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Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition

Fifteen students from Henry J. Kaiser High School, Walnut High School, Fullerton Union High School, Los Angeles County High School for the Performing Arts, Notre Dame Academy and other high schools across southern California performed monologues from Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson’s 10-play “Century Cycle" on Monday, March 26 at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum's August Wilson Monologue Competition Regional Finals.

Celebrity judges included Paris Barclay, John Beasley, Dennis Haysbert, Stan Lathan and Charlayne Woodard. Master of Ceremonies is award-winning broadcast journalist and CBS 2 co-anchor Pat Harvey.

A singular achievement in American theatre, August Wilson’s “Century Cycle” dramatizes the African-American experience in the 20th century. The monologue competition is designed to help students from all backgrounds connect with a significant part of American history and to gain theatre and performance skills. The top three regional finalists from each participating city will receive $500, $250, and $100 scholarships, respectively, and a trip to New York with the opportunity to compete in the fifth annual AWMC national finals, to be held at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway on May 7.

Visit http://www.centertheatregroup.org/ for more information.

Photos by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
The audience during the August Wilson Monologue Competition Regional Finals at Center Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum on March 26, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Students during the August Wilson Monologue Competition Regional Finals at Center Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum .Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition

The student finalists pose backstage during the August Wilson Monologue Competition Regional Finals at Center Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum.

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
The student finalists pose during the August Wilson Monologue Competition Regional Finals at Center Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum.

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Student finalists Christopher Smith, Christie Owens, Tyler Edwards and Jeffery Sims pose during the August Wilson Monologue Competition Regional Finals.

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Student Dominique Thompson

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Student Jeffery Sims

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Student Jake Foulkes

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Student Pablo Lopez

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Student E.J. Cabasal

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Student Rhyver White

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Student Marcus Arellanes

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Tyler Edwards

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Student Nicole Julian

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Second place finalist Jasmine Hogan

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Student Kayla Matthews

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Student Kara Royster

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Student Christie Owens

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Student Keanu Beausier

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
First place finalist Christopher Smith

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
CTG Artistic Director Michael Ritchie

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Master of Ceremonies Pat Harvey

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
The student performers cheer the finalists during the August Wilson Monologue Competition Regional Finals at Center Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
The student performers cheer the finalists during the August Wilson Monologue Competition Regional Finals at Center Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
The student finalists are recognized onstage during the August Wilson Monologue Competition Regional Finals at Center Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Celebrity judges Dennis Haysbert (L) and Charlayne Woodard (R)

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
CTG Donors Joni Benickes and Miles Benickes pose with celebrity judge Dennis Haysbert

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition

Celebrity judge Dennis Haysbert (L) and Leslie K. Johnson, Director of Education and Community Partnerships, CTG (R)

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Celebrity judge Stan Lathan (L) and Attorney Nina Shaw (R)

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Wells Fargo's Angel Zapata, daughter Carmen Zapata and celebrity judge Dennis Haysbert

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Celebrity judge Dennis Haysbert (L) and actor Oliver Litondo (R)

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Wells Fargo's Angel Zapata (L) and Master of Ceremonies Pat Harvey (R)

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
CTG Affiliate Jeri Nagelberg, CTG Board Member Dr. Steven Nagelberg and CTG Director of Development Yvonne Bell 

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Leslie K. Johnson, Director of Education and Community Partnerships, CTG (L) and Master of Ceremonies Pat Harvey (R)

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition

Celebrity judge Paris Barclay, Attorney Nina Shaw and celebrity judge Stan Lathan

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Celebrity judges John Beasley (L) and Dennis Haysbert (R)

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Celebrity judges Paris Barclay, John Beasley, Dennis Haysbert and Stan Lathan

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Student performer finalists Jasmine Hogan, Christopher Smith and Tyler Edwards

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition

Celebrity judge John Beasley, finalists Jasmine Hogan, Christopher Smith, Tyler Edwards and celebrity judge Dennis Haysbert

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
The top three finalists Tyler Edwards, Jasmine Hogan and Christopher Smith accept their awards during the August Wilson Monologue Competition Regional Finals at Center Theatre Group's Mark Taper Forum

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
The top three finalists Tyler Edwards, Jasmine Hogan and Christopher Smith

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Celebrity judges Paris Barclay (L) and John Beasley (R)

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Celebrity judges actor Dennis Haysbert (L) and actress Charlayne Woodard (R)

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Celebrity judges Stan Lathan, Dennis Haysbert and Charlayne Woodard

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Celebrity judges Paris Barclay, John Beasley, Stan Lathan, Dennis Haysbert and Charlayne Woodard

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition
Celebrity judges Paris Barclay, John Beasley, Stan Lathan, Dennis Haysbert and Charlayne Woodard

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition

Celebrity judges Paris Barclay, John Beasley, Charlayne Woodard, Stan Lathan and Dennis Haysbert

Photo Flash: Center Theatre Group Presents the August Wilson Monologue Competition



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