True Colors Theatre Announces Finalists for Fifth Anniversary Next Narrative® Monologue Competition

True Colors Theatre Company has announced the finalists for the fifth anniversary of its Next Narrative Monologue Competition (NNMC), which attracts high school students from across the country to vie for a total of more than $16,000 in scholarship prizes in regional and national contests.

Launched in 2021, the program has served more than 3,000 students in 10 cities. The top two finalists from each regional competition will participate in the national NNMC National Finals, May 4, 2026, at the Victoria Theatre at the historic Apollo Theatre. The program's compendium includes original monologues commissioned specifically for the competition from 31 leading contemporary Black playwrights.

"We have an incredible group of students for our fifth anniversary competition,” said True Colors Artistic Director Jamil Jude. "From all indications, we are expecting fantastic performances from our finalists.”

The 2026 finalists are:

• Atlanta, True Colors Theatre Company, Elijah Ghant, Kalin Clark
• Boston, The Huntington, Dante Cannon, Naimah Doczi
• Dallas, Southern Methodist University, J'Vion Outlaw, Jaylen Hamilton
• Kansas City, Kansas City Melting Pot Theatre, Jasmine Crumpton, Rogelio Romo
• Milwaukee, Milwaukee Repertory Theater, Amelie Davis-Quiroz, Zharick Manrique
• Pittsburgh, Bill Nunn Theatre Outreach Project, Zora Rose, Ayari Marley
• Portland, World Stage Theatre, Eshani Lucas, Taliyah Pratt
• Seattle, Seattle Rep, Isaiah Hyde, Mesgana Alemshowa
• Tulsa, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, Amani Stubbs, Azariah Robertson

The judges for this year's event are: Andre Minkins, associate professor of theatre, TV, film & speech, Winston Salem State University; Dr. Indira Etwaroo, ceo & artistic director of Harlem Stage; Qween Jean, stage and film Costume Designer; Banna Desta, screenwriter and playwright; and Clinton Turner Davis, director, educator and arts consultant; Amber Iman, actress and singer; and Armani Barrantes, NNMC alumni and student at Salem State University.

In conjunction with the National Finals weekend, True Colors will host a series of activities for past participants in the Next Narrative Monologue Competition National Finals, including performances of new monologues from the Next Narrative compendium, a reception highlighting alumni finalists and a series of video vignettes featuring past national finalists, which will be available on our YouTube and Instagram (@Kltruecolors & @truecolorstheatre).

“Our theme for 2026 is ‘The Legacy Continues' and we want this year's competition to be a be a full circle moment for all of our past participants, partner organizations, playwrights and sponsors to celebrate our five-year anniversary,” said Jude.

First-place winners of the NNMC National Finals include: 2025 – Silver Anderson (Milwaukee); 2024 – Raichel West (Milwaukee); 2023 – Sakura Rosenthal (Boston); and 2022 – Jola Olojede (Dallas).

"What I really liked about Next Narrative is when we got to New York, it didn't feel like a competition,” said Ryon Davis, a 2023 national finalist from Milwaukee who has continued to work in support of the city's contest. “It more so felt like a showcase of talent, in the sense that all of the students came together as a supportive community for one another."

For more information on the NNMC, please visit truecolorstheatre.org/nnmc

ABOUT True Colors Theatre COMPANY

True Colors Theatre Company is a nonprofit regional theater company based in Atlanta, GA. True Colors Theatre Company's mission is to celebrate the rich tradition of Black storytelling while giving voice to bold artists from all cultures. We add dimension and relevance to our work on the stage through community events and education programming. The vision of Artistic Director Jamil Jude is for the company to “thrive at the intersection of artistic excellence and civic engagement.” For more information on True Colors, visit: https://www.truecolorstheatre.org/.