The “LA Monologue/Song Slam” premiered last Saturday, May 7, 2022 at The Zephyr Theatre in West Hollywood.
Produced by Studio For Performing Arts LA and Moonlit Wings Productions, the Slam featured a line-up of 25 pre-selected actors performing 60-second monologues/songs in a fast-paced race. The performers compete for prizes with feedback from a panel of Hollywood industry judges in hopes to win the audience’s vote!
Director Walid Chaya shared a behind the scenes Q&A about the 2022 event:
What makes this event special?
Walid: The LA Monologue & Song Slam puts 25 actors and singers head-to-head in a dynamic and interactive performance competition. This program is at no cost to performers and was created as an opportunity to give industry exposure to underrepresented talent.
What did the performers win?
Walid: After the performances, the audience voted for their favorite performer who received a $100 cash prize. Additional prizes and studio scholarships were awarded to the entire cast valued at up to $600 to each performer.
How do you select the performers?
Walid: Los Angeles based performers were asked to prepare a monologue or song that is no longer than 60 seconds. We screened actors and singers from hundreds of online submissions and selected our top hundred performers for in-person and virtual auditions. From there, we cast our top 25 performers to compete in the LA Monologue & Song Slam.
Who were the judges and winners of the 2022 Slam?
Walid: The judges included Hollywood Casting Director/Producer Ani Avetyan, Personal Manager Jennifer Yeager, Singer/Songwriter Rawan Chaya and Creative Director/Producer Brice Corder. They gave feedback after each monologue and song to influence the audience’s vote for the winning performers.
Who were the winners of the 2022 Slam?
Walid: Congratulations to the May 7, 2022 winners. The Grand Prize Winner: Mark Antony Howard, 1st Runner Up: Kailena Mai and 2nd Runner Up: Michelle Ghatan. Performers have been invited to exclusive studio programs at Studio For Performing Arts LA with scholarship funding. Many have also already been offered meetings with top management companies as a result of participating in this diversity and scholarship program.
Studio For Performing Arts LA offers first-rate resources for actors to Elevate Your Craft & Career™ through classes, private consulting and special industry events. The studio’s unique programs help actors meet and learn from industry experts for ‘real world’ training and tangible business tools.
Walid Chaya mentors actors and draws from his years of experience in the LA, NY and DC production markets. Programs are available online and in Los Angeles and strive to support a diverse and inclusive film and television landscape with affordable and accessible events.
For more information, please visit studioforperformingarts.com and follow @walid.chaya and @studioforperformingarts on Instagram.
