MonologuesMonologues

Tips for Writing and Tips for Writing and PerformingPerforming

Drama 11/12 Drama 11/12

A monologue is an extended A monologue is an extended uninterrupted speech by a single person.uninterrupted speech by a single person.

It is common in both drama and written It is common in both drama and written fiction fiction

When the speech is directed to another When the speech is directed to another person/people, it is called a monologueperson/people, it is called a monologue

When the speech is directed to the When the speech is directed to the person him/herself it is called a soliloquyperson him/herself it is called a soliloquy

Other types of monologues includeOther types of monologues includeDramatic Monologues (usually poetry)Dramatic Monologues (usually poetry)Stand-up comedy (think Jay Leno at the Stand-up comedy (think Jay Leno at the

beginning of the tonight show)beginning of the tonight show)Certain songs in musical theatre (when Certain songs in musical theatre (when

they reveal the characters thoughts)they reveal the characters thoughts)Villain Speeches (think Joker, Grinch)Villain Speeches (think Joker, Grinch)Rants (a la Rick Mercer)Rants (a la Rick Mercer)

Need Inspiration for your Need Inspiration for your Monologue?Monologue?

stream of consciousness, timed writing stream of consciousness, timed writing write to a specific theme, i.e.; guilt, pride, obsession, fear, write to a specific theme, i.e.; guilt, pride, obsession, fear,

etc. etc. think of a specific location, or time period think of a specific location, or time period write to music write to music write without editing yourself - first thoughts write without editing yourself - first thoughts change your point of view - perspective of a dog, a bird, change your point of view - perspective of a dog, a bird,

God God imagine life through the eyes of a real person, in a fictional imagine life through the eyes of a real person, in a fictional

event event a reporter on the scene a reporter on the scene turn at random to a page in the dictionary, point to a word turn at random to a page in the dictionary, point to a word

and use it it as your first word in the monologue and use it it as your first word in the monologue write about a painful memory - these often have emotional write about a painful memory - these often have emotional

triggerstriggers

Tips for performing your Tips for performing your monologuemonologue

Analyze the character. Analyze the character. Think about the character: What is he/she Think about the character: What is he/she

like? Their background, fears, likes and like? Their background, fears, likes and dislikes. Name, age, home, culture.dislikes. Name, age, home, culture.

Analyze the scene: Analyze the scene: At what points does the emotion or tone At what points does the emotion or tone

change? Are they always talking to the change? Are they always talking to the same person/object. Make notes about same person/object. Make notes about thisthis

Break the monologue into sections and Break the monologue into sections and work on transitioning between sections.work on transitioning between sections.

Memorize your monologue. Practice it Memorize your monologue. Practice it over and over again.over and over again.

Practice it for someone else. Make Practice it for someone else. Make adjustments based on their feedbackadjustments based on their feedback

Use a prop if appropriate but make sure Use a prop if appropriate but make sure it doesn’t take away from your speechit doesn’t take away from your speech

Project your voice in the space. Block Project your voice in the space. Block out your audience, but make sure out your audience, but make sure they can hear you.they can hear you.

Act as if your surroundings are real Act as if your surroundings are real and really there. Ex: if you are and really there. Ex: if you are supposed to be watching someone, supposed to be watching someone, “track” them with your eyes, even if “track” them with your eyes, even if they are actually invisible. they are actually invisible.

Move around as appropriate. Don’t Move around as appropriate. Don’t just stand there in one spot. just stand there in one spot.

If you forget a line, don’t let the If you forget a line, don’t let the audience know. Stay in character. audience know. Stay in character. ImproviseImprovise

Pause for a moment, in character, at Pause for a moment, in character, at the end of your performance, before the end of your performance, before becoming yourself again.becoming yourself again.