How to do a Monologue!

How to do a Monologue!

by Ms. Bartels

​1. Look at the performance as an opportunity to Act!

• ​You always want to bring a sense of play to your monologue

• ​This makes it infectious to watch

Multiple Choice

You want to bring a sense of play to your work as an actor because...

• It makes it into a bird that flies.

• It makes it into a beautiful color.

• It makes it into a cookie!

• it makes it infectious to watch!

​2. Warm up!

• ​Always physically warm-up

• ​Always vocally warm-up

• ​Always mentally warm-up

• ​No one can just roll out of bed and be an actor

• ​No one can just wake up with an Oscar

• ​You need to warm-up to be prepared to act!

Multiple Choice

You always want to be physically and vocally warmed up.

• True

• False

​3. Make Bold Choices

• ​Follow your instinct

• Don't leave it to the last minute

• Plan out your actions beforehand.

• A director can always reign in a bold choice

• ​Bold choices show bravery and creativity!

Multiple Choice

A director can always reign in a bold choice, but it shows...

• That you are a dancer!

• Disrespect to your shoes.

• Outer Space Aliens!

• Bravery and creativity!

​4. Authenticity

​

• ​In most monologues, you don't have to make over the top character choices

• ​For most monologues, you don't need to come up with a limp or an accent

• A monologue needs to reveal an essence unique to YOU: Something no one else has.

• ​You don't have to reveal ALL of your acting skills at once!

Multiple Choice

You want to show off ALL of your skills in a two minute monologue.

• You are the ruler of the universe! Of course you can show off everything in 2 minutes!

• It is near impossible to show off all of your acting skills in a 2 minute monologue.

• Maybe you're just awesome like that and people will be impressed.

• Yes, because you are amazing!

​5. Expect things to change

• ​Be flexible

• ​Rehearse your monologue in different ways

• ​Feel free to respond to things in the moment

• ​This will give you a sense of freedom and relaxation

• ​Be ready to respond in the moment!

Multiple Choice

You want to be flexible and expect things to change...

• On the bus when you are acting.

• On the street when you are acting.

• In the bathroom when you are acting!

• in the moment when you are acting!

​6. What does your character want?

• ​There is a reason why your character keeps speaking!

• ​It is important to figure out your character's objective so you can play the actions in the scene effectively.

• ​Investigate what your character wants!

Multiple Select

There is a reason your character keeps speaking!

• No one just keeps talking for no reason.

• This is because they have an objective that they have not yet achieved!

• This is because they talk too much.

• This is because they like to drink milk.

​7. Drive

• Monologues can seem like intimidating blocks of text

• ​Play to win!

• ​Don't ever slack off!

• ​Be relentless in your pursuit of your objective!

Multiple Select

Drive is an important attribute in a monologue because

(may select more than one answer)

• You must play to win!

• You must be relentless in your pursuit of your objective!