True Colors' Next Narrative® Monologue Competition (NNMC) features newly created works from fifty of America's leading contemporary Black playwrights that engage students of all backgrounds in artful exploration of 21st-century themes, while instilling confidence in all to find their voices. Any high school student living in Washington State is eligible to enter.
About the NNMC
Founded by True Colors Theatre Company in Atlanta, the NNMC celebrates the rich tradition of Black storytelling while giving voice to bold artists of all cultures. This Black storytelling lens is not exclusionary, but provides an inclusive portal to new worlds and the truths therein.
In each participating region, students progress through a multi-round competition. This season, Seattle Rep is accepting video auditions for its Preliminary round, with the top ten competitors advancing to Regional Finals. Then, the top two winners from each regional competition participate in the National Finals, receiving an all-expense-paid trip to New York City that includes workshops with theater professionals, tickets to a Broadway show, the chance to win a cash prize, and more!
Questions? Please contact us.
How It Works
The Requirements
- You’re a high school-aged youth (grades 9–12)
- You live in Washington state
- You must be able to make all competition rounds (see dates here)
How It Works
- Participants submit a video audition of their chosen NNMC compendium monologue for the preliminary round by December 1, 2025
- NNMC adjudicators review all submissions and select ten finalists, who will receive free in-person coaching from theater professionals before performing on Seattle Rep's mainstage at our Regional Finals on February 13, 2026
- Our top two Regional winners will receive an all-expense-paid trip to the NNMC National Finals in New York City (May 2–5, 2026), which will include:
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- Workshops with theater professionals
- Tickets to a Broadway show
- The chance to win a cash prize and perform on stage at the iconic Apollo Theater
- ...and more!
How to Audition & Sign Up
The preliminary round of the competition will be completed via pre-recorded video auditions, offering super easy access to NNMC tryouts! Sign up in three easy steps:
- Choose and rehearse a monologue from the competition compendium
- Record and upload your audition video
- Submit your easy online registration form and share your video with us
The deadline to register and submit your video audition is Monday, December 1, 2025 by 11:59 p.m.
Ready to get started? Click the button below to gain access to the monologue compendiums and choose your piece!
Once you record your monologue, submit it through the NNMC Registration Form:
About True Colors Theatre Company
Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company is a nonprofit regional theater company based in Atlanta, GA. True Colors Theatre Company’s mission is to celebrate the rich tradition of Black storytelling while giving voice to bold artists from all cultures. We add dimension and relevance to our work on the stage through community events and education programming. The vision of Artistic Director Jamil Jude is for the company to thrive at the intersection of artistic excellence and civic engagement.
Aidan Cazeau and Alexis Jackson. Photos by Angela Nickerson.