OFFICIAL SYNOPSIS OF RAMON SHILOH'S "Alphabet Monologues" PERFORMANCE COMING SOON!

 

THE ALPHABET MONOLOGUES" FEATURING MUSICAL GUEST: "WORD PROBLEM"

“Good morning, class! Sit your asses down, open your books, and prepare for a transformative journey back to basics! Only this time, with adult risks at stake!”

"The Alphabet Monologues," directed, written, produced, and performed by Ramon Shiloh, isn’t just a lesson in letters. It’s a journey through today’s most pressing issues, using the building blocks of language to expose hard truths. Shiloh has captivated audiences at venues like "The Langston Hughes Performing Arts Institute", "Annex Theater in Seattle", and "Chehalem Players Repertory" in Oregon, with his bold approach to reimagining our familiar alphabet.

With powerful musical accompaniment by guest artist "Word Problem", Shiloh transforms each of the 26 letters into a portal to the challenges and choices that define our times. What starts as a nostalgic return to the ABCs quickly becomes a survival guide, with each letter unveiling a story or poem, illustrated with vivid art, that dives into topics like environmental crises, racial divides, and the existential risks we face.

Through art, spoken word, and live music, Shiloh invites us to listen, absorb, and reflect. As each letter peels back a new layer of meaning, we’re called to confront the state of the world and our role within it.

In this classroom of rediscovery, the show taps into a childlike curiosity only to reveal the gravity of our adult responsibilities. Imagine hearing that future generations might one day say, “Thank you for not being the douchebags you were in 2025.” This show aims to make that sentiment a reality, challenging viewers to rekindle compassion, question biases, and work toward a better tomorrow.

More than a performance, The Alphabet Monologues is a call to action. Shiloh’s vision returns to the basics to inspire critical thinking and foster meaningful change. With every letter, he reveals what it means to wield language as a tool for repair, empathy, and hope. This journey is designed to leave each viewer with a “Certificate of Appreciation,” a symbolic testament to the fresh perspectives gained.

In The Alphabet Monologues, Shiloh’s letters are lessons, his words are warnings, and his art is an invitation to grow. Through nostalgia, necessity, creativity, and critique, The Alphabet Monologues guides you from learning to action. Prepare to be schooled in the most unforgettable way.

ARTIST STATEMENT:

Since my accident on November 11, 2021, which resulted in a fractured skull, I’ve been navigating challenges like dizzy spells, anxiety, insomnia, mild depression, and memory loss. For those who know me, storytelling has always been my foundation, carrying me through various Native communities across the country and shaping the narratives I felt driven to share.

After the accident, I returned to my roots in food as a private chef, but the stress and intensity of commercial kitchens was toxic for my brain health, risking further injury. So, I made the decision to step away from those environments.

Today, I am a full-time artist, seeking ways to support myself and create stability. I see this one-man show as a form of art therapy which is a mental exercise to help me strengthen my mind and counter the effects of my injury. This project is a chance to understand my own journey and explore how creativity can aid the healing process.

I owe deep gratitude to Donna Gentry Birnbach of Chehalem Players Repertory, who introduced a structured approach to my show that I hadn’t previously considered. Before meeting her, my one-man show had a more improvisational structure that I loved, but now I see how a defined format can elevate the message and bring clarity to the complex themes I need to convey. With each page I’ve created, I feel this show offers something truly impactful both for myself, and for my audience.

Looking forward to the possibility of collaborating with my good friends David Levin and Bob Lovelace again, if the time calls for another jam session with yours truly.

As I navigate theaters in the Pacific Northwest, rest assured that "The Alphabet Monologues" will be performing in a neighborhood near you in 2025. I'll keep you updated in the coming months. Thank you and be well everyone.

Art Medium: Prismacolor Premier Colored Pencils and Sumi Ink

Show Details: 18 and Over

©Ramon Shiloh 2024-2025

Guidance through an Illustrative Alphabet (Letter X)

We are all sensitive people, regardless of our resilience. Words hold immense power, and can cripple, uplift, deepen understanding, or provoke emotions strong enough to alter the course of someone’s life. Throughout history, words have been used to incite division or unify cultures, shaping agendas that either consolidate power or foster healing. The power of words is profound.  When used thoughtfully, they can bridge generations, preserving values and perspectives that future generations may carry forward in ways uniquely their own.

As a writer, storyteller, and creative, I have written countless essays and reflections where words form intricate webs, capturing my thoughts with clarity and intention. It is my responsibility to express myself in ways that cultivate a healthy connection with the reader. I also feel called to encourage, provoke thought, and offer a touch of wisdom born from my experiences. At times, I fall under the spell of my words, expressing things that feel urgent without fully considering their impact. As I learn and grow, I try to revise and adapt, understanding that words have weight, especially in the world we live in today.

I am a quiet, compassionate, empathetic person who prefers a low profile. My writing often explores human behavior in ways I hope may help others. Yet, I acknowledge that my words haven’t always landed without conflict. I’ve made mistakes. Recently had a moment when something I said or wrote led to misunderstandings, strained friendships, or distanced family relationships. I am accountable for my words, even when they arise from humor that didn’t translate as I intended. What I am not, however, is someone who wields-words to gain power over others.

The essays I write act as time capsules of my experiences and observations in this lifetime, reminding us that we are all cut from the same cloth, woven by the Great Spirit. As we move forward, we are entering a time where words will either separate us from the beauty, complexity, and rawness of life, or serve as the bridge that connects all perspectives, beliefs, and strengths. My hope is that our words become this connective tissue, and that someday, we can look back and say with pride, I was part of building that future.