The Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center presents the 2nd Annual August Wilson Monologue Competition. The competition is officially open to Buffalo Public Schools, Charter Schools and Private Schools. Interested educators should contact the competition coordinator Paulette D. Harris at (716) 884-2013 or awmcbuffalo@gmail.com

The AWMC is designed to inspire and educate high school students to use monologues from August Wilson's American Century Cycle, a 10-play cycle that details the complexity of the African American experience in the 20th century.  It's designed to provide an intensive learning opportunity to study and practice the art of acting through the work of August Wilson.

 During the competition students will perform their monologues in front of friends, family and the general public, including a panel of judges. The first and second place students will receive an all-expense-paid trip to New York City for the National finals, which are scheduled to take place in May 2019 at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway. The third place winner will serve as an alternate. The three winning students will also receive a cash scholarship.

The student winners from the regional competition will receive additional training and rehearsals provided by Paul Robeson Theatre throughout February, March and April. The additional sessions will allow students more time to work with professional actors and gain valuable acting techniques. It is also designed to help prepare the students to compete at the national level in New York City.

Kenny Leon and Todd Kreidler, True Colors Theatre Company developed the August Wilson Monologue Competition in 2007 for high school students as a means to preserve the playwright's legacy and to pass his words to new generations. It's a national program presented by Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company and Jujamcyn theaters and hosted in cities throughout the country, including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New Haven, New York, Pittsburgh, Portland, Seattle, Dallas, Greensboro and North Carolina. 

Our current partners include Buffalo Public Schools, Ujima Theatre Company Inc.