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August Wilson monologue winners are in
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
As far as I’m concerned, all 15 finalists at the August Wilson Monologue Competition last night were winners. Some of them were nearly as good as the Broadway actors who showed up to run a few scenes from Wilson’s “Radio Golf,” which True Colors Theatre artistic director Kenny Leon is taking to Broadway in May.
Ultimately, the top honor — and a $500 scholarship — went to Joaquina Kalukango of Tri-Cities High School, who gave a heartfelt speech as the character Tonya from “King Hedley II.” The second place winner was Pebblebrook High student Jawona Roberts, who portrayed Rena from “Jitney.” Coming in third was Tri-Cities’ Charles Bennett, who played Bynum from “Joe Turner’s Come and Gone.”
“Keep August alive and well among your generation,” Leon said as he handed out copies of a volume of Wilson plays to all the contestants, who were lined up on the front row of Theatrical Outfit’s Balzer Theater at Herren’s for True Colors’ first annual competition.
The choices and juxtapositions of material were fascinating. T.J. Colby Hall, the only white kid in the group, gave a naturalistic reading of Bynum, which ran back to back with Bennett’s take. Both Stefond Johnson and Christopher Linsey did Levee’s searing speech from “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” and both had something to say. Three performers, including the excellent Christina Carter, stepped into the world of Tonya. (For the record, Broadway actors John Earl Jelks and James Williams were no slouches, either.)
Leon’s point is that Wilson isn’t just a playwright for black actors, and he envisions a day when young Asian and Latino actors will step up to the competition.
“I know August is smiling tonight,” Leon told the crowd. “This has really hit me.”
Comments
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By Philip Herold
February 28, 2007 6:53 AM | Link to this
I discovered Wilson in a small community college library in middle Illinois one cold winter day back in 1991. I remember the day. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom. What a treasure. Well done to all the participants. And best of luck to the competition in the coming years.
By Harold
February 28, 2007 8:59 AM | Link to this
I attended the competition and let me say those youg people were excellent indeed. It is refreshing to see that literature is alive and well. Well wishes to all the participants.