Our 2026 Finalists Are:
Sadie Bridges
Corian Dawson
Jarius Wright
Madie Grove
Annie Edge Scholarship Finalists
Justyce Swatzwell
Teagan Johnson
Ella Burns
Ava Webber
Alena Craig
Bryce Beasley
Amari Leonard
Jordyn Osbourne
Noah Lavigne
Jayden Samuels
The "Century Cycle Continues" Monologue Competition, inspired by legendary playwright August Wilson, challenges the next generation to keep Black American storytelling alive by performing classic and contemporary works.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
“ I want these students to know that achieving high levels of success in the arts is not just a dream—it's real and tangible.”
Danielle Brooks
The Century Cycle Continues Competition Rules
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Who Can Submit and How to Submit
Any High Schooler* between the ages of 14-18 years old living in South Carolina.
Upload a 1–2-minute monologue video from a play written by a prominent Black playwright, ensuring the content is age-appropriate and free of profanity or derogatory language.
*SC Governor's School students are not eligible for the CCC competition.
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Prizes
First Place
$2000Second Place
$1000Third Place
$500 -
Important Dates
Video Submission Due
January 3, 202610 Finalists Notified
February 3, 2026CCC Live Competition
February 28, 2026 -
Competition Day
10 finalists will compete at the SC Governor’s School for the Arts and Humanities in front of a live audience. Finalists will be judged by 3-5 esteemed artists. (SCGSAH faculty will not be serving as judges.)
The Governor’s School is located at 15 University Street, Greenville, SC 29601
What is a Monologue?
A monologue is a scene or performance moment where one character speaks for an extended time (a solo speech), unlike dialogue, which is a conversation. This intense speech usually involves the character sharing their deep thoughts, feelings, or telling a story, and it can be directed at another character, the audience, or even spoken aloud to themselves.
Suggested Playwrights
Suggested Playwrights
Photo by: Emilio Madrid
August Wilson
Katori Hall
Brandon Jacobs Jenkins
Dominique Morisseau
Lynn Nottage
Susan Lori Parks
Jordan E. Cooper
Danai Gurira
Pearl Cleage
Tarell Alvin McCraney
Suzan- Lori Parks
Anna Deavere Smith
Robert O’hara
Jocelyn Bioh
Dael Orlandersmith
And so many more…
Annie Edge Scholarship
For Governor's School Students
The Annie Edge Scholarship will be awarded to one senior attending the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities that delivers the best contemporary monologue from a play written by a black playwright. Three students will be chosen to compete live on February 28 for the grand prize of $5000. Submit your video by January 3, 2026. (SCGSAH faculty will not be judging any part of the competition.)
WHO IS ANNIE EDGE?
Annie Edge was Danielle Brooks’ godmother, who profoundly supported her acting career and helped fund her journey and admission into The Juilliard School. She unfortunately passed away before getting to witness Danielle graduate from SCGSAH.
Enter the Competition!
Enter the Competition!
Ready to show us what you got?
Fill out this form and upload your video below for a life-changing opportunity.
We believe in you!
A Message from Danielle Brooks
Creating The Century Cycle Continues Monologue Competition with SCGSAH is a profound full-circle moment driven by gratitude. My success, from the foundation built at the Governor's School to my acceptance at Juilliard, was secured by a $20,000 legacy from my late godmother, Annie Edge, who believed in my dreams as if they were her own. This competition is my way of honoring her belief and giving back to the place that shaped me. My greatest desire is to ignite the fire in the next generation of artists and show them that achieving high levels of success is not just a dream, but can be their tangible reality on the very stage where my own journey began.
-Danielle Brooks
Support Our Mission
Support this opportunity for the work of classic and contemporary playwrights of color to find new life through the next generation of young artists.