Theater News

Boston Regional Finalists of August Wilson Competition Announced

The annual monologue contest will be held in New York City.

Laury Teneus, Fanta Diakite, and Medgene Joseph are the top performers at the 
2017 August Wilson Monologue Competition Boston Regional Finals.
Laury Teneus, Fanta Diakite, and Medgene Joseph are the top performers at the
2017 August Wilson Monologue Competition, Boston Regional Finals.
(© David Marshall)

Huntington Theatre Company's education department has announced the winners of the August Wilson Monologue Competition, Boston Regional Finals.

Laury Teneus of Edward M. Kennedy Academy for Health Careers took first place with her performance as Black Mary from Gem of the Ocean. Fanta Diakite of Snowden International School at Copley was named first runner-up and portrayed Rose from Fences. Medgene Joseph of Codman Academy Charter Public School was named second runner-up after performing Bernice from The Piano Lesson.

The August Wilson Monologue Competition celebrates the writing of the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning playwright. Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company inaugurated the competition in 2007, and this year marks the seventh year that the Huntington’s Education Department has hosted the regional finals in Boston.

The three will receive a total of $850 in prize money, and the top two winners will be awarded an all-expense-paid trip to New York City where they will perform their monologues in the National Competition on May 1.