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| May MMSlam Champ Shawn Williams rocks the house with a piece from |
| Photo Credit:Donald Black Jr. |
| Some of New York's best one-person shows are never seen. Every day, hundreds of hard-working actors are rigorously rehearsing monologues, isolated in their apartments.
Now the time has come for these actors to bring their work to the stage, face an eager audience, and maybe even advance their careers. The Manhattan Monologue Slam is a monthly event held at the Bowery Poetry Club, a downtown haven for spoken-word performance.
This is the American Idol of monologue performance. Ten performers have three minutes to impress industry judges and the packed-to-capacity crowd, which cheers or jeers the judges' tallies.
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| The Galinsky Brothers hold up the coveted |
| Photo Credit:Donald Black Jr. |
| The crowd buzzes with energy. It's an eclectic mix of friends and family (including children), industry people, downtown enthusiasts, and, of course, a slew of fellow actors—some with recognizable faces. They spill over the seats into the aisle and line up along the bar, crowding to get a glimpse, like lab scientists anticipating a groundbreaking event.
And indeed there is much to watch. The Galinsky brothers, Phillip and Robert, host the show. Their antics alone are enough to keep the audience entertained. Their alter egos, Mandy Merlot and Randy, also take turns hosting. The brothers are a dynamic duo. Their dedication to the performers is exemplary in the way they foster a supportive yet lively environment. As Phillip puts it, The Monologue Slam is not about cutthroat competition and egos but about "accessible, uplifting, supportive theater."
As for the performances, there are some electrifying ones. And, of course, a competition wouldn't be complete without a few flops. But even the flops are successes because the audience generously celebrates risk taking, starting with just getting up onstage. In the performer-friendly climate of the Poetry Club, a performer's dedication and effort often trump virtuosity.
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| Co-host Philip Galinsky pumps up the actors who have signed up for the |
| Photo Credit:Donald Black Jr. |
| This month, the award (a self-mocking prize of $100 and a laughable trophy title) went to an animated Shawn Williams, who expertly captivated the audience with a monologue from Charles Smith's play Knock Me a Kiss. Close on his heels was the reigning five-time champ, Alison Findlater, who performed a moving piece (from Sapphire's one-woman show Strange Fruit) that was inspired by the killing of Latasha Harlins, an African-American youth shot in the back by a Korean-American storeowner.
Contestants may also write their own material, as did Alan Harris, who was oddly amusing as a high-strung neurotic in love. Mary Purdy also wrote her piece, "The Lecture," a cleverly comic spin on obsessive cooking as an erotic sublimation that arises from a failed relationship.
After the major competition, The Monologue Slam hosts a 30-second slam where any aspiring thespian can jump onstage for a few seconds of fame. Most choose comedy, but some make admirable attempts at seriocomic material and even tragedy. The contest is text-based, and impromptu autobiographical pieces are discouraged. Despite this, there are occasional misguided entries from audience members who are seeking expressive outlets and are encouraged by the supportive environment (not to mention liquid courage from the bar).
The result is a cornucopia of talents and stories—some pleasant surprises, others sour misses. The winner of the 30-second slam, James Mount, took home an even more laughable prize: $30. But he also enters next month's three-minute competition, which, as Findlater attests, can catapult a career in incalculable ways. Drawing the attention of casting directors, agents, and independent filmmakers, The Monologue Slam is not only a great theater laboratory but is increasingly becoming a launching point for struggling actors.
In addition to the 30-second competition, the Galinsky brothers now offer annual auditions and informal meetings. So whether you are working on a monologue or just want to see actors giving it their best, The Monologue Slam is a wonderful event for all. Despite the inevitable margin of error in such experimental projects, The Slam hosts some of the city's most promising talents.
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Bowery Poetry Club
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Category: Solo Performance
Written by: various
Directed by: The Galinsky Brothers
Produced by: MMSlam Inc.
Opened: September 20, 2004
Closed: March 20, 2006
Running Time: 2 hours
Theater: Bowery Poetry Club
Address: 308 Bowery
New York, NY 10012
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Tickets: $6.00
2 for 1 with web printout
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Creative Team The Galinsky Brothers
Produced by: Stella Artois and NYCastings.com
Sound and Lighting: Sacha and Oveta
Scoreboard: John Floesca
Talent Wrangler: Nnenko Akpan
Promotions: Aaron Seals
Art Direction and Web site: Manny Dilone
Judges for May:
Allison Hall (Andreadis Agency)
Brette Goldstein (casting director)
Onye Anyanwu (Amhalise Casting)
Robert Russell (casting director)
Actors for May:
Allison Findlater
Mary Purdy
Alan Harris
Maya Martin
Heather Berman
Matt Walker
Shawn Williams (First Prize)
Adam Auslander
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