August Wilson’s Century Cycle is a singular achievement in American Theatre. Each of the ten world-class plays is set in a different decade of the Twentieth Century. At the core of each work are soaring, lyrical monologues that take the song, laughter, pain, and rich content of African American Life, and place it in the mouths of the greatest and most varied ensemble of characters written since Shakespeare. This monologue competition offers students of all ethnicities the opportunity to inhabit the lives and speak the words of these vital, lively characters. 

COMPETITION DETAILS    

The competition is open to all students from Chicago Area High Schools. Students perform a two to three minute monologue taken from any of the plays in August Wilson’s Century Cycle before a panel of experienced judges.

Contestants will be judged on the basis of preparedness, understanding of the text, vocal delivery, characterization and emotional connection to the material.

The top three finalists will receive – $1,000, $500 and $250 respectively for Monologue Winners and $500, $250, and $100 scholarships respectively for Design Winners.

MONOLOGUE FINALISTS

(Student listed in alphabetical order by last name)

 

Azaria Adams, Memphis

Two Trains Running

Chicago High School For the Arts

 

Antonio Agnew, Memphis

Two Trains Running

Providence St. Mel

 

Saniyah As-Salaam, Ruby

Seven Guitars

Kenwood Academy

 

Asim Baraka, Levee

Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

August Wilson Youth Intensive

 

Rain Coleman, Tonya

King Hedley

Southland College Prep High School

 

Trey Gerring, Boy Willy

Piano Lesson

Homewood Flossmoor

 

Tristen Green, Rena

Jitney

Southland College Preparatory High School

 

Jasmine Guachun, Rena

Jitney

Northtown Academy

 

Nigel Harrison, Memphis

Two Trains Running

South Land College Prep

 

Mario Hoover, Bynum Walker

Joe Turner’s Come and Gone

Providence St. Mel

 

Damarion Jackson, King Hedley II

King Hedley

Wendell Phillips

 

Sophia Leverett, Vera

Seven Guitars

August Wilson Youth Intensive

 

Victorie Molomangai, Berneice

The Piano Lesson

Lane Tech College Prep

 

Juan Popoca, Solly Two Kings

Gem of the Ocean

Chicago High School For the Arts

 

Jazmin Rhodes, Ruby

King Hedley

Homewood Flossmoor High School

 

Steven Rogers, Hedley

Seven Guitars

Homewood Flossmore High School

 

Emily Salamenca, Mame Wilkes

Radio Golf

Westinghouse

 

Kieran Thomas, Becker

Jitney

August Wilson Youth Intensive

 

Nina Washington, Tonya

King Hedley

Southland College Prep High School

 

Alexander Weber, Canewell

Seven Guitars

Chicago High School For the Arts

 

Jahnahn Webster, Becker

Webster

Kenwood Academy

 

DESIGN FINALISTS 

(Student listed in alphabetical order by last name)

 

Elyon Choeun

Northtown Academy

 

Hellen Escobar

Aspira Early College

 

Michelle Lopez-Capistran

Aspira Early College

 

Lucas Lopez

Aspira Early College

 

Devin Love

Simeon Career Academy

 

Mas’ud Manlyspin

Wendell Phillips 

 

Isaac Minor 

Simeon Career Academy

 

Mia Ruiz

Aspira Early College

 

Sima Pollack

Senn High School

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Allstate Insurance Company
The Goodman Theatre
League of Chicago Theatres

 

August Wilson LLC

National Sponsor of August Wilson New Voices

 

Chicago Sponsor of August Wilson New Voices

 

 

SPECIAL THANKS TO OUR VENUES

Roosevelt University- Chicago College of Performing Arts

University of Illinois at Chicago 

DePaul University

 

REGIONAL STAFF

Derrick Sanders – Regional Director

Charlique C. Rolle – Associate Regional Director 

Christian Helem – Competition Director 

Tiffany Fulson – Education Director 

Charles Andrew Gardner – Education Manager

Courtney O’Neill – Design Manager

 

NATIONAL STAFF

Derrick Sanders – National Competition Director

Charlique C. Rolle – Associate National Competition Director

Willa Taylor – National Education Director

Quenna L. Barrett – Associate National Education Director

 

MONOLOGUE COMPETITION JUDGES

PRELIMINARY  JUDGES 

Renee Lockett | Alexis Roston | Penelope Walker | Aeriel Williams

SEMI-FINALS JUDGES

Veronda Carey | Monet Felton| Luther Goins | Cedric Mays

FINALS JUDGES

Rebecca Artist-Jackson | Sydney Chatman | David Dowd | Le’Mil Eland

 

DESIGN COMPETITION JUDGES

PRELIMINARY  JUDGES 

Courtney O’Neil | Emily Weldon

SEMI-FINALS JUDGES

Sydney Lynne  | Collette Pollard

FINALS JUDGES

Christine Pascaul | Aje Soborken | Jess Turner