As we approach the Seattle Regional Finals of True Colors’ Next Narrative Monologue Competition (NNMC) on Friday, March 14, 2025, we asked our finalists about their monologues, their biggest takeaways, their favorite rehearsal snacks, and more. Hear from Tynee Curry, Tyanna Curry, Camron Catt, Natalia Avila, Akira Sharma, Devi Anand, Giselle Kendrick, Jazlynne Aldama, Moana Heinze, and Nic Clay. 

Akira Sharma, Giselle Kendrick, Moana Heinze, Tynee Curry, Nic Clay, Marie Akaragwe, Natalia Avila, Cameron Catt, Tyanna Curry, Devi Anand, and Jazlynne Aldama.

1) WHICH MONOLOGUE HAVE YOU CHOSEN AND WHY?

Tynee: I chose the monologue Queer Black Creative License by Nick Hadikwa Mwaluko. The reason I chose this specific monologue because I am also a non-binary Black person, and it was so refreshing to see a monologue from that perspective. 

Tyanna: My monologue is No Wonder by James Anthony Tyler. I see this monologue about grief and the loss of someone you really care about even though they may have not been a good person. I am going through that process of grief mentally, and it's a really good way to get this feeling out. 

Camron: I chose the monologue Out by Rachel Lynett because it not only relates directly to me as a queer person who has faced similar coming-out jitters to the character in the piece, but its story also voices a broader message: staying true to yourself. One of my biggest pursuits in life is to live authentically, and this monologue absolutely embodies that while also acknowledging the anxieties that come with being human. 

Natalia: I decided to do Upcharge by India Craig-Galván because I related to the issues it addresses, and I really connected to the character. 

Akira: I chose to perform Shame by Cheryl L. West because I feel like the message in this piece—about how our actions and words (or lack thereof) can impact others more than we may think or ever know—was really important for audiences to see.   

Devi: I’ve chosen to perform the monologue Chuck by Jonathan Norton, because it is a really passionate and intense monologue that explores a wide range of emotions, making it a very interesting piece to bring to the stage. 

Giselle: I have chosen One Second by Rachel Lynett because I can heavily relate to the character's emotions and the feeling of wishing life could pause. 

Jazlynne: I chose Calling Mama. I feel like I really connect to this monologue, and that's what drove me to choose it. 

Moana: I chose Upcharge by India Craig Galván! Since the first time I read it, I fell in love with it. I think it's a good balance between funny, sarcastic, and a good criticism against the big brands. 

Nic: I chose the monologue Happier by Rachel Lynett, because I really relate to the content of the monologue, with the whole awkwardness and anxiety-inducing rambling of coming out as gay to someone. I’ve personally been on both sides of this sort of conversation, so I really connected with it. I love how this monologue is open to my personal interpretation, but also audience members can interpret it differently. 

2) WHAT CHALLENGES YOU WITH YOUR MONOLOGUE AND HOW ARE YOU WORKING THROUGH IT?

Tynee: One big challenge is not speaking too fast because then I will lose the meaning of what the monologue is saying. I am improving on that now.

Tyanna: I think a big challenge I have with my monologue is emotion. In this monologue there are a lot of big emotions that need to be portrayed in a short amount of time, and while I'm still working on them, I am working on my body language to show these emotions, too (shout out to Mr. Thornton for the help!).

Camron: This monologue is challenging because my character is finding clarity in real time. The piece starts off very nervous and unsure, and yet in ends exactly on the other side, confident and assured. However, this difficulty is also what makes the work meaningful and fun. It gives me more to work with as an actor. Technically speaking, I broke up the monologue by beats to pinpoint turning points in the character's demeanor. Yet, I also find it helpful for me to simply practice doing it in a variety of ways with a variety of turning points to really find what flow makes the piece its strongest. 

Natalia: When reciting words I've memorized, I have a habit to stutter. Instead of letting it hold me back, I've made it a part of my character's personality.

Akira: My monologue has been challenging because of the many conflicting emotions my character faces throughout, so making sure to take beats so that each emotion and shift in character is represented well has helped me work through it. 

Devi: My biggest challenge right now is knowing which choices I want to make for specific parts of my monologue, and I’m currently experimenting with different choices and seeing what works best! 

Giselle: A challenge I've faced is distinguishing between the different beats of the monologue. I've worked through it by playing with different emotions for each beat and seeing how that shapes the monologue as a whole. 

Jazlynne: I think finding ways to express my emotion in a way where it would be engaging for the audience is my biggest challenge. 

Moana: I'm not used to performing comedy, so it was pretty hard for me to do it so it's funny but also not exaggerated, since the character represents a real person people can relate to. I worked it out, and I think I found the perfect place between comedy and seriousness about the topic. 

Nic: My biggest challenge with my monologue is making my monologue feel new each time I do it. I feel like I often get in a pattern of how I act, and I don’t want to feel over-rehearsed.

3) WHAT DOES PERFORMING ON STAGE MEAN TO YOU?

Tynee: It’s a way to show the connection you have with your character and who you are as a person. 

Tyanna: Performing on stage means to me sharing a piece of myself and giving a piece of myself to the audience. Being able to portray a character while bringing some of myself into it is how I want my roles to be seen. 

Camron: I share the sentiment with Thornton Wilder, in that I believe that performing on a stage is so special because it is “the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being”—in a world that constantly divides itself, the power found in performing both the remarkable and mundane is unmatched. 

Natalia: I've always like theater but usually stayed backstage, but performing on stage has given me a freeing feeling that cannot be matched. 

Akira: Performing on stage to me means doing what I love and being able to be as creative as I want to be whilst being surrounded by incredibly supportive people who inspire me! 

Devi: For me, acting and performing on stage is about fully embodying different characters and immersing myself in their experiences. It is really important for me to gain a richer understanding of the perspectives of the characters I play on stage, because that in turn helps me make sense of the real world in new and meaningful ways. 

Giselle: Performing on stage means being able to share stories with the audience and having an amazing time doing it! 

Jazlynne: It means a way to express yourself and let go, the adrenaline of performing and the aspect of storytelling is my favorite part! 

Moana: It means the world. I truly believe I was made to be an actress. Acting is all my passion, and theater is the thing that has made me happy since I discovered it. The main reason why I came to the US was to be able to perform somewhere bigger, to show the world what I'm capable of and what I love to do. Thanks to the NNMC, that dream has become possible!

Nic: I started performing at the beginning of my junior year and opening night of the play I was in, I was so nervous to go on stage, I thought I would forget everything or the audience wouldn’t laugh at all during the show. But as soon as I stepped onstage something clicked I felt more relaxed and comfortable than I ever had before and I just felt free. Being on stage means I can just be myself. 

4) WHAT IS YOUR BIGGEST TAKEAWAY FROM THE NNMC?  

Tynee: Don't be afraid to try new things and don't limit yourself to one interest, even if you don't act or you're a techie (like me). You have the ability to do both. 

Tyanna: The writings. As a Black woman in theater, I don't see a lot of people who look like me in theater unless it's Black-owned. Seeing a competition that has monologues written by Black authors is just so healing to me and to little me who fell in love with theater. 

Camron: Believing in yourself is a steadfast tool as an actor and as a person. “Imposter syndrome,” i.e. a belief that success is undeserved, is something that haunts people all across the board. The encouragement from my fellow finalists has been absolutely wonderful, but what’s even more inspiring is seeing how passionate they themselves are. And personally, I wouldn’t have even gotten this opportunity if I didn’t believe in myself enough to send out my audition tape and risk “failing.” It is so important to acknowledge that you are good enough exactly as you are. 

Natalia: Putting yourself out there leads to meeting incredible people and better opportunities to do the stuff you love.   

Akira: I have been able to work in the most professional setting of my life. Getting to show my work and get mentored by professionals in the Seattle area helped me see my monologue and the choices I was making from another perspective and see where change was needed.   

Devi: The NNMC has taught me to always keeping pushing myself and striving to make progress, and my biggest takeaway is the amount of experience and valuable coaching I’ve received just by participating. 

Giselle: Learning how to dive really deep into a monologue that doesn't have the context of a play, and using things like physicality, voice, and volume to convey the emotions of my character. 

Jazlynne: The experience itself—you learn a lot of things that you can take with you, and it’s helped me to improve my acting. 

Moana: I think the experience is something that builds someone, and I'm sure that the experience that I'll get from performing in the NNMC is something that'll help me grow as a person and an actress!

Nic: My biggest takeaway from the NNMC is that there are way more monologues that are for people like me. Theater is a lot more diverse than I thought!

5) BONUS: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE REHEARSAL SNACK?

Tynee: Beef jerky sticks and water! 

Tyanna: I love eating Welch's fruit snacks and those Costco chocolate granola bars! 

Camron: My favorite rehearsal snack is either a juicy clementine or a tasty baked good like a muffin or doughnut! 

Natalia: Baby carrots! 

Akira: This is more for pre-rehearsal, but anything from Broiler Bay! 

Devi: I don’t normally snack during rehearsals but, when I do, I have a banana to boost my energy! 

Giselle: Fries (but they're usually cold by that point).

Jazlynne: Probably coffee! 

Moana: I really like sweets in general, chocolate will always make me feel like I'm ready to go on stage and perform! I always eat something sweet before a performance or rehearsal, it's a kind of ritual. 

Nic: Pickles.

Don't miss the chance to see these talented finalists perform for one night only on Friday, March 14, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. Get your tickets to the 2025 Seattle Regional Finals of the Next Narrative Monologue Competition today!

TICKETS