West Mifflin sophomore Dayton Jackson earned a rare double victory, tying for first place in two prestigious monologue competitions at the Manchester Craftsmen’s Guild in Pittsburgh. Dayton delivered performances that impressed both judges and audience.
In the August Wilson New Voices competition, Dayton brought Memphis from Wilson’s Two Trains Running to life with a powerful monologue. Then, in the Next Narrative Monologue Competition, he showed his range with Black History (It’s Yours), a dynamic spoken-word piece by Idris Goodwin that fused rhythm, history, and pride.
New to acting and initially unsure about entering, Dayton quickly found his footing on stage. Judged across five categories—vocal skill, emotional depth, focus, physicality, and understanding—his performances stood out for both their technical strength and emotional authenticity.
His win earned him both prize money and a coveted spot in the national Next Narrative finals at Harlem’s historic Apollo Theater. In a surprise announcement, all nine competitors will now travel to New York, a reward for weeks of commitment, rehearsal, and shared growth. Among those competitors is fellow West Mifflin student, Ashlyn Fair.
It started as a quiet push to give something new a shot ended as a show-stopping finish, Dayton proved he’s just getting started.
The August Wilson New Voices Competition (AWNV) is a citywide program honoring Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright August Wilson. Open to all Pittsburgh high school students, it invites participants to perform a 2–3 minute monologue from Wilson’s Century Cycle or present a visual design inspired by his work. Regional finalists earn cash prizes and may qualify for a four-year scholarship to Point Park University’s theater program.
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