Choosing a Monologue

A Monologue is typically a speech given by a character in a film or stage production.  You can also find a wide range of monologues written as standalone pieces.  They are often an opportunity for a character to express their inner thoughts but they can also take the form of a long speech by one character revealing information to other characters within a story.

Here are some things to consider when choosing your monologue

• If the monologue or speech is from a play, does it work as a standalone piece
• What is the genre of the piece – when in time is the character speaking and can you convey that
• What is the language of the play – if slang or dialect is used, can you deliver it
• Do you need to have an accent other than your own
• Who is the audience for the performance and is the piece appropriate for them
• Are you and the character a good fit in terms of age and ethnicity
• Will the audience ‘buy’ it?

Sometimes you need to read a lot of monologues to find that one that you connect with and want to delve into.  Trust your instincts and challenge yourself within the realms of probability.