Mercer Island sophomore Josiah Townsend competed in the national August Wilson Monologue Competition at the prestigious August Wilson Theatre on Broadway May 6 in New York. The event featured high school students from Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Pittsburgh and Seattle performing monologues by the late, legendary American playwright.

The theatre in New York is less than a mile away from where Townsend hopes to attend college, at Juilliard. “I was so fascinated in August Wilson’s background. I connect with his work because every character he introduces in his plays reminds me of a real character I have met in my life,” said Townsend.

The actor Denzel Washington was in the audience for the competition and made a point of introducing himself to Townsend shortly after monologues concluded.

In February, three MIHS students competed with about 60 others from the Puget Sound in the regional competition at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. The top three from each region were invited to compete in New York. “I am proud to say I am an Islander and that the community supports me with love and encouragement,” said Townsend.

Townsend added that not making the top ten when he competed last year fueled him to come back with greater determination this year.

Wilson was a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright who wrote a series of plays, chronicling more than 100 years of the African-American experience. In 1990, he moved to Seattle where he lived until his death in 2005.

“This was a wonderful accomplishment for Josiah and a celebration of the work of August Wilson,” said Mercer Island School District Superintendent Dr. Gary Plano. “We’re proud of his work and look forward to more accomplishments in the near future from this talented young man.”