Atlanta

Atlanta Regionals

It’s that Atlanta energy, a vibe like none other that influences everything – from being the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement to the epicenter of southern hip-hop to home of the fiercest theatrical talent on the planet. Next Narrative^TM Monologue Competition (NNMC) is more than a competition. Atlanta’s best and brightest high school artists amplify creativity at the intersection of artistic excellence and civic engagement. For our 2023-24, season we’re leaning more into what it means to develop the whole student, not just the performer. And for Atlanta’s educators, NNMC is another resource to help support the emotional-social learning component of school systems’ curricula.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in 1 of 4 master classes that will enhance their acting skills and elevate these students as artists. These students will progress through three rounds of competition: preliminaries, semi-finals, and a regional final. The top two winners from the Atlanta regional competition will receive an all expense paid trip to New York City to compete against the winners of the other 12 regions.

DIGITAL PROGRAM

Atlanta Regionals

It’s that Atlanta energy, a vibe like none other that influences everything – from being the cradle of the Civil Rights Movement to the epicenter of southern hip-hop to home of the fiercest theatrical talent on the planet. Next Narrative^TM Monologue Competition (NNMC) is more than a competition. Atlanta’s best and brightest high school artists amplify creativity at the intersection of artistic excellence and civic engagement. For our 2023-24, season we’re leaning more into what it means to develop the whole student, not just the performer. And for Atlanta’s educators, NNMC is another resource to help support the emotional-social learning component of school systems’ curricula.

Students will have the opportunity to participate in 1 of 4 master classes that will enhance their acting skills and elevate these students as artists. These students will progress through three rounds of competition: preliminaries, semi-finals, and a regional final. The top two winners from the Atlanta regional competition will receive an all expense paid trip to New York City to compete against the winners of the other 12 regions.

DIGITAL PROGRAM

Master Classes

We offer four masterclasses full of innovative techniques to enhance student’s acting abilities. The skills that are developed in these workshops will not only elevate students as an artist but also empower them as advocates. Our focus is on teaching theatre through the lens of social change, and we believe that theatre has the power to shape and influence society in meaningful ways. By exploring relevant social issues, we aim to inspire our students to create impactful art that can challenge, educate, and inspire audiences.

Master Classes

We offer four masterclasses full of innovative techniques to enhance student’s acting abilities. The skills that are developed in these workshops will not only elevate students as an artist but also empower them as advocates. Our focus is on teaching theatre through the lens of social change, and we believe that theatre has the power to shape and influence society in meaningful ways. By exploring relevant social issues, we aim to inspire our students to create impactful art that can challenge, educate, and inspire audiences.

Faculty

This season’s faculty trained in LAMOA, the Living Authentically Method of Artistry developed by Jade Lambert-Smith of The Everyday Actor. LAMOA uses a variety of embodied and introspective tools to encourage artists in developing their authentic voices while grounding in a foundation of emotional balance, personal advocacy, and valiant space for NNMC’s emotionally charged and socially relevant content.

Faculty

This season’s faculty trained in LAMOA, the Living Authentically Method of Artistry developed by Jade Lambert-Smith of The Everyday Actor. LAMOA uses a variety of embodied and introspective tools to encourage artists in developing their authentic voices while grounding in a foundation of emotional balance, personal advocacy, and valiant space for NNMC’s emotionally charged and socially relevant content.

Jade Maia Lambert | Associate Producer

The Next Narrative monologue competition expands the creative horizon of all who encounter the gritty contemporary topics explored in each piece. Participants are transformed from their ability to connect with monologues that authentically reflect their lived experience. These interactions build immediate connections that elevate their experience as learners, leaders, and artists.

Ryan Boone | Teaching Artist

NNMC is important to the world of theatre because it gives young black artists a voice. It connects them to the ideals of past story telling griots to help shape the stories of those yet unborn.

Michael B. Cook, II | Teaching Artist

It's important for the youth to be impacted to use their voices for good, especially in their developmental high school years. I believe this competition is instrumental in helping them find their voice as well as being a voice for others. IG: @michaelbahsil. TikTok: @bahsilthereal. Twitter/X: @TheMBahsil.

Amitria Fanae’ | Teaching Artist

Art holds a reflection for the world to see itself. NNMC creates space for artists to tell and share these stories bringing awareness & healing. IG: Amitria Fanae’.

Anthony Goolsby | Teaching Artist

The NNMC is important because it provides these children an opportunity to show their 360 degree utility as humans, through mental, physical, and spiritual performance. They are the very life blood of the Theatre. IG: @goolsbyfree. TikTok: @PatternBreaker. Facebook: Anthony S. Goolsby.

Terry Henry | Team Lead

I believe that Next Narrative is important to the world of theatre because it gives high school students the ability to decide how they want to express themselves through acting by choosing monologues that are the closest to their hearts and/or experiences. It also gives Black writers, who have not acquired a large following, a larger platform to showcase their work. Additionally, students learn various techniques through art that will assist them in their personal spheres for a lifetime. IG: @terrytimehenry. TikTok: @terrytime. Facebook: Terry Henry.

Nia Lancelin-Brantly | Team Lead

As a teacher for over 20 years and in going through my first training with NNMC, I think of the values being instilled into these young artists that they will carry with them for a lifetime. Not only the 4 As, but I would include integrity, confidence, value, and most importantly connection to what this experience brings. The whole person is welcome and accepted in this process and that's what makes a great artist! IG: @Niatheartist_ and @thriveartistsgroup. TikTok: @nia_mentallyhealed. Facebook: Nia Brantly.

Tangela Large | Teaching Artist

I believe that art without cultural context discourages young people from pursuing a career in the arts. Next Narrative provides a contextual home base for students, playwrights, and teaching artists alike; allowing all a space to ask better questions, curate deeper performances, and face one’s deepest fears. Next Narrative is where the past, present, and future generations of black artists meet. Social: @ms.large.

Raven Jalise Pace | Teaching Artist

Next Narrative is realizing that stories are ever evolving! We are taking the time to honor the stories of our past, present and future. We are inspiring the future and taking up space in the present. Next narrative is leading space to be heard and provoking the world to listen. Social: @__jalise.

Justen Ross | Teaching Artist

What I resonate with most is the fact that high school actors have the opportunity to choose from the diversity of narratives provided. This is important because the students are able to engage with what stories they are passionate about sharing. This along with the LAMOA breeds a new era of intentional artists who are clear about where they should lend their voices! IG: @jussten. TikTok: @heyjusten.

Galen J. Williams | Teaching Artist

As a former participant of what was then the AWMC in Atlanta and the first National round winner of the competition, it is a full circle moment for me to now impart so much of the knowledge and experience I’ve gained from my career to this next generation of young artists. NNMC helps students find agency and bravery in their personal truths and gives them an amazing opportunity to connect to their humanity in bold, unique, and impactful ways and I am so honored to be a part of this radical movement in theatre for the global majority. IG: @theegalenjwilliams. TikTok: @theegalenjwilliams.

Markell Williams | Teaching Artist

NNMC is important to the world of theatre because it is important for young black artists to see themselves in the stories they tell! These stories are crafted by individuals who look like them, some with backgrounds and upbringings like them so these young black artists are not having to fit themselves into stories that wasn’t crafted with them in mind! IG: @Markell.Williams. Facebook: Markell Williams.