The 2013 Monologue Madness competition last Sunday at The Miracle Theatre saw two relative newcomers to the DC scene compete their way through a pack of 32, and elbow out of the running such familiar DC performers as Jjana Valentiner, Katie Culligan, John C. Bailey and Josh Sticklin in the first three rounds. Sticklin was still in for the semi-final, before bowing out to the two actresses who punched through the Cold read and into the final head-to-head.
Here’s who they are and how they managed the upset: Karina Hilleard (Champion and winner of the $1,000 cash prize) and runner-up Shaina Lynn.
Karina Hilleard:
How long have you been performing?
Professionally since I was 16. I am originally from Essex, just outside of East London in the UK and after 3 intensive years of drama school I worked consistently in London for 3 years before moving to the USA to be with the love of my life and now husband in 2010. I have been finding my feet in the DC theatre scene really only for about a year, since I received my green-card last October, so I am hoping DC theatre will be seeing more of me now and in the future!
Favorite roles so far?
… tough question because I adore performing so many different styles of theatre. Classically, I think I would have to say Clytemnestra in Aeschylus’ Agamemnon or Anna in Anna Christie by Eugene O’Neill. Contemporary work I would say my current role as Timby in Allyson Currin’s Benched with Pinky Swear Productions – she is always in a tailspin and she’s a joy to play. I also adore British Pantomime which is becoming more well known in the US and I have performed numerous times in DC with The British Players – clowning, buffoonary, fun!
Which monologues did you use?
For the Comedy Round – I chose an excerpt from Franca Rame’s A Woman Alone – The story of Sharon, a woman imprisoned in her flat by her husband. It’s the kind of laugh now, cry later piece, totally brilliant. Drama Round – a piece from Gordon Steel’s Like A Virgin – The story of two friends and their teen traumas as they grow up. It is bursting with wit and vitality… but at the same time incredibly moving & my classical piece was from Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale – Hermonie’s last plea for her life.
How long did you take to get ready for the competition?
Once I heard I had made it into the top 32, I was thrilled and I started choosing my pieces straight away. I had a few ideas of what I wanted to perform, but we only had one minute to perform in each round, which to an actor seems no time at all. So I wanted to choose pieces that told a story within that short amount of time, ones that set up the scenes quickly for the audience so the context wasn’t confused and also showcased my variety of acting skills and I felt the monologues I chose did that.
Tell us about the cold read portion.
The Cold read was from The Evangelist where the character was taking questions from a self-help audience, not a piece I was familiar with. I knew we only had a few minutes and just through reading it once, I knew it could be played many different ways – comedic or dramatic, but I decided to find the fun in the piece as a few moments jumped out to me making me giggle, as I tried to (as quickly as I could) decide who this character was. I had fun and I think the audience did too. It was awesome seeing the other 3 competitor’s interpretations too – all so different.
Who would you say was your most awesome competitor?
Definitely Shaina Lynn – she was a tough competitor, very versatile and quick witted. I also enjoyed Josh Sticklin’s performances. I found him very natural, great charasma and really watchable. There were some amazing performances.
What roles would you love to be cast in – next season, or in the next five years.
I hope to grow my network within the DC Theatre scene substantially in the next 5 years and grab hold of any and every opportunity that comes my way, should I be so lucky. I hope to work hard and create thought provoking work I can be proud of with other incredible artists.
Any chance to see you on stage in the coming months?
YES! Soon… Pinky Swear Productions Spring Rep ‘The Unclear Family’ – April 26-May 19 you can catch me in Allyson Currin’s ‘Benched’ Directed by Matt Ripa.
Details and tickets
Send out a message to casting directors:
I am enjoying learning all about the DC theatre scene and really love the amazing work and companies I am encountering. I seek challenging roles that allow me to make the audience feel something and question everything. I consider myself a professional, well-rounded, versatile performer but I am always eager to learn and grow so I hope you will contact me for future work, if I don’t contact you first!
the personal stuff …
I currently live in Silver Spring, MD, with my amazingly supportive husband – Jason. We have amazing, wonderful family & friends in DC, Baltimore, New York and further field in Atlanta, Florida and of course the United Kingdom.
Shaina Lynn
How long have you been performing?
I’ve been performing for my family and friends since I was a seven years old.
Favorite roles so far?
Lillian, from Proud Nigga To Soldier by Poet AF Black
What monologues did you use?
Comedy: Rose, from The Lights by Howard Korder
Dramatic: Jackie Bolton, from The Katrina Project: Hell and High Water by Michael Marks and Mackenzie Westmoreland
Classical: Clytaemnestra, from Electra by Sophocles
How long did you take to get ready for the competition?
I began exploring and rediscovering pieces from friends and my training as soon as I made it in the competition. My study and passion for acting prepared me.
Tell us about the cold read portion.
This was my favorite portion of the competition because I LOVE improv. I pulled from so many different people for that piece. Eddie Murphy in Holy Man and Oprah, just to name a few.
Who would you saw was your most awesome competitor?
During the competition, I was focused on performing to the best of my ability. I hadn’t paid attention to the other competitors until the final two. There was Monologue Madness! It was like, “Hey where’d you come from?” Karina was great and it was a pleasure to see her perform.
What roles would you love to be cast in – next season, or in the next five years.
Juliet from Romeo and Juliet of course. And my dream role is Hamlet, different I know but it can happen. I look forward to playing roles from new plays, it’s always a refreshing experience.
I’d love to explore Yazmin, from Water by the Spoonful, which the Studio Theatre is producing next season.
Any chance to see you on stage in the coming months?
Yes, I will be debuting my one woman show, Bayou Blues at Capital Fringe [July 11 – 28, 2013].
Send out a message to casting directors:
Shaina Lynn is a New Orleans native. She carried her bayou flare all the way to Marymount Manhattan College, where she recently obtained a B.A. in Theatre Arts. Now you can catch this Cajun Queen featuring and performing at numerous poetry spots in the DMV.
Be sure to catch her debut one-woman show, Bayou Blues, at Capital Fringe this July. Shaina’s taking the audience on a poetic journey through her life. She will capture the audiences’ imagination and inspire you to reach above your own obstacles.
Shaina Lynn on Facebook for more info.
Shaina Lynn’s channel on YouTube
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Producer Edward Daniels tells us there will definitely be Monologue Madness, 2014, and there’s a chance the Madness might be spreading.
No video yet from 2013, but here’s a taste from 2012.
Both Karina and Shaina were excellent! It was a tough choice! I was one of the 6 finalist judges and both these ladies impressed!
Just a quick note, the final cold read monologue was from the play Jeffrey by Paul Rudnick.