Video of Manhattan Monologue Slam champ Ebony Coles defending her title last summer
The long-running Manhattan Monologue Slam – part Masterpiece Theater, part American Idol – is now being presented every Wednesday night at 92YTribeca. In 5 years of existence, as the performance grew from small East Village cafes to it’s current home at 92YTribeca, the Manhattan Monologue Slam has staged over 1000 actors and played host to over 200 industry professionals on its panel.
Presented in two acts, Act One of the Slam features 8 pre-selected actors who perform 3-minute theatrical monologues (both dramatic and comedic), while Act Two features actors from the audience who have signed up on the spot to perform 30-second mini monologues. The show has developed a reputation as a launching pad for work for those who do well. After Allison Findlater won the first Slam in 2004, she told the New York Times: ‘’I’ve been sent out continuously now, whereas I couldn’t even get through the doors of some of these agents. So it’s been huge for me.’’ The next MMS will be on April 22.
Upcoming events at 92YTribeca:
Film: Short Slam #6 hosted by Ray Privett, president of Cinema Purgatorio, and comedian Victor Varnado: Apr 18
Comedy Below Canal: Paul F. Tompkins and Friends with Lisa deLarios and Musical Guest Ted Leo: Apr 23
Edward Albee, David Henry Hwang, Deborah Brevoort and David Grimm on Mentoring in the Arts: Apr 29
