FAQ

The program objectives of the Next Narrative Monologue Competition are to:

1. Introduce students to today's leading contemporary Black writers
2. Expose students to acting techniques that enhance their knowledge of the art and skill of performance
3. Utilize the arts to support students in making co-curricular connections
4. Investigate how history and culture influence personal perspective through artful exploration
5. Embolden students to use their voices to inspire social action

Any high school-aged youth (grades 9-12) living in Washington State.

There is absolutely no cost to participate in the competition!

For the Seattle regional competition, students progress through two rounds: Preliminaries are judged via video auditions submitted by competitors, and the top ten competitors move on to Regional Finals. Then, the top two winners from each regional competition across the U.S. participate in the National Finals, receiving an all-expense-paid trip to New York City that includes:

• Workshops with theater professionals
• Performance at the Apollo Theater
• Ticket to a Broadway show
• Cash prizes for the top three winners

Find the dates for these events here.

No, you must be present for all required preparation and performance dates (find them here).

No previous acting experience is required. This competition is open to all students who have an interest in acting and theater.

Take a look at the monologue compendium and choose the piece that feels the most right for you! Any student can perform any monologue, regardless of the student’s and the character’s gender identity, age, or race. Students are not limited on the basis of race, but the language of the monologue (including racially charged language) must be unchanged.

Having trouble deciding? Contact us for one-on-one support.

Your monologue must be between 1 and 3 minutes (from the first moment to the last). During competition rounds, the adjudication panel will be timing competitors. Monologues cannot be changed or abridged.

Yes, your monologue must be memorized, including for your video audition. 

Both for your video audition and any in-person performance, you should introduce yourself with your full name, the title of your monologue, and the playwright's name.

The judges are looking closely at your acting performance alone. No props or costumes are allowed. You have the option of using a chair to sit in during your performance. Dress comfortably and professionally.

1. Create a free account on YouTube.
2. Record your audition video on your preferred device, preferably using a horizontal orientation.
3. Important: Your audition should be recorded in one continuous "take"; please do not edit portions of different recordings together.
4. Upload your audition video to your YouTube account and follow these steps to make it an unlisted video.
5. Copy and paste the URL for your unlisted audition video into your registration form.

No. The NMMC requires you to perform a piece from the compendium of approved monologues.

No. The monologue you use in your Preliminary video audition must be the monologue used during the entirety of the competition.

You will be judged on five categories: story, voice, movement, connection, and accuracy. Contact us after Prelims and/or Regional Finals if you would like the judge’s feedback.