2023 AUGUST WILSON NEW VOICES
National Competition
7pm – Monday, MaY 1 | Albert Theatre
On May 1, we invite you for a special night of theatre as we celebrate the work of August Wilson. We welcome finalists from Chicago, Boston, and Pittsburgh to compete by performing monologues and presenting visual designs from August Wilson’s Century Cycle, a collection of 10 plays that covers African-American history in the 20th century.
Please bring your family and friends to support these talented students. Tickets are FREE, reservations required.
FREE with reservations.
Register here
To receive information on how to participate in future August Wilson New Voices competitions, contact us here.
CONTACT US
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 2023 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 13th 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.
2023 NATIONAL 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.
