August Wilson New Voices

August Wilson New Voices, formerly The August Wilson Monologue Competition, is a national program that invites high school students to perform monologues from August Wilson’s American Century Cycle. Through this work, young artists connect with Wilson’s language, legacy, and the Black experience in 20th-century America.

Founded by Kenny Leon and Todd Kreidler, the program has grown from one Atlanta school to nearly twenty cities across the country. It centers expression, empowerment, and cultural education through theatre.

The Well contributed as coaches and judges—some of us returning as alumni of the program—to support, mentor, and uplift the next generation of storytellers.

“Theatre can do that... it connects man to something larger than himself and his imagination.”
— August Wilson, The Ground on Which I Stand