Birmingham Repertory Theatre to Host Monologue Slam, 16 May

Twenty-two local actors will go head to head at Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Friday 16 May in a unique event.

Monologue Slam UK is the ultimate showcase for actors from all backgrounds and profiles. Following a lengthy audition process, 22 actors are given the opportunity to perform for a welcoming audience and a panel of people in a position to move their careers forward.

With a Youth Round for 11-16 year olds, MonologueSlam UK is an exciting opportunity for emerging actors. Plus an added element of competition raises the stakes for the chosen performers in the various rounds - a one minute 'Smackdown' round for performers aged 17 and up and a 3 minute 'Heavyweight' round for more experience performers aged 17 and up, both professional and up and coming.

Building on the success of Monologue Slam events in London and Manchester, organisers Triforce Promotions, led by actors Jimmy Akingbola and Fraser Ayers, are bringing the event to Birmingham for the first time. The judging panel for Birmingham will include Head of Casting at the RSC, Hannah Miller, Series Producer for BBC Doctor's Peter Lloyd, agent Siobhan Kendall, actress Lorna Laidlaw and Associate Director at The REP, Tessa Walker. The audience also get chance to vote for their favourite performance.

TriForce are excited to be bringing the event to Birmingham, particularly as The REP is where actor and organiser Jimmy Akingbola started his career. Jimmy has since gone on to star in BBC's Holby City and Rev.

TriForce was created in 2004 by two best friends Midlands boy Fraser Ayres (The Smoking Room, Son of God) and Jimmy Akingbola who are both working actors. Identifying holes in the entertainment industry regarding access and "knowing the right people", TriForce was built and grown on a strong ethos of inclusivity not exclusivity, to open the doors to the industry to people from all walks of life.

Joined by fellow actress and University of Birmingham alumni Minnie Crowe (Doctors, Coming of Age) in 2010, and with a rapidly expanding network (currently 16,000 people) TriForce has grown to become a well- respected platform for talent, as well as fundamentally changing how the casting process and the industry work.

Monologue Slam UK will be at Birmingham Repertory Theatre on Friday 16 May, 7.45pm. Information and tickets: 0121 236 4455 / birmingham-rep.co.uk.