What a way to close the Summit! The 2026 Legacy Rising Monologue Competition Finals brought our community together for an evening of extraordinary talent, heartfelt celebration, and so much pride. All eight finalists delivered their monologues with remarkable skill, confidence, and care. Seeing their months of preparation come to life onstage was a joy, and each student gave us something to remember.
Congratulations to our first-place winner, Zara Di Lao; second-place winner, Nehanda Gaines; and third-place winner, Lua Manhanga! We are incredibly proud of every finalist for the commitment they brought to this journey and the ways they grew as artists and supported one another along the way.
The evening opened with a beautiful rendition of “Stand Up” by Jessica Lá Rel and the Tony Jones Gospel Choir, setting the tone for a celebration filled with heart. Our deepest thanks to our judges, Tracie Thoms, Matthew Law, and Barry Shabaka Henley, for their thoughtful attention and encouragement, and to our amazing host, Ryan Michelle Bathé, for guiding the evening with warmth and joy.
We’re grateful to our partner, Ebony Repertory Theatre, and to the families, teachers, teaching artists, and friends who helped our students reach this moment. Next stop for our top two finalists: New York City and a Broadway show! It’s a wonderful way to celebrate their accomplishments and continue introducing them to the possibilities of a life in the arts. What an incredible year for Legacy Rising!