virtual slam overview
DATES & TIMES
Our next Virtual Slam will be held via Zoom November 16 - 24, 2020. Each session starts at 5:00pm EST.
November 16 - 18 Elimination Round. Performers will be given a day and time within these dates to showcase their best audition. You will be one of a group of performers auditioning that day, so allow 60-90 minutes following your call time for introductions, instructions, rules, and others to perform.
November 23 Semi-Final Round. The top 20 performers from the Elimination Round will have the opportunity to move on to this round.
November 24 Final Round & Awards. Finalists will compete against the best of the best for some fabulous prizes.
COMPETITION DETAILS
Comedic Monologue: 60 second time limit from any source including theatre, film, TV, or original.
Dramatic Monologue: 60 second time limit from any source including theatre, film, TV, or original.
Musical Song: 90 second time limit from any published musical. Songs can be performed acapella, or with recorded or live musical accompaniment provided by the participant. Vocal enhancement and/or augmentation (Auto-Tune, etc.) is strictly prohibited.
Multiple Entries: Subject to space availability, individuals may perform multiple monologues or songs in the Competition.
PRICES
Prices are subject to change without notice and all entries are subject to availability. The November 2020 Online Competition pricing structure is as follows:
Competition Pass $45 each.
Additional Competition Entries $35 each, and must accompany purchase of a Competition Pass. You just need to fill out the registration form again with the details of your additional entry.
Observer Pass $20 each. Not quite ready to perform yet? Check out what the Slam is like, while learning valuable audition lessons from the pros and your peers. Please contact jeff@nationalslam.com for details.
Individual Prep Class $15 per 15 minutes. Please contact philip@nationalslam.com for details.
GROUP & INDIVIDUAL PREP CLASSES
GROUP PREP CLASS One Group Prep Class is included in the price of a Competition Pass. The goal of the Group Prep Class is to provide helpful guidance, feedback, and answers to our participants in advance of the competition. One or more National Monologue Slam staff members will moderate this class.
INDIVIDUAL PREP CLASS Private, one-on-one, online coaching sessions are available by request for an additional fee, subject to time availability, on a first-come, first-served basis. Please email philip@nationalslam.com for more information.
SCORING
Scoring will be judged based on several factors and are subject to change. Sample criteria may include:
Character Development: Understanding of the Piece, Emotional Tone, Portrayal of Character, Believability
Vocal Work: Dialect, Enunciation/Articulation (comedic & dramatic only), Projection, Pitch (musical only), Musicality (musical only)
Overall Presentation: Degree of Difficulty, Highlighted a Range of Talent (comedic & dramatic only), Confidence, Clarity, Physical Expression
Overall Effect: Captures Attention, Engaging
Technical Elements: Sound Quality, Lighting Quality, Setting, Video Quality, Framing
JUDGES
Judges are subject to change without notice, and will always consist of no less than three (3) industry professionals in varying fields, including but not limited to directors, casting directors, musical directors, talent agents, producers, and working professional actors. Each competition participant will receive a written critique from each judge in the form of a score card, plus personalized notes that may include constructive and positive feedback. The November 2020 Slam will feature these 3 judges:
Jeffrey Dreisbach - Casting Partner at McCorkle Casting
U-Shin Kim - Agent/Founder of UGA Talent Agency
Jeff Chrzczon - Broadway & Live Entertainment Producer
GIFTS & AWARDS
Every Participant will receive valuable gifts, just for joining! The November 2020 Virtual Gift Bag includes:
- A 10-session voice over pack from YourVOStudio.com. (a $250 value!)
- Exclusive access to casting director (McCorkle Casting Ltd.) and podcast host (Casting Actors Cast) Jeffrey Dreisbach's unpublished video/podcast entitled "Casting Secrets, What They Don't Tell You". A 20 minute revealing look into the process of casting. (priceless!)
- An exclusive video from top entertainment attorney Erach Screwvala entitled "3 Clauses to Read Carefully in Your Next Agent/Manager Contract". (a $150 value!)
- An exclusive video from elite headshot photographer Tim Goodwin entitled "Priceless Starter Tips from a Headshot Photographer". (priceless!)
In addition, Awards will be given to the top performers in each category and division, subject to a minimum number of entries to be determined. Winners will receive one choice of the following:
- One private 30-minute Zoom consultation with casting director Jeffrey Driesbach of McCorkle Casting. (priceless!)
- One free season of Audition Arts! This includes 3 audition technique classes and one lab and one-on-one time with agent U-Shin Kim. (a $250 value!)
- One free headshot session with Tim Goodwin Photography (a $150 value!)
- One private 30-minute Zoom consultation with entertainment attorney and estate planning expert Erach Screwvala on any topic. (a $250 value!)
COMPLETE RULES & REGULATIONS
Please click below to read the complete list of Rules & Regulations.
our history
Past Slams
The National Monologue Slam started in 2003 as the Manhattan Monologue Slam, a monthly, live, in-person event that attracted dozens of entertainment gurus and celebrities, as well as thousands of adoring fans and participants. In 2015, we evolved into the National Monologue Slam, holding day-long local and regional events, offering a more comprehensive educational experience. Now, in 2020, we are going virtual with an entirely digital competition!
Past Performers
From Illeana Douglas to Barry “Shabaka” Henley to Roger Guenveur Smith to Jay O. Sanders to Erica Ash to Quinton Aaron to the Haussmann twins, The Slam has been host to some of the world's best talent!
Past Judges
Here are just a few of our A-list judges from Slams past:
- James Gunn (Producer, Screenwriter, “Guardians of the Galaxy” franchise, “Suicide Squad”)
- Susan Batson (Acting Coach, Nicole Kidman, Denzel Washington, Oprah Winfrey, Founder of Susan Batson Studios)
- Michael K. Williams (Actor, “The Wire”, “Boardwalk Empire”, “12 Years A Slave")
- Noah Emmerich (Actor, “Space Force”, “The Americans”, "Truman Show”, “Miracle”)
- Jeffrey Driesbach (Casting Director, McCorkle Casting)
- Sarah Silverman (Actor “I Love You America”, “The Simpsons”, "The Sarah Silverman Program”, “School of Rock”)
- James Foley (Director, “Billions”, “House of Cards”, “Glengarry Glen Ross”)
- Tariq Trotter (Emcee/Producer, "The Roots”, “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon")
- Jeffrey Richards (Broadway Producer, “Spring Awakening”, "August:Osage County", "All the Way")
- Evan Hainey (Manager, Rosario Dawson, Vanessa Hudgens, Megan Good, Untitled Entertainment)
- Jenna Fischer (Actor, “The Office”, “The Mysteries of Laura”, “Splitting Up Together”)
our partners
Audition Arts
Audition Arts is an intensive program that equips trained actors with the tools to create and master an individualized audition process. It gives students the freedom to live truthfully under imaginary circumstances in the audition room in order to create successful auditions.
The class is taught by U-Shin Kim, the head agent of UGA Talent who represents clients both theatrically and for commercial/print. Over time he has developed methods and techniques to help his clients increase their booking rate and has developed the structure of this class to standardize the curriculum of Audition Arts.
Your VO Studio
We are Your VO Studio! We help Voice Over Artists establish their place in the industry! Coaching all levels of Voice Over Artists is what we know, do, and love. There is always something new that can be discovered by working with our professional working voice over actors/coaches. We are committed to discovering the creativity artists possess and bringing them to new heights in the industry. www.yourvostudio.com
Tim Goodwin Photography
Tim Goodwin Photography provides elite headshot photography, as well as a host of other stunning photo and video services.