New York, New York – The Dramatists Guild and The Monologue Project invite you to a special event that celebrates Women of the African Diaspora and their impact on theater and the world. The event will be held during the Dramatists Guild’s national conference at the New York Hilton Midtown, in the Trianon Ballroom, on Friday, July 27, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

Join us for an evening of performance and activism. Writers from across the nation including luminaries such as Charlayne Woodard, Dominique Morisseau, Mfoniso Udofia, Cori Thomas, and Chisa Hutchinson have contributed audition-length monologues to this event, many of them original. Professional actors from Dallas, Pittsburgh, and New York City will perform the monologues which span the gamut from intensely moving to intensely funny.

Performers include acclaimed actresses of the African Diaspora such as Ngozi Anyanwu (Author of The Homecoming Queen at Atlantic Theater Company), Nikiya Mathis (Skeleton Crew at Atlantic Theater Company), Erica Bradshaw (White America Hero), Shamika Cotton (Citizens Market at City Theatre); and a host of talented actors from across the country.

This free event is open to the public and hosted by the following:

• Advisory Committee Members: Siovhan Christensen, N’Jameh Camara, Ife Foy, Alexis Cash, Alesia Etinoff, Sara Williams, Dominique Brock, and Dave Harris;
• Gab Cody, Pittsburgh Regional Representative for the Dramatists Guild;
• Teresa Coleman Wash, Executive Artistic Director, Bishop Arts Theatre Center (BATC);
• Seth Cotterman, Marketing and Communications Consultant, New York;
• Reginald L. Douglas, Artistic Producer, City Theatre, Pittsburgh;
• Kyle Haden, Artistic Director, Ashland New Play Festival, Ashland, Oregon.

We believe hearing voices that have not been heard and providing greater opportunity for Women of the African Diaspora will be of benefit to all. The Monologue Project aims to increase the number of audition-length monologues available to Women of the African Diaspora. We acknowledge those women who have already contributed to this canon and who have paved the way for other writers and actors. We stand in solidarity with the woman-driven activism of movements like Black Lives Matter, acknowledging the essential role of black women in America. The event will be followed by a discussion and call-to-action during a panel on Saturday, July 28 at the Dramatists Guild national conference. The Monologue Project monologues are free and available on the BATC’s website at bishopartstheatre.org.

Participating Monologue Project Writers (in alphabetical order): Mando Alvarado, Chrystal Bates, France-Luce Benson, N’Jameh Camara, Zina Camblin, Kia Corthron, Gethsemane Herron-Coward, LeKeithia Dalcoe, William Duell, Kim El, Alesia Etinoff, Amy Evans, Rob Florence, Imani Maryahm Harrington, Dave Harris, Yona Harvey, Yvette Heyliger, Chisa Hutchinson, Levi Jelks, Christine Toy Johnson, Jewell McPherson, Dominique Morisseau, Ife Olujobi, Maxie Rockymore, Bianca Sams, Daniel Talbott, Cori Thomas, Pamela Turner, Mfoniso Udofia, Bria Walker, Keith Wallace, Amy Gijsbers van Wijk, Pia Wilson, and Charlayne Woodard.

The performance will be held at the New York Hilton Midtown located at 1335 6th Avenue, New York, NY 10019. Admission is free and open to the public. Please RSVP at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-monologue-project-at-the-dramatists-guild-conference-tickets-47734516223.

For more information about the Monologue Project or the Dramatists Guild national conference, please contact Tari Stratton, Director of Education and Outreach, at tstratton@dramatistsguild.com.