1. Monologues
Tips for Performing

2. A monologue is an extended uninterrupted speech by a single person.
It is common in both Theatre and Literature.
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

3. Other types of monologues include
Dramatic Monologues
Stand-up comedy (think Jay Leno at the beginning of the tonight show)
Certain songs in musical theatre (when they reveal the characters thoughts)
Villain Speeches (think Joker, Grinch)
Rants (a la Rick Mercer)

4. Need Inspiration for your Monologue?
think of a specific location, or time period
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

6. Tips for performing your monologue
Analyze the character.
Think about the character: What is he/she like? Their background, fears, likes and dislikes. Name, age, home, culture.
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

7. Break the monologue into sections and work on transitioning between sections.
Memorize your monologue. Practice it over and over again.
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

8. Project your voice in the space
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.
Move around as appropriate. Don’t just stand there in one spot.

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

10. Finding and Researching Monologues
Open Google
Click “More” & then Chick “Books”
Type “His & hers: 150 original audition monologues” or other titles
Click it and read, read, read
Click “tools” click “Full Screen”
Use “Zoom Out” or fit the page on the screen

11. Press “PrtScn” button on the keyboard
Open Microsoft Paint
Click “edit” click “Paste”
Select the part you need and cut and paste into any word processor program