Why use monologues as a learning tool?
1. Monologues are a fun way to practice speech and communication skills.
2. Not only would a student gain skills from memorizing and performing monologues, but they create opportunities for discussion about feelings and how to communicate emotions.
3. Monologue are excellent for children to practice memory skills as well as practice dramatic expression.
4. Communication is important to foster and stage monologues are an excellent way to encourage kids to improve their public speaking.
![Why use monologues as a learning tool?]( "Why use monologues as a learning tool?")
How to Practice a Monologue:
1. Select a monologue that is right for you. Try to find one that fits your age and personality. If you’re a 14 year old girl, don’t do one about a 70 year old man. Ideally, look for a monologue that you can understand from your own experiences. For example, a monologue about sailing might be hard to connect to emotionally if you’ve never been on a boat.
2. Read the source. Find the play that your monologue comes from and read it to understand what is happening before and after the monologue. If you are in a competition and need to use a published play, it is good to purchase a copy of the play the monologue comes from to take with you in case the judges ask for it.
3. Who is the character? When you read the monologue and the play it comes from, look at the character more closely. Use adjectives to describe them.
4. Analyze the monologue. Break it down into parts. Find changes in tone. If you show an emotional range, it will keep it interesting. Find parts where you can show different emotions. Perhaps one part is silly and another more serious. Maybe you can show sadness in one part and anger in another. The more variety you add, the more interesting it becomes.
5. Re-read the monologue dramatically.
6. Memorize the monologue.
7. Record yourself performing the monologue and review it.
8. Next, perform for someone you feel comfortable with and get feedback.
9. Now, you’re ready to perform or audition.
Here is a link to free monologues to pick from at http://www.freedrama.net/small1.html or if you need a PDF, check out the links below:
"The Big Bad Wolf" is a comedy monologue for young actors who want to practice their humorous acting skills. http://www.currclick.com/product/104427/The-Big-Bad-Wolf
"End the Hurting" a short script that highlights the struggle children go through when they are abused and bullied http://www.currclick.com/product/104743/End-the-Hurting-acting-monologue-and-scene
"Forever on Hold" is a comedy monologue for actors http://www.currclick.com/product/104798/Forever-on-Hold-comedy-monologue-for-actors
“Wishing” is an excellent one for showing emotional range. http://www.currclick.com/product/104460/Public-Speaking-and-Acting-Skills-with-Wishing-Monologue
"Piggy Princess" Monologue, excellent way to practice speech and communication skills as a reader and actor http://www.currclick.com/product/105545/Piggy-Princess-monologue
Public Speaking and Acting Skills with monologue Alien Goo
"How to be a Pirate" is a monologue about a pirate girl who is teaching someone else how to be a good female pirate. This is a fun comedy monologue to practice a young actor's acting skills. This monologue is from the play "The Pirate and the Princess" by D. M. Larson
“Sunset Princess” also from “The Pirate and the Princess”
Humpty Dumpty Private Egg Hard-boiled Detective is a family friendly comedy monologue for male actor adapted from the full length play "Holka Polka"
"Bullied, Bungled and Botched" is a series of monologues for the stage about young adults who are dealing with bullies and depression. They share their struggles, hopes and dreams and eventually find a way to work together and support each other through this difficult time in their lives.
“The Not So Perfect Child” is a dramatic monologue by D. M. LARSON from the published stage play “Flowers in the Desert”
It is the story of a girl who feels she is overshadowed by her sister and not good enough for her mother.
“Protecto” is a kid who wants to be a hero. He dreams of making the world a better place. And he wants to protect everyone from a bully who is hurting everyone. The monologue is also an excellent way to introduce the topic of bullies to children and encourage discussion about this social issue that many kids struggle with.
