2024 AUGUST WILSON NEW VOICES
National Competition

7pm – Monday, March 18 | Albert Theatre

Join us for a spectacular evening of theatre as we honor the exceptional work of August Wilson. Witness the August Wilson New Voices competition, where talented students will captivate you with their monologues from August Wilson’s Century Cycle. And that’s not all – this year we’re also introducing a competition for high school students to showcase their creative prowess in set and costume design. Students will get to choose a monologue from the August Wilson Compendium and transform it into a masterpiece, using mediums such as collages, assemblages, drawings, or videos. Don’t miss this chance to be part of an unforgettable experience!

Please bring your family and friends to support these talented students.

Tickets are FREE, reservations required.

Register here

VIEW THE 2024 PROGRAM

About the August Wilson New Voices Competition

August Wilson New Voices is a national competition that gives students across the country an opportunity to explore and share the richness of August Wilson’s Century Cycle. 7 cities from across the country have already partnered with us for the 2024 competition. The top 2 finalists from each regional contest will attend a finals weekend in Chicago that will include masterclasses and the national competition finals. Now in its 14th year, the competition in Chicago serves over 300 students annually by holding the competition, leading masterclasses and offering college scholarships.

THE COMPETITIONS

DESIGN

A scenic and costume design event, in which students will research and imagine original designs, which are both historically accurate and inspired by one of the plays. 

MONOLOGUES    

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

2024 REGIONAL FINALISTS

Participants competing in the National Finals will hail from Boston, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. Regional hosting theaters and community-based organizations are Huntington Theatre (Boston), League of Chicago Theatres (Chicago), and Bill Nunn Theatre Outreach Project (Pittsburgh).

August Wilson New Voices (formerly the “August Wilson Monologue Competition”) honors of one of the greatest American playwrights: Pulitzer Prize winner August Wilson (1945 – 2005). Through this program, we aim to provide exposure to and cultivate appreciation of Mr. Wilson’s 10-play American Century Cycle in every high school. We hope to give voice to the next generation—where they can see themselves in August’s work and are emboldened to tell their story from their own unique lens.

MONOLOGUE FinalistS 

Jayla Stephensen

Trey Gerring

Alex Weber

Samantha Gonzalez

Asiah Lee

Nina Washington

Nora Fox

Ikeoluwani Apata

Taytum Poinsette

Keniyah Stephenson

Dionna Gunn

Neya Truitt

Maya Ruther

Ava Marinoff

Patience Johnson

Oliver Dolan

Tristen Green

Jalen Smith

John McBeth III

Harmoni Smith

Design Finalists

Angel Agostini

Pedro Ramon

Aniya Ortiz

Janeci Correa

Audra Lee Dobiesz

Nyana Polk

Jamaria Stamps

Cherish Thurman

Vallesia Robinson