March 12, 2025 (MILWAUKEE) — On Monday, March 10, 2025, Milwaukee Repertory Theater (Milwaukee Rep) held the 2025 regionals for the Next Narrative Monologue Competition, a national program for high school students featuring the work of contemporary Black playwrights created by Kenny Leon’s True Colors Theatre Company. Milwaukee Rep is one of many regional cities participating, offering free workshops across the city to prepare students in the selections and rehearsal of their monologue.
Thatcher Jacobs from Kettle Moraine High School was awarded First place for his performance of The Prophet by Idris Goodwin. In Second place was Silver Anderson from Golda Meir High School who performed Same by Cheryl West, and runner up Olivia Cross-Luster from Pius XI High School performed Daughterby Cheryl L. West.
All three winners were awarded a cash prize and the First and Second place finishers will get the opportunity to represent Milwaukee on an all-expense paid trip to New York City where they will compete against other regional city competitors at the Apollo Theater in Harlem for additional books, scholarships, and prizes. Last year Milwaukee’s own Raichel West (Milwaukee Marshall High School) took home First Place and $3,000 in scholarship money at the 2024 Next Narrative Monologue Competition at New York City’s Apollo Theater.
“The National Next Narrative Monologue Competition is so much more than a competition as the students build community with one another while building confidence within themselves.” said Jenny Toutant, Milwaukee Rep’s Chief Education and Engagement Officer. “It is open to students of all experiences, creating equitable access to high quality theater training while building confidence in youth throughout the city.”
To learn more about the program visit Next Narrative Monologue Competition at Milwaukee Rep.
About Milwaukee Repertory Theater
Milwaukee Repertory Theater is one of the nation’s first regional theaters and Wisconsin’s largest performing arts organization, presenting a variety of world-class theater experiences that entertain, provoke, and engage audiences. Led byEllen & Joe Checota Executive Director Chad Bauman and Artistic Director Mark Clements, Milwaukee Rep is as an anchoring civic, economic and cultural institution in the downtown Milwaukee Theater District. Through staging new plays, beloved classics, compelling dramas, and full-scale musicals from emerging and established voices; its John D. Lewis New Play Development Program that incubates new work from a wide spectrum of innovative voices; education initiatives that eliminate barriers to the arts; and community engagement programs that bring people together to explore new perspectives, Milwaukee Rep inspires meaningful dialogue and enacts positive change within the Milwaukee community. With the opening of its new home in the Associated Bank Theater Center in Fall 2025, Milwaukee Rep will deepen and expand its reach with three state-of-the-art, fully accessible theaters, a dedicated education and engagement center, and a variety of welcoming community spaces. For more information, please visit www.MilwaukeeRep.com.
