycle. Students are adjudicated by theater professionals on the basis of preparedness, understanding of the text, emotional connection to the material and commitment to the performance.
The date for the local semi-finals is Feb. 17, with finals being held March 25. National finals will be held the weekend of April 27.
Sponsored by Support Black Theatre, the event, formerly known as the “August Wilson Monologue Competition,” is provided at no cost to participants.
Students interested in the competition and viewing the list of approved monologues are invited to register at https//www/supportblacktheatre.org/august-wilson-new-voices.
Support Black Theatre is in partnership with Occidental College and Ebony Repertory Theatre for this year’s presentation of the monologue competition. For additional information, email contact@supportblactheatre.org.
