How to Prepare a Monologue

From this article article you will understand how to properly choose and prepare a monolugue for any occassion.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

The Monologue and You

1. Find something that challenges you as an actor but also fits a physical description of who you are.

2. Peruse thoroughly the character's exposition. Where is the character from? What is the character? How did the character arrive to the point from whence your monologue begins? Who is the character? Why is the character provoked to speak?

3. Analyze with precision. Begin highlighting operative words within your piece and separate the beats accordingly. Your preparation should display congnizance of who this person is and what he or she is attempting to accomplish.

4. Create an inner monologue for the character's monologue. By now, you should have made choices as an actor for your character. This is the time to paraphrase in your own words, line by line, what you are saying or invoking as the character.

5. Know your thoughts as the character even while you're performing the monologue. Subtext is tough, but very necessary, for the evolution of your character.

6. Know your monologue forward and backwards. Rehearse the monologue until it sounds like your thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

Tips & Warnings

• Let the audience see you thinking.
• Stay in character.
• Never play to audience with a monologue.
• Don't ad lib or change the wording.