A monologue is a solo performance (like a speech) given on stage. Unlike a speech, it is not simply recited but acted out. It will be important to think about how to add deliberate movement and deliberate voice to your monologue performance.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5WIiFWTBsK4
Here is one that is not directed toward a speaker. It doesn't tell a single story but is more of an exploration of a theme or an aspect of her personality:
Here is one that is not directed toward a speaker. It doesn't tell a single story but is more of an exploration of a theme or an aspect of her personality:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFU3ac9fysk
And one final one tells a story and incorporates a little movement (because you don't have to just stand there when delivering a monologue -- remember that it is still acting although it feels like a speech:
And one final one tells a story and incorporates a little movement (because you don't have to just stand there when delivering a monologue -- remember that it is still acting although it feels like a speech:
In her book, Respect for Acting, Hagen outlines 9 Questions Actors Need to Ask Themselves when preparing for a role. Many actors use this technique and it supplements the work from our textbook.
1. Who Am I?
Who is your character? Identify all the details: name, age, physical traits, education, personal opinions, likes, dislikes, fears, ethics, beliefs, etc.
2. What time is it?
The year, the season, the day, the minute. What is the significance of that time?
3. Where am I?
Identify the country, the city or town, the neighborhood, building, room, or where in that room are you?
3. Where am I?
Identify the country, the city or town, the neighborhood, building, room, or where in that room are you?
4. What surrounds me?
What is happening in the environment surrounding you? What's the weather? Landscape? People? Objects?
5. What are the given circumstances?
Identify events in the past, present, and future: What has happened? What is happening? What is going to happen?
5. What are the given circumstances?
Identify events in the past, present, and future: What has happened? What is happening? What is going to happen?
6. What are my relationships?
More than just your relationship with and to other people, it's your relationship to objects, characters, events, etc.
7. What do I want?
What do you want right here, right now? What does your character want overall: an ultimate want?
7. What do I want?
What do you want right here, right now? What does your character want overall: an ultimate want?
8. What is in my way?
What obstacles keep you from getting or achieving what you want?
9. What do I do to get what I want?
What actions do you take - verbally, physically, both? What tactics do you implement?
9. What do I do to get what I want?
What actions do you take - verbally, physically, both? What tactics do you implement?
