Long Wharf Theatre And Yale Repertory Theatre To Host Reading Series In Connection With The New Haven Regional August Wilson Monologue Competition

Long Wharf Theatre's Education Department, in conjunction with Yale Repertory Theatre, will launch the first in a series of events designed to encourage local students and schools to participate in the Regional August Wilson Monologue Competition.

The kickoff event will be open to the public and takes place on September 27 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Ives Main Branch of the New Haven Free Public Library. Students, parents, teachers, and administrators will be invited to learn about the program and see a staged reading of Gem of The Ocean, performed by local actors. A brief talkback will focus on the offered in-school programming (six-week residency, trip to see Paradise Blue at Long Wharf Theatre, as well as the competition schedule and phases for the year) as well as master classes. Signups for schools as well as individuals will be available on site.

For the second straight year, Long Wharf Theatre (LWT) will collaborate with Yale Repertory Theatre, to host the competition. Participants throughout Connecticut, but primarily residing in the Greater New Haven area, will compete to win all-expense paid trip to the National Competition in New York City where they will perform on a Broadway stage, see a Broadway play, and have a chance to win college scholarships. The Regional Competition will be held at Long Wharf Theatre's Stage II on February 28, 2019 at 7PM. The National Competition will take place in May 2019 at Broadway's August Wilson Theatre.

The program is now open to any student who would like to partake and is entirely free to individuals and schools who would like to participate. "Our goal is to double student and school participation, add two public staged readings of the first two American Century Cycle Plays, and offer free master classes for students whose schools are not involved and for those who would like additional coaching time," said Madelyn Newman, Long Wharf Theatre's Director of Education.

Potential competitors have two ways to get the skills they need to be a success in the competition, Newman said. Up to eight schools can participate in a six-week residency program. If an individual student would like to participate, they can sign for any of all of the free master classes provided. Students will be required to attend one master class if their school does not sign up to ensure they have the basic information needed to compete.

This national program is produced in collaboration between Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre and Jujamcyn Theatre. The program is now in Atlanta, Boston, Buffalo, Chicago, Los Angeles, NYC, Pittsburgh, Portland, Seattle, Dallas, and Greensboro. New Haven is thrilled to continue Wilson's legacy and to honor his rich history in Connecticut. The Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center helped establish Wilson as a major voice in American theatre and Yale Repertory Theatre is renowned for staging six world premieres of August's work.

REGIONAL August Wilson MONOLOGUE COMPETITION EVENT SCHEDULE

KICKOFF EVENT/August Wilson READING #1 Gem of the Ocean

Ives Main Library Branch

September 27 at 5PM-8PM

Set in 1904, August Wilson's Gem of the Ocean begins on the eve of Aunt Esther's 287th birthday. When Citizen Barlow comes to her Pittsburgh's Hill District home seeking asylum, she sets him off on a spiritual journey to find a city in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Gem of the Ocean is the ninth work in Wilson's ten-play cycle that has recorded the American Black experience and helped to define generations.

August Wilson READING #2: Radio Golf

Stetson Library Branch

December 19 at 5PM-8PM

"With wit and soul, Radio Golf brings to a close the most ambitious theatrical undertaking in the history of American theatre." - New York Sun. A fast-paced, dynamic and wonderfully funny work about the world today and the dreams we have for the future. Set in Pittsburgh in the late 1990s, it's the story of a successful entrepreneur who aspires to become the city's first black mayor. But when the past begins to catch up with him, secrets get revealed that could be his undoing.

This presentation will be held primarily for students, teachers, administrators, and parents who are involved with or want to be involved with the competition. Another brief talkback will, again, focus on the offered in-school programming and individual master classes. Signups will also be available at this time.

For students not attending participating schools, a series of master classes will also be available.

MASTER CLASSES for High School Students

New Haven Library Branches and Long Wharf Theatre

January 8th- February 12th

AWMC Closed Door Auditions

Coop High School

February 14th 2-7PM

AWMC Regional Competition (Open to the public)

Long Wharf Theatre Stage II

February 28th 7 PM

For more information visit longwharf.org/august-wilson-monologue-competition or call 203-772-8272.