Lopez Represented Southern California and Center Theater Group
Photo by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging
Pablo Lopez, a senior at the Ramón C. Cortines School of Visual and Performing Arts, placed second at the sixth annual national finals of the August Wilson Monologue Competition (AWMC) on Monday, May 6, 2013, at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway.
Lopez had participated in the Southern California AWMC regional finals hosted by Center Theatre Group on March 4 at the Mark Taper Forum.
Lopez, who placed first in the regional finals, has become an avid fan of Wilson’s work. Earlier this year he said, “I want people to know… that it’s worth fighting for your voice. I’ve been around people who have not been able to share their voices. At the corner of my street … there are like 10 homeless people who nobody knows. And I’m grateful for August Wilson to show that everyone’s voice is important.”
Ten local high school students competed at the Taper. As the top regional finalist, Lopez was guaranteed a spot in the May 6 national finals. Rhyver White of Hawthorne and Eliana Pipes of Altadena, second and third place regional finalists respectively, advanced as national semifinalists and performed in a semifinal round in New York City on Monday morning. Both then advanced to the national finals round and competed with Lopez on Monday evening.
Designed to help students from all backgrounds connect with a significant part of American history and gain theatre and performance skills, the national competition was inaugurated in 2007 by Wilson’s long-time collaborators Kenny Leon and Todd Kreidler of True Colors Theatre Company.
This is the second year that CTG has been the Southern California home for the national program, which includes theatres from Atlanta, New York, Chicago, Boston, Seattle and Pittsburgh. Each city runs the program differently, but the goal is the same: to introduce high school students to August Wilson’s works, and to help students of all backgrounds explore their own creativity.
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