Crowded Fire’s Solo Performance Intensive exists to the growth of local theater-makers by providing a constructive path for actors and creators to generate and perform their own original stories.

Crowded Fire is pleased to announce it will offer its Solo Performance Intensive for the fifth year this summer. Solo Work empowers each of us to be Actor/Creators in the service of a story only we can tell.

About the Solo Performance Intensive

Leading the intensive, Dawn Monique Williams and M. Graham Smith will guide the process of creating an original monologue, provide tools and structures for generation, and constructive direction for development. Each participant will finish the intensive with a a 3-5 minute first draft of a solo work. The Solo Performance Intensive will take place in-person at CFT’s office and rehearsal space in Potrero Hill. Participants must be available to attend all sessions in-person.

Dates and Location

Solo Performance Intensive Dates:

• Monday, 7/27/26 from 6-10pm
• Friday, 7/31/26 from 6-10pm
• Friday, 8/07/26 from 6-10pm
• Note: You must be available in-person for all dates, as we are unable to accommodate conflicts or virtual attendance.

Location: CFT Annex, Potrero Hill, San Francisco

Cost

Our Intensives are Pay What You Will with a $0 minimum. Your selection is based entirely on your application: dollar amounts are never considered and do not affect your chances. Accepted participants will receive a link to register and name their price ($0+). All funds support the sustainability of our programming.

Application Details

Applications for the Audition Intensive open on June 5, 2026.

• Application Link: [Coming Soon – June 5th]
• Application Deadline: Friday, July 3rd, 2026, 11:59 PM PST
• Notification of Acceptance: Wednesday, July 15, 2026
• Registration Confirmation Deadline: Friday, July 17th, 2026

We look forward to receiving your applications!

If you are an actor looking to polish your materials, and master a simulated audition room with casting directors, check out our Audition Intensive Page. You are welcome to apply for both Intensives!

Dawn Monique Williams (she/her), an Oakland, CA native, served four years as Associate Artistic Director at Aurora Theatre Company.

She was the Artistic Associate and a resident artist at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival for six seasons before that. Williams is a nationally celebrated director who has worked in theatres across the U.S., including The Kennedy Center, Orlando Shakespeare, American Shakespeare Center, Cal Shakes, Profile Theatre (Portland), Third Rail Rep, American Conservatory Theatre, Chautauqua Theatre Company, Marin Theatre Company, Elm Shakespeare, New Jersey Rep, and African American Shakespeare Company. She holds an MA in Dramatic Literature, an MFA in Directing, and advanced certificates in Film Studies and Screenwriting. Her first book of poetry, Clothed in My Right Mind, was published earlier this year. She serves on the Board of Directors for Theatre Bay Area and the Playwrights’ Foundation and sits on the Drama League National Directors Council. Dawn is a proud member of SDC (Stage Directors and Choreographers Society).

Website: https://www.DawnMoniqueWilliams.com/ | Blog: https://shakespearecritic.wordpress.com/

M. Graham Smith (he/him) is a San Francisco-based Director, Educator and Producer. He is an O’Neill/NNPN National Directing Fellow, an Oregon Shakespeare Festival FAIR Fellow and a proud Resident Artist at SF’s Crowded Fire. He grew up outside of New York City and has been based in San Francisco for the last fourteen years. He’s directed in New York City, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Portland Oregon, Washington DC, and venues in San Francisco. He directed the West Coast Premiere of JERRY SPRINGER: THE OPERA in SF and TRUFFALDINO SAYS NO at Shotgun Players, winning Best Director for the Bay Area Critics Circle. Recent credits include the World Premiere of Obie winner Christopher Chen’s HOME INVASION in SF, DEAL WITH THE DRAGON at ACT’s Costume Shop & Edinburgh Fringe, Mia Chung’s YOU FOR ME FOR YOU at Crowded Fire, and James Ijames’ WHITE at Shotgun. He spent five years as Producer of Aurora Theater’s new play development program and festival The Global Age Project, which launched Martyna Majok’s IRONBOUND, JC Lee’s LUCE, and Allison Moore’s COLLAPSE, among many others. He teaches at A.C.T.’s actor-training programs, Berkeley Rep School of Theatre and at Barcelona’s premiere Meisner Technique program in Spain. You can visit him online at https://www.MGrahamSmith.com/

We at Crowded Fire recognize it is essential to cultivate a thriving theater ecosystem by investing in and uplifting theatre-makers of all kinds, at all points in their careers. CFT is honored to offer programming to support the sustainability and growth of individual artists and future leaders.