Grade 8 - Monologue Project
Name: ______________________________ Date: _____________________________
Over the next several classes you will be preparing through dramatic arts games and other various
games/techniques to select, rehearse and perform a monologue for an audience.
What is a monologue?
In theater and film, a monologue is when a character speaks in an extended fashion to the audience. As an
actor, this is akin to a solo performance in an orchestra, when you have the opportunity to showcase your
performance. Delivering a monologue is also often part of auditioning, giving the casting staff a sense of
your presentation and delivery.
Other important points to remember
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Think of your monologue as a story, and make sure you know the story. Some actors like to approach
each line one at a time for thought process purposes. For beginners it should be enough simply to
know the whole story so that if you forget lines you can improvise cover lines that fit in with the story.
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Be sure to look at the audience when appropriate.
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Think about appropriate mannerisms, such as hand gestures, in your monologue. Monologues are
more than just reciting the lines.
Part 1
Choose a monologue that is suited to your, acting range, age, gender, and appearance. In general, it's
better to go for monologues from roles that most closely resemble your physical appearance.
Pick a piece that will showcase your range and talents. Again, if you are a really experienced and talented
actor, go for a monologue that is more difficult that showcases your ability. But unless you have years of
performing and drama lessons, do not try anything fancy; present yourself solidly within your ability.
Homework:
1. Research on the internet, at the library or through books you have at home and find a monologue that
best fits you. Feel free to take monologues from movies as well. Watch monologues on the internet that
are appropriate for your age group.
2. Complete the monologue information sheet.
Part 2
Memorize your lines. This often means reading and reciting them over and over again until they are
memorized. At this step, do not worry about extra details: just get the words memorized so everything else
comes easier. Most actors need to both read and recite the monologue.
Homework: Ensure that you know all the lines to your monologue without having to think about them too
much. Practice in front of a mirror, record yourself, or ask a friend/family member to prompt you when you
forget a line or a word.
Part 3
Develop your character. Often the hardest part is making the character you perform seem real in those
short few minutes you have.

Pick one or two elements that give a sense of a character. For instance, the Tin Man in "The
Wizard of Oz" will walk and dance stiffly. Glinda the Good smiles in a beatific manner and glides
regally. The Wicked Witch of the West cackles and acts menacingly.

Dress for your monologue, if appropriate. A little costume or sense of costume helps you get in
character, but also help your audience or director see you in the role. For instance, if you are
doing a monologue for the role of Rizzo in "Grease", a pink shirt, tight black pants, and a scarf
and maybe chewing gum gives the sense of the 1950's- era character.

It helps to develop your character in front of a mirror, so you can see yourself perform. You can
also record yourself and play back, which can help you determine what works for you and what
does not.
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Experiment and have fun. While acting is often serious, keeping your mind loose and open and
fun is important in the creative process. Try different "serious" things with your role, then try
something fun and random, even for a serious monologue. Try your monologue as the exact
opposite emotion you are trying to convey, or replace one key word with "banana" or some
such. This can help break up fatigue, drudgery, and frustration and create a fresh performance.

Make it natural. At first, your performance will generally be a bit clunky, or overdone, or
hesitant. Practice until what you are performing feels smooth. Remember that on stage, you do
have to act more dramatically than you do in real life, but avoid "over-acting" as well.
Homework:
1. Complete the worksheet for developing your character
2. Using sensory and emotional recall (learned in class), develop your character for your performance
Part 4
Rehearse your monologue in front of people that will give you useful feedback. Just saying, "that was
good" is encouraging, but not useful...ask "what was good about it?" If they did not like it, what was it that
did not work so well? Remember that actors have to be open to criticism, and not take it personally or
over-react.
Part 5
Perform your monologue. Ensure that you have all your costumes and/or props ready for your
performance.
Due Date: ______________________________________
Monologue Information
Student Name: ______________________________ Class: __________
Monologue Title: __________________________________________________
(If there is no title, make one up that would communicate the theme of the monologue)
Source: __________________________________________________________
Character Name: _____________________________Character Age: _________
Write a brief paragraph explaining why you chose this monologue.
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How do you connect to the character? Explain.
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Character Personality Analysis for your Monologue
How do you describe yourself?
How do others describe you?
(Create a list of traits, adjectives,
(Walk around and ask friends, peers,
characteristics)
others to give you a list of traits,
adjectives, characteristics, etc.)
What does the character think about
his/herself? How do you know?
Outlining Your Monologue
How do others describe your character?
1. Find the beginning, middle and end.
Beginning
Introduces the
problem/issue
Begins to show the
character doing
something about the
problem/issue
First beat shows
character trying to do
something to get what
he/she wants.
Middle
End
Number of
Summarizes/caps of
strategies/tactics/techniques the speech
character uses to get what
he/she wants
Let’s the audience
know if the character
gets what he/she
wants.
2. Questions to find out basic information:
a. Who is the character addressing? A friend, a father, servant, etc.
b. Where does the monologue come in the play? This will give an indication
of the intensity of the monologue and of the references of what the
person is talking about.
c. What has happened so far in the play? Everything that happened prior
to the day of this character shapes the outlook, behaviour, desires of
him/her.
d. Why is the character speaking this bunch of words? What is the basic
situation? Why are you saying whatever you are (as the character).
e. Think about what you are asking the other person for? What do you
want them to do as a result of this speech?
f. Do you get what you’re asking for? How does that change your
attitude/behaviour from the beginning of the monologue to the end?