Century Cycle ContinuesEnter
Danielle Brooks on the Governor's School stage, seated in a pool of light, mid-sentence.

Danielle Brooks Presents: Century Cycle Continues

High school monologue competition for South Carolina high schoolers: upload a one to two minute monologue written by a Black playwright for a chance to win $5,000.

Video due

Enter

Danielle Brooks

Academy Award nominee. 2007 graduate of the Governor's School drama department.

Danielle Brooks on stage, talking with her hands.

“I didn't even know what a monologue was when I auditioned for the Governor's School, but look how far I've come. I want these kids to know your dreams are valid and can come true.”

Danielle Brooks

How it works

Three steps

  1. Pick a play.

    The words have to come from a Black playwright. Start with the list below.

  2. Record one to two minutes.

    A phone is fine. No profanity. Upload it by December 15.

  3. Ten of you perform live in Greenville.

    On the Governor's School stage, February 27. Danielle hosts.

First Year Recap

February 28, 2026, at the Governor's School in Greenville.

Plays when you tap it, with sound. It never autoplays.Video credit to confirm

2026 Finalists

Finalists performed live on February 28, 2026, at the Governor's School in Greenville.

  • Ava Weber with Danielle Brooks on the night of the final.
    First place

    Ava Weber

    Fine Arts Center

    Full bio

    Ava is a junior at the Fine Arts Center. When not acting, you may find her at church, playing her ukulele, or curled up reading a good book. She would like to thank her family and Jesus for always supporting her dreams, and Danielle Brooks for this incredible opportunity!

  • Alena Craig with Danielle Brooks on the night of the final.
    Second place

    Alena Craig

    Easley High School

    Full bio

    Alena Craig is a 17-year-old junior at Easley High School. Outside of school she participates in choir and community theater. Some of her previous work has been Beetlejuice Jr. and Alice: An Adventure in Wonderland. Alena would like to thank her family and friends who have supported her no matter what!

  • Jarius Wright with Danielle Brooks on the night of the final.
    Third place

    Jarius Wright

    Hillcrest High School

    Full bio

    Jarius Wright is a senior at Hillcrest High School and an aspiring actor born and raised in South Carolina. “Acting is more than just reading lines or getting money and fame. It's the way that I want to bring joy to people's lives!”

  • Teagan Johnson with Danielle Brooks on the night of the final.
    2026 Annie Edge Scholarship

    Teagan Johnson

    SC Governor's School · from North Augusta

    Full bio

    Teagan Yara Johnson is from North Augusta. She has been active in dance, theatre, and singing since she was 3 years old. She would like to thank her family, the SCGSAH drama department, and most importantly God for always encouraging her on her theatre journey.

See all the finalists
  1. Bryce BeasleyCharleston County School of the Arts
  2. Sadie BridgesSC Governor's School
  3. Ella BurnsSC Governor's School
  4. Alena CraigEasley High School
  5. Corian DawsonSouth Pointe High School
  6. Madie GroveFine Arts Center
  7. Teagan JohnsonSC Governor's School
  8. Noah LavigneSumter High School
  9. Amari LeonardSouthside High School
  10. Jordyn OsbourneDreher High School
  11. Jayden SamuelsIrmo High School
  12. Justyce SwatzwellSC Governor's School
  13. Ava WeberFine Arts Center
  14. Jarius WrightHillcrest High School

Videos due January 3, 2026. Finalists named February 3. Live final February 28, 2026, at 15 University Street, Greenville.

Last year's judges

The 2026 panel

Three actors judged the first final, live at the Governor's School in Greenville.

The judges, Danielle Brooks and the 2026 winners on stage, holding their checks.
Final night, February 28, 2026: the judges, Danielle and the 2026 winners.

This year's judges are named in January.

Rules & prizes

Who, what, when, where.

Danielle Brooks presents · In honor of Annie Edge

Century Cycle Continues

2027 rules

Who
South Carolina high school students. Governor's School students enter too: one form, one checkbox.
Perform
One to two minutes from a play by a prominent Black playwright. Age-appropriate. No profanity or derogatory language.
Prizes
$5,000First$2,500Second$1,000Third
Dates

Video due

Finalists named

Live final

Where
SC Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities
15 University Street, Greenville, SC 29601
Judges
Three to five working artists. No Governor's School faculty. Danielle hosts.

What's a monologue?

One character speaking for an extended time. A solo speech, not a conversation.

Tips for choosing a monologue

Suggested playwrights

Start with the list.

In honor of Annie Edge

Who was Annie Edge?

Danielle's godmother

Annie Edge believed in Danielle's dreams as if they were her own. She died before she could see Danielle graduate from the Governor's School, and the $20,000 she left behind carried Danielle to Juilliard.

Century Cycle Continues is in her honor.

One form for everyone

Enter

South Carolina high school students.

About you

Governor's School students use this same form. Just check the box.

A parent or guardian
Your monologue
Your video

Your video stays private. It's never posted without a release.

A message from Danielle

Creating The Century Cycle Continues Monologue Competition with SCGSAH is a profound full-circle moment driven by gratitude.

My success, from the foundation built at the Governor's School to my acceptance at Juilliard, was secured by a $20,000 legacy from my late godmother, Annie Edge, who believed in my dreams as if they were her own. This competition is my way of honoring her belief and giving back to the place that shaped me.

My greatest desire is to ignite the fire in the next generation of artists and show them that achieving high levels of success is not just a dream, but can be their tangible reality on the very stage where my own journey began.

Danielle Brooks at the Governor's School entrance.

— Danielle Brooks

Photo: Foster Lew

Judges

This year's judges

Three to five working artists, named in January. None of them teach at the Governor's School.

  • To be announced
  • To be announced
  • To be announced

Presented by

Danielle Brooks

SC Governor's School for the Arts and HumanitiesBlack Women on Broadway

With the SC Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities · supported by Black Women on Broadway

For press

Century Cycle Continues is an annual monologue competition for South Carolina high school students, created and hosted by Academy Award nominee Danielle Brooks, a 2007 graduate of the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities. Presented in the spirit of August Wilson's ten-play Century Cycle and in honor of Annie Edge, it asks students to perform one to two minutes from a play by a Black playwright. Ten finalists perform live at the Governor's School in Greenville. Supported by Black Women on Broadway.

“The stories of Black playwrights have shaped theatre in profound ways, and I want to ensure South Carolina students feel that legacy and continue the narrative.”Danielle Brooks, October 2025
Danielle Brooks on stage.The 2026 winners and judges with Danielle Brooks.Danielle Brooks at the Governor's School entrance.