Monologues Tips for Writing and Performing Drama 11/12

A monologue is an extended uninterrupted speech by a single person. A monologue is an extended uninterrupted speech by a single person. It is common in both drama and written fiction It is common in both drama and written fiction When the speech is directed to another person/people, it is called a monologue When the speech is directed to another person/people, it is called a monologue When the speech is directed to the person him/herself it is called a soliloquy When the speech is directed to the person him/herself it is called a soliloquy

Other types of monologues include Other types of monologues include Dramatic Monologues (usually poetry) Dramatic Monologues (usually poetry) Stand-up comedy (think Jay Leno at the beginning of the tonight show) Stand-up comedy (think Jay Leno at the beginning of the tonight show) Certain songs in musical theatre (when they reveal the characters thoughts) Certain songs in musical theatre (when 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 Monologue? stream of consciousness, timed writing stream of consciousness, timed writing write to a specific theme, i.e.; guilt, pride, obsession, fear, etc. write to a specific theme, i.e.; guilt, pride, obsession, fear, 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, God change your point of view - perspective of a dog, a bird, God imagine life through the eyes of a real person, in a fictional event imagine life through the eyes of a real person, in a fictional event a reporter on the scene a reporter on the scene turn at random to a page in the dictionary, point to a word and use it it as your first word in the monologue turn at random to a page in the dictionary, point to a word and use it it as your first word in the monologue write about a painful memory - these often have emotional triggers write about a painful memory - these often have emotional triggers

Tips for performing your monologue Analyze the character. Analyze the character. Think about the character: What is he/she like? Their background, fears, likes and dislikes. Name, age, home, culture. Think about the character: What is he/she like? Their background, fears, likes and dislikes. Name, age, home, culture. Analyze the scene: Analyze the scene: At what points does the emotion or tone change? Are they always talking to the same person/object. Make notes about this At what points does the emotion or tone change? Are they always talking to the same person/object. Make notes about this

Break the monologue into sections and work on transitioning between sections. Break the monologue into sections and work on transitioning between sections. Memorize your monologue. Practice it over and over again. Memorize your monologue. Practice it over and over again. Practice it for someone else. Make adjustments based on their feedback Practice it for someone else. Make adjustments based on their feedback Use a prop if appropriate but make sure it doesn’t take away from your speech Use a prop if appropriate but make sure it doesn’t take away from your speech

Project your voice in the space. Block out your audience, but make sure they can hear you. Project your voice in the space. Block out your audience, but make sure they can hear you. Act as if your surroundings are real and really there. Ex: if you are supposed to be watching someone, “track” them with your eyes, even if they are actually invisible. Act as if your surroundings are real and really there. Ex: if you are supposed to be watching someone, “track” them with your eyes, even if they are actually invisible. Move around as appropriate. Don’t just stand there in one spot. Move around as appropriate. Don’t just stand there in one spot.

If you forget a line, don’t let the audience know. Stay in character. Improvise If you forget a line, don’t let the audience know. Stay in character. Improvise Pause for a moment, in character, at the end of your performance, before becoming yourself again. Pause for a moment, in character, at the end of your performance, before becoming yourself again.