Shakespeare Monologue Challenge

Terra Nova and EastSide Arts are delighted to launch our first ever Shakespeare monologue challenge, with cash prizes and opportunities to showcase at the 2024 EastSideArts Festival to be won.

The challenge closes at midnight on the 1st of May, 2024.

The entries will be judged by an intercultural panel including Terra Nova’s Artistic Director and the EastSideArts Officer.

Three prizes will be available: £200 the Panel’s choice, £200 the Artistic Director’s choice for immigrant and global majority performers, £100 the best Emerging Artist. All three performers will have the opportunity to present their monologue in one evening of live performance as part of the EastSideArts Festival 2024 (July 25-Aug 4).

Feeling nervous? A free Monologue Masterclass is taking place in Belfast on April 21st, 2024, but places are limited and you must book HERE.

The Rules

All entires must be submitted in the form of a link to a self-tape of a Shakespeare monologue. The monologue must be from the original (not a modern adaptation). Monologues featuring another language are permitted but 80% of the text must be in English. The challenge is only open to people 18 and over, living on the island of Ireland, or having previously performed live with Terra Nova in Ireland.

Entries must be received by midnight on the 1st of May 2024, by email to andrea@terranovaproductions. Please include your address and phone number in the email. Your email must include your monologue as a live link to a video hosted on a freely accessible platform such as youtube, vimeo, or any other platform you can make freely accessible to the judging panel. Do not send an email with a video attached. Our mailbox will overfill, and no entries will get through, including yours!

Winners will be notified by 15th May, and must be available to perform their monologue live or on a live link as part of the EastSideArts Festival 2024 (the Festival runs July 25 - 4 August this year), supported by the Terra Nova Artistic Director and a professional Shakespeare actor TBC. Awards will be paid after appearance in the Festival. Travel and accommodation will not be paid.

Family members of the judging panel, employees of Terra Nova and EastSideArts may not take part.