Theatre has long been a catalyst for social change—a powerful means of expression and connection. In today’s complex world, we face forces that both uplift and challenge us. Yet, Theatre and Performance—especially the spoken word—can offer a safe space for reflection, empowerment, and discovery. For many, the desire to be seen, heard, and understood is urgent. Theatre provides a stage—literally and figuratively—for that recognition.
This year’s Winter Challenge invites students to embrace that opportunity by writing a 3-minute Monologue inspired by the prompt: “I Refuse to Be Invisible.” (Note: Students are not required to use the exact phrase in their monologue.) This prompt encourages exploration of moments when they’ve stood up for themselves or others, claimed their identity, or shared a story that demands attention.
A Monologue is a dramatic speech delivered by one character to another or to an audience. It can be personal, fictional, poetic, or raw—but it must come from the heart.
Awards
Winning students will be notified by email and will have their written work and performance video published on the NEHS Museletter blog. All winning students will be candidates to receive Creative Challenge Champion prizes at the end of the year.
Eligibility
Applicants must be NEHS student members enrolled in a school with an active NEHS chapter.
Submission Requirements
- Student writers should craft a monologue of no more than 3-minutes in length in response to the prompt “I Refuse to Be Invisible.” Please note: it is not required for student members to include the phrase “I Refuse to Be Invisible” in their monologue.
- Students must then make a high-quality recording of themselves performing their monologue. The video must be filmed with a neutral background, and the student should dress in dark colors.
- The monologue must be memorized when performed and recorded.
Submission Process
- All submissions must be made via the NEHS AwardSpring platform during the Winter Awards Cycle.
- Student members must upload a Microsoft Word file (.doc/.docx) of the monologue written by the applicant.
- Student members must upload video of the poem being performed by the author (the sound quality must be high) in the AwardSpring platform in .MOV or .MP4 format. Any videos that cannot be immediately accessed by our evaluation team will be disqualified from the competition.
- Applicants must complete demographic data questions prior to submitting their documentation.
- All student writers must include a 150-word (max.) third-person biography and high-resolution portrait photo.
- Applicants must agree that they are willing to provide a written report and photos detailing the impact the creative process and award has had on them, which can be used by NEHS to promote this and other opportunities in future years should they win an award.
Evaluation Process
All submissions will be evaluated by at least three members of the NEHS evaluation team.
The written part of the submission will be evaluated against a rubric containing (but not limited to) the following categories
- Purpose
- Unique point of view
- Formatting
- Variety of speaking techniques
- Script-writing techniques
The audio-visual part of the submission will be evaluated against a rubric containing (but not limited to) the following categories
- Purpose/Connection
- Use of monologue performance conventions
- Theatrical forms used
- Acting and vocal techniques included
- Originality
Notes and Guidance on Creating and Performing a Monologue
- Action is core to any dramatic work. The character should be doing something through their speech. If the character has a need or a goal it makes the writing dynamic.
- The Character should have a real need to pursue an objective through the monologue.
- Lively and well written monologues explore the unique rhythms and vocal patterns of a character.
- Monologues are responses to something that another character said or did. If you are having trouble getting started, give your character something big to react to.
- Look for opportunities, in the middle of the monologue to surprise yourself, your character and hopefully the audience.
- Ending a monologue is difficult. Unlike a play you need not wrap up all of the action at the end of the monologue. That said, there should be some sort of movement forward in the character’s journey.
