Acting Out: The Manhattan Monologue Slam May 2005 Written by Nichelle Stephens
	Shawn Williams   Photo Credit: Donald Black Jr.

To be a struggling actor in New York means you have to pay your dues by going on countless auditions, reading Backstage religiously and waiting tables. For talent agents, it's difficult to find that diamond-in-the-rough actor who may be "the one" for the role. For New Yorker audiences, there are so many plays, poetry readings and stand-up comedy shows that it's tough to decide what to see.

The Galinsky Brothers, Robert and Philip, have an entertaining solution with their monthly Manhattan Monologue Slam. On the first Tuesday of every month at the Bowery Poetry Club, the slam happens. The Manhattan Monologue Slam is a competition where undiscovered actors have a chance to perform in front of talent scouts. Ten actors have only three minutes each to show off their acting skills, and they do it by performing a monologue of their choosing. Then the judges deliver the scores and the audience cheers on their favorites. This competition is not like Amateur Night at the Apollo Theatre, nor is like the cloying American Idol. The packed crowd was energetic and supportive and the actors were talented.

Five-time MMSlam Champ Allison Findlater passes the torch to new MMSlam Champ Shawn Williams as he smiles with glee at his new title and $100 prize money. Photo Credit: Donald Black Jr.

All of the performances were fantastic, and the winner for the May competition was the engaging Shawn Williams. He performed a piece from Charles Smith's play Knock Me A Kiss.

The winner gets $100 and a giant trophy.

The second half of the show is the open-mike lightning round. Actors can sign up before the show to get thirty seconds to perform a very short monologue. Thirty seconds is all a thespian needs to make an impression on the crowd and the judges. Seeing how quickly an actor can grab the audience's attention is amazing. The winner of the open mike receives $30, which works out to be a dollar per second. If only everyone could get rewarded at that rate!

Co-host Philip Galinsky lets the three-minute monologuers know that it only takes thirty seconds to make an impression. Photo Credit: Donald Black Jr.	Co-host Robert Galinsky and new MMSlam Champ Shawn Williams share a triumphant laugh together. Photo Credit: Donald Black Jr.

Funny co-hosts Philip and Robert Galinsky keep the pace fast at the Manhattan Monologue Slam, and they also entertain us with their comedic characters that pop up throughout the show. The Galinsky Brothers are facilitating talent and fostering fun for actors who are seriously going for their dreams. Plus, it's a thrill for an audience member to know he or she may be the first to witness the next Meryl Streep or Denzel Washington.

The next Manhattan Monologue Slam is June 7, 2005.

The website is http://manhattanmonologueslam.com/
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Have it all and have a ball,
Nichelle
http://nichellenewsletter.typepad.com/