Submission Deadline: August 14
NATIONAL MONOLOGUE
COMPETITION & Festival
At the intersection of art and community is activism. Art that creates change. Rooted & Resilient centers stories of resilience, identity, and social change, creating a national platform where emerging and established artists can create work that reflects our community and the world we want to live in. One that is inclusive and celebrates humanity.
Rooted & Resilient is a gathering, a space where community, art, and activism meet.
Here, audiences are not asked to simply watch, but to engage, reflect, and participate in performance as a living force. An experience that has the power to change lives, build stronger communities, and honor the full spectrum of human experience.
Through this festival, we explore how storytelling can move us from passive observation to active participation, where art becomes a catalyst for dialogue, awareness, and transformation.
This work is deepened through our partnerships with organizations such as the Center for Artistic Activism, alongside a network of homegrown organizations committed to community building, cultural sustainability, diversity, and equity.
Together, we create an environment where:
Throughout the festival, we offer interactive workshops for the whole family and collaborative art engagements that invite participants of all ages to create, explore, and connect through shared artistic experiences.
Rooted & Resilient is not just something you attend, it is something you experience, contribute to, and carry forward.
Rooted & Resilient’s National Monologue Competition celebrates bold voices and powerful storytelling from artists across the country.
This competition uplifts young artists committed to truth, artistry, and work that reflects the depth and complexity of human experience.
Artists from across the nation submit monologues for consideration. Selected finalists are invited to Miami, Florida to present their work live as part of the Rooted & Resilient Festival.
Contestants must be between the ages of 14–22.
Finalists are selected in both categories and provided with three professional coaching sessions to prepare for their final performance.
The competition is not only about performance it is about voice, intention, and impact.
Participants are evaluated on:
ACTORS: PERFORMANCE CATEGORY
Actors submit a monologue (original or published) that showcases their ability to bring a story to life with depth, clarity, and presence.
PLAYWRIGHTS: WRITTEN MONOLOGUE CATEGORY
Playwrights submit an original monologue that reflects strong voice, character, and perspective.
FINALISTS EXPERIENCE
Finalists are invited to participate in a fully immersive festival experience.
They will:
AWARDS & RECOGNITION
Two winners will be selected—one from each category (Actor and Playwright).
Winners receive:
All finalists receive:
