Theater News

Danielle Brooks and More to Judge August Wilson Monologue Competition

The lineup of celebrity judges for the 11th annual competition has been announced.

Danielle Brooks will be one of the judges in the final round of this year's August Wilson Monologue Competition.
Danielle Brooks will be one of the judges in the final round of this year's August Wilson Monologue Competition.
(© David Gordon)

The panel of celebrity judges for the 11th Annual August Wilson Monologue Competition has been announced.

Narda E. Alcorn (production stage manager for Choir Boy), Quincy Tyler Bernstine (Marys Seacole), Danielle Brooks (Much Ado About Nothing), Tony-winning set designer David Gallo (Jitney), Roslyn Ruff (Fairview), and Pauletta Washington (Beloved) will be this year's judges for the final round. The semifinals will be judged by Nehassaiu deGannes (Is God Is), Peter Kim (Wild Goose Dreams), and Michael Potts (The Prom).

The event, which is free and open to the public, features high school students from across the country performing monologues by the late, legendary American playwright. There will additionally be a special performance by American blues musician and actor Guy Davis.

Founded in 2007, the Annual National August Wilson Monologue Competition aims to expose a new generation of creative minds to the life's work and artistic legacy of this seminal American playwright. Program participants in cities across the country encounter Wilson's 10-play cycle and receive coaching from teaching artists as they prepare their monologues for local, citywide and national competitions.

The top three contestants from the national competition receive monetary awards. The first place winner will receive a $3,000 cash prize; the runner-up, a $2,000 cash prize; and the honorable mention, a $1,000 cash prize. Each of the winners will also become eligible for college scholarship opportunities. All finalists receive the gift of TCG's Century Cycle collection.