Virtual Monologue Fest

Registration for the current session is now closed. Thanks for your interest!

Court Theatre is pleased to announce round two of its Virtual Monologue Fest. In considering what we might be able to do as part of Chicago’s theatre community during this time, we turned to the things that Court Theatre does best: energizing classic texts, both new and old, to illuminate timeless stories and gathering our community in conversation around these works. Our hope is that this festival of voices can act as an opportunity for connection and engagement during this current moment of upheaval and isolation.

The Virtual Monologue Fest offers an opportunity for students interested in acting and writing to participate in small group workshops over the course of 2 weeks.

In these virtual meetings, the participants will be coached by professional artists towards one of two goals: writing a 1-minute original monologue, or developing a monologue for performance. The inspiration for these pieces of work will draw upon the themes of two recent Court productions: King Hedley II and Oedipus Rex. At the conclusion of the 2-week workshop period, participants will have the opportunity to share their work with their peers and community through previously recorded video presentations. 

In these workshop groups, participants will not only be able to gain training and advice from professionals working in the field, but will also be able to engage in important dialogues about lived experiences with their mentors and other peers, offering encouragement and constructive feedback about their ideas while connecting in this virtual space together.

As a participant in the Virtual Monologue Fest, you’ll: 

• Be a part of a creative team,
• Have the opportunity to receive guidance and coaching from a professional artist,
• Receive individual attention on your writing and performing skills, and
• Learn skills and tools that can also be applied to making meaning in this moment  while broadening  performance and writing skills.

Workshops will begin June 29, 2020. Registration will close June 22, 2020 at 5:00pm. We hope to offer sessions to UChicago students, CPS students, and the broader Chicago youth community. We are excited to explore this new format for engaging with plays that remain timely and relevant, and are so central to Court’s mission of sharing vital stories with our community at a time when lifting our voice feels so essential.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the time commitment for participation?

Workshops will begin June 29, 2020. The workshop process will take place over a two week period. Participants will be expected to attend virtual meetings over Zoom. Scheduling of virtual meetings will be handled based on the availability of all members of each group.

Do I have to present my work? 

All participants will be asked to share their work within their group workshop to receive feedback. Students will have the option at the end of the program to record their work to be shared via Court’s social media channels to the broader community. If students do not want anyone outside their small group to see their work, they do not have to share more broadly.

What is the cost to participate?

The Virtual Monologue Fest is free! Court Theatre is offering this program at no cost to participants.

Court’s Virtual Monologue Fest is produced in conjunction with University of Chicago’s Office of Civic Engagement.

Featured Sponsor Allstate Insurance Co.

Ensemble Sponsors Lise and Ed Spacapan

Posted on June 3, 2020 in Theatre News