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The finalists in the 2016 August Wilson Monologue Competition were, from left, Pittsburgh CAPA of DaMya Gurley, Naomi Allen of Obama Academy and Lawrence Davis of CAPA.
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Finalists in the regional August Wilson Monologue contest

Asia Jackson

Finalists in the regional August Wilson Monologue contest

Meet the 35 participants in the finals of the Pittsburgh regional August Wilson Monologue Competition at the August Wilson Center Monday at 6:30 p.m.

The annual competition honoring the late Pittsburgh native and two-time Pulitzer Prize-winner is for high school students grades 9-12. The regional competition is administered by the Bill Nunn Theatre Outreach Project, founded by the actor who died on Sept. 24.

First- and second-place Pittsburgh finalists are eligible to travel to New York City to compete in the national monologue contest at Broadway’s August Wilson Theatre. Participants attend workshops and attend a Broadway performance courtesy of Kenny Leon's True Colors Theatre Company in the lead up to the final competition on May 2.

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Participants competing to be Pittsburgh champions are:

Pittsburgh CAPA 11th-grader Christian Carter delivers a monologue from
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Pittsburgh's August Wilson Monologue winners crowned

* Nia Arrington, Pittsburgh CAPA, 11th grade, Ma Rainey, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

* Kirsa Awkward, Brashear High School, 11th grade, Molly, "Joe Turner's Come and Gone"

* Ellie Balk, Pittsburgh CAPA, ninth grade, Harmond Wilkes, "Radio Golf"

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* Vinka Bencic, ninth grade, Becker, "Jitney"

* Christian Carter, Pittsburgh CAPA, 11th grade, Becker, "Jitney"

* Bryce Chisom, Obama Academy, 11th grade, Ma Rainey, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

* Sonya Coltin, Pittsburgh CAPA ninth grade, Bernice, "The Piano Lesson"

* Delajah Dennis, Holy Family Academy, 11th grade, Bernice, "The Piano Lesson"

* Kiara Dorsey, Holy Family Academy, 9th grade, Vera, "Seven Guitars"

* Lydia Evans, West Mifflin High School, 11th grade, Bernice, "The Piano Lesson"

* Ariyana Gullen, West Mifflin High School, 10th grade, King Hedley II, "King Hedley II"

* Summer Helvy, Pittsburgh CAPA, 11th grade, Tonya, "King Hedley II"

* Amira Jackson, Pittsburgh CAPA, ninth grade, Tonya, "King Hedley II"

* Jamaica Johnson, Pittsburgh CAPA, ninth grade, Bernice, "The Piano Lesson"

* Elizabeth Katchen, Pittsburgh CAPA, 10th grade, Tonya, "King Hedley II"

* Dara Kovacevic, Pittsburgh CAPA, 10th grade, Mame Wilks, "Radio Golf"

* Mya Lane, Holy Family Academy, 11th grade, Martha Loomis Pentecost, "Joe Turner's Come and Gone"

* Itunu Lawal, Brashear High School, 12th grade, Toledo, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

* Laela Lumsden, Pittsburgh CAPA, ninth grade, King Hedley II, "King Hedley II"

* Alexis Mckenzie, Pittsburgh CAPA, ninth grade, Rena, "Jitney"

* Elizabeth Montgomery-Wofford, West Mifflin High School, 11th grade, Ma Rainey, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

* Casandra Nickelson, West Mifflin High School, 10th grade, Tonya, "King Hedley II"

* Samira Pollard, West Mifflin High School, ninth grade, Rena, "Jitney"

* Riyan Russell, Holy Family Academy, ninth grade, Troy, "Fences"

* Tyler Schuster, West Mifflin High School, 10th grade, King Hedley II, "King Hedley II"

* Ariana Scott, Holy Family Academy, 10th grade, Lymon, "The Piano Lesson"

* Jhaunea Sherr, Holy Family Academy, ninth grade, Louise, "Seven Guitars"

* Qasai Smalls, Woodland Hills High School, 11th grade, King Hedley II, "King Hedley II"

* Cheyenne Squire, Pittsburgh CAPA, ninth grade, Vera, "Seven Guitars"

* Andonetta Trageser, Pittsburgh CAPA, ninth grade, Rena, "Jitney"

* Clarence Turner, West Mifflin High School, 11th grade, Becker, "Jitney"

* Michael Washington, Pittsburgh CAPA, 11th grade, Vera, "Seven Guitars"

* Amaru Williams, Pittsburgh CAPA, 12th grade, Leeve, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom"

* Angel Wilson, West Mifflin High School, 11th grade, Molly, "Joe Turner's Come and Gone"

* Denise Woods, Pittsburgh CAPA, ninth grade, Rose, “Fences”

First Published: March 6, 2017, 2:35 p.m.

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The finalists in the 2016 August Wilson Monologue Competition were, from left, Pittsburgh CAPA of DaMya Gurley, Naomi Allen of Obama Academy and Lawrence Davis of CAPA.  (Asia Jackson)
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