Actors, filmmakers, singers, writers, and entertainment professionals gathered in Downtown Los Angeles on May 10, 2026, for the 4th Annual LA Monologue & Song SLAM and LA Creatives Networking Mixer, a recurring Hollywood networking event that combines live performances, industry connection, and creative community building into one collaborative evening experience.

Presented through the Studio For Performing Arts Foundation in partnership with Studio For Performing Arts LA, the event welcomed both performers and non-performing creatives looking to network, discover talent, enjoy live entertainment, and connect with others in the Los Angeles arts and entertainment community.

Unlike traditional showcases that focus strictly on competition, the evening blended a live performance event with a social industry mixer atmosphere, allowing guests to naturally move between networking conversations, performances, audience interaction, and creative collaboration throughout the night. The format created an energetic environment where actors, filmmakers, musicians, and creatives could meet organically while supporting emerging talent on stage.

Directed by Walid Chaya, the annual SLAM continues evolving as both a performance platform and a seasonal Los Angeles creatives mixer designed to encourage accessibility, networking, and artistic collaboration within Hollywood’s entertainment industry.

“The goal was to create something more interactive and community-driven than a typical showcase,” said Chaya. “A lot of people come simply to network, meet collaborators, enjoy the performances, and be part of the creative energy in the room. Combining the mixer and the SLAM helped create an experience where everyone felt included — whether they were performing or attending.”

This year’s judging panel featured Casting Director and Filmmaker M’saada Nia, known for projects connected to A Wrinkle in Time, Selma, and Grown-ish, alongside entertainment manager and producer Marilyn Atlas, whose work spans film, television and theatre representation.

Throughout the evening, performers presented one-minute monologues and vocal performances to an enthusiastic crowd while audience members participated in raffles, giveaways, and networking opportunities.

All official SLAM participants received scholarships toward future acting classes and professional development programs through Studio For Performing Arts LA, while mixer attendees also won gift certificates and raffle prizes throughout the event.

Official winners of the 2026 LA Monologue & Song SLAM included:

• Winner: Michael Budd
• 1st Runner-Up: Kacy Cross (aka ‘Gemi Kay’)
• 2nd Runner-Up: Amita Batra

Featured performers included:

>Ahmad Zalan
>Alaina Rieger
>Anna Colette Bores
>David Perry
>Desiree Roy
>Geoffrey Altrocchi
>Hulbert Dang
>Matt Marsh
>Matthew Robinson
>Nelson Delapalme
>Joey Gholam
>Nicole Pano

Special thanks were also extended to Anthony Mongiello Photography for hosting the event and supporting the local creative community. Anthony Mongiello Photography specializes in professional actor headshots, branding photography, entertainment portraits, and promotional imagery for performers and artists throughout Los Angeles.

Now in its fourth year, the LA Monologue & Song SLAM continues growing as a performance and community platform for emerging artists, while the ongoing LA Creatives Mixer series remains a staple Los Angeles entertainment networking event bringing together actors, filmmakers, musicians, writers, and creatives for collaboration, live entertainment, and industry connection across film, television, theatre, music, and digital media.

For more information about future LA Creatives Mixer events, acting classes in Los Angeles, industry networking opportunities, scholarships, actor resources, and live entertainment events, visit Studio For Performing Arts LA.