Portland observer., February 12, 2014, Special Edition, Page 5, Image 5

February 12, 2014
Portland Observer
Black HistOiy Month____________________ Pages
Actor Russell Hornsby,, star of the popular and Portland-filmed TV series “Grimm, ” leads an August Wilson Monologue Competition for local high school students.
Budding Actors Hone Skills
c o n t i n u e d f r o m page 3
sharpened,” said Jones. “You don't
develop skills unless you have some­
thing to measure it against. When
we're in a competitive environment,
we work harder. When we're trained
and tutored, we also learn what
doesn't work, and we develop a pro­
cess to improve.”
“This is an important program
for Portland especially,” he contin­
ued. “We have more millennials
moving here than any other city in
the country, and they're bringing a
different paradigm. They don't think
of race the same way older genera­
tions do.”
Jones says by celebrating a play­
wright of color and performers of all
colors, “It makes it not only about
theatre— it’s directly connected to
equity, and our city’s future.”
The competition is heating up as
these budding actors prepare for
regional finals next month.
“I want to have the opportunity
to broaden my horizons, to expand
and show the world what I am ca­
pable of,” said one contestant.
“August W ilson portrays his
characters in an original and com­
manding way that reminds us of the
racial prejudice we must battle in our
world, community and, most impor­
tantly, ourselves,” said another.
First, second, and third-place fi­
nalists will receive cash rewards and
a flight to New York City, where
they’ll perform on Broadway along­
side the best young actors from Los
Angeles, Chicago, New York, and
other major cities in the U.S. In ad­
dition, Portland Actors Conserva­
tory will award the eligible regional
winner with a full academic, two-
year scholarship valued at over
$21,000.
Leaders from Portland’s act­
ing com m unity are supporting the
A ugust W ilson project. H olly­
wood actor Russell Hornsby, for
exam ple, is on the roster of teach­
ing artists. Known for his starring
roles in N B C ’s G rim m , ABC
F am ily’s L incoln H eights, and
H B O ’s In Treatm ent, Hornsby has
also appeared in film s such as
A fter the Sunset and Get Rich or
D ieT ryin.’
As for the finals event coming
next month, Jones guarantees it will
be a night to remember.
“These students have internal­
ized these monologues to the point
where they've become these char­
acters. The performances will be
intense, not only because it’s a com­
petition, but because these 16 stu­
dents have become an extraordi­
nary team, supporting and inspiring
each other to make their monologues
even better. It's going to be a rock­
ing good time.”
The finals will take place March
3 at 7 p.m. in the Ellyn Bye Studio at
the Armory’s Gerding Theatre. The
event is open to the public and free
to attend. Spots are going quickly,
however, so those interested are
encouraged to reserve their seats
now at reddoorproject.org.
t
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