"Mean-Man Monologues" or Monologues for Actors Who Want to Play Jerks

September 25, 2024 by Tara Meddaugh in comedy monolog collection, dramatic monolog collecti, monologue collections

Tired of playing the nice guy? Wanna play a jerk? You don’t need to feel left out of the “mean-girl monologue” vibe! If you’re a male actor looking for a monologue where you can let yourself dig into your meaner side, check out this list below. Here are eight (8) “Mean-Man Monologues,” where the main character has either done something stupid (like, um, stealing from his girlfriend’s family or breaking a restraining order to deliver a Christmas tree his ex doesn’t want) or is just acting like a self-centered fill-in-the-blank. Of course, while these are certainly not “Mr. Nice Guy” characters, they still leave lots of room for complex characters, sincere motivations and good arcs. Enjoy finding those moments to make them enthralling and compelling, maybe a little endearing, or at least a character you love to hate!

Halloween Monologues Great for Kids

October 27, 2023 by Tara Meddaugh in 1-minute monologue, 30-second monologue, Halloween, monologue collections, monologue for child actor, child monolog collection, comedy monolog collection

Give your kids some fun, family-friendly monologues great for Halloween! All of these are appropriate for any gender performer.

1-Minute Monologues

January 12, 2023 by Tara Meddaugh in 1-minute monologue, absurdist theater, animal theater, allegory, blind casting, child monolog collection, children, Children's theatre, comedic, comedy monolog collection, dark comedy, dramatic, dramatic monolog collecti, fairy tale, gender neutral casting, inclusive casting, monologue by child, monologue collections, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, monologue written by chil, Monologues, monologues for male actor, mystical creatures, pre-teen, Teen, teen monologue collection, tween

One-minute monologues are an important way to make a quick impression to agents, casting directors, schools/colleges/universities. While longer monologues definitely have their place, sometimes actors are required to stick with showing their chops in less than 60 seconds. One-minute monologues also fairly easy to memorize because, well, obviously, they’re short, and they work well for younger actors who may not be ready for a 2-minute monologue or longer. One-minute monologues are also great to perform in festivals, competitions or classes, and an accessible way for actors to hone their craft privately or with a coach.

Having only 1 minute to showcase yourself as an actor can be a bit daunting though, so I’ve started a new page of my 1-minute monologues to make things a little bit easier for actors. These monologues have story and character arc, even if short, and they help actors showcase versatility and evoke emotion from their audience. There are dramatic 1-minute monologues, comedic 1-minute monologues, 1-minute monologues for women, men, any gender, teens and children. From candy-inspired monologues for kids to mean girl monologues for teens to hopeful love or scorned love—these 35 monologues allow actors to dig into complexities and give a memorable performance, in one minute.

30-Second Monologues

December 27, 2022 by Tara Meddaugh in 30-second monologue, children, child monolog collection, comedic, comedy monolog collection, dramatic, dramatic monolog collecti, gender neutral casting, inclusive casting, monologue collections, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, pre-teen, Teen, teen monologue collection, tween

While not as common, these bite-sized monologues can come in handy! So I’ve started a new page solely devoted to these 30-second monologues. Finding an impactful monologue that is less than 1 minute can be challenging. You want to convey engaging emotion, a bit or story and arc, and hopefully have a powerful opening and closing line. This is not easy in such a short time! But I’m up for the challenge and I know you, as actors/directors, are up for that too! So enjoy my growing list of memorable little monologues that can leave your mark in only 30 seconds.

Dramatic and Comedic pieces for Halloween Monologue Competitions

October 18, 2022 by Tara Meddaugh in 1-minute monologue, 10-minute monologue, 2-minute monologue, 5-minute monologue, child monolog collection, comedic, comedy monolog collection, dark comedy, dramatic monolog collecti, dramatic, Halloween, monologue collections, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, mystical creatures, Suspense, Teen, teen monologue collection, thriller, tween

If you’re looking for a great monologue to use in a Halloween Monologue Competition, check out the monologues below, beginning with creepy Halloween monologues, followed by comedic Halloween monologues. Monologues range from 1 minute to 10 minutes, children, teen and adult.

Summer Monologues

August 01, 2022 by Tara Meddaugh in 1-minute monologue, 2-minute monologue, 3-minute monologue, 30-second monologue, 5-minute monologue, absurdist theater, allegory, blind casting, child monolog collection, children, Children's theatre, comedic, comedy monolog collection, dark comedy, dramatic, dramatic monolog collecti, gender neutral casting, inclusive casting, mermaids, monologue collections, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, mystical creatures, Teen, teen monologue collection, thriller, tween, summer

If you’re looking to beat (or lean into!) the heat of the season with a summer-themed monologue, check out this list of 17 monologues that go along nicely with Summertime. Whether it’s someone’s connection to growing veggies, a safari vacation that goes amiss (in all the coolest ways), seeing a lame mermaid at the beach, pushing someone in a mud puddle, spooky things that happen in the woods at night, or ice cream your dog can’t have—enjoy these 17 comedic, dramatic, thriller, teen and children’s monologues that are great for Summer!

A Whole Lot of Monologues About Love

February 02, 2022 by Tara Meddaugh in 1-minute monologue, 2-minute monologue, 3-minute monologue, 5-minute monologue, comedic, comedy monolog collection, dark comedy, dramatic, dramatic monolog collecti, holiday, love, monologue collections, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, romance, Suspense, Teen, teen monologue collection, valentine's day

Well, we are less than 2 weeks from Valentine’s Day! If you’re looking for a monologue about love for a performance, monologue slam, audition or anything else, check out these pieces. From dark to hopeful, you can find passionate monologues for women and men (and many for any gender), highlighting love in its various dramatic forms.

Funny Monologues for Halloween

October 11, 2021 by Tara Meddaugh in 1-minute monologue, 2-minute monologue, blind casting, child monolog collection, children, comedic, comedy monolog collection, gender neutral casting, Halloween, holiday, inclusive casting, monologue collections, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, monologues for male actor, Monologues, teen monologue collection, tween

Okay--Halloween Theater doesn't ALL have to be sca ry! Check out these comedic monologues, perfect for this time of year, including:
My Missing Skittles, A Dad’s Defense, I Don’t Wanna Be A Jedi, Apple Pie Pain, The Real Value of Candy, Baby Ants in a Pie.
Click below for more details on the monologues.

21 Mom Monologues

May 07, 2021 by Tara Meddaugh in 1-minute monologue, 2-minute monologue, 3-minute monologue, 5-minute play, absurdist theater, children, Children's theatre, comedic, comedy monolog collection, dark comedy, dramatic monolog collecti, dramatic, gender neutral casting, inclusive casting, monologue collections, monologue by child, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, monologue written by chil, Monologues, monologues for male actor, pre-teen, Teen, teen monologue collection, theater of the absurd, tween

As we honor our mothers for this season (and every day!), enjoy over fifteen (15) “mom monologues.” These monologues are either specifically about moms, spoken to moms, or spoken by moms. From a werewolf’s conflicting feelings about his mother to children asking their mom for a pet skunk, from a mother struggling with her own mortality to a woman adopting a child in her 50s, these monologues range from comedic to absurd to dramatic. Enjoy these children, teen and adult monologues all centering around mother relationships!

13 Monologues about Love for Men

February 09, 2021 by Tara Meddaugh in 1-minute monologue, 2-minute monologue, 5-minute play, comedic, comedy monolog collection, dark comedy, dramatic monolog collecti, dramatic, holiday, love, monologue collections, Monologues, monologues for male actor, outdoor theater, romance, Teen, teen monologue collection, valentine's day

In this compilation, I’ve chosen ten (10) unique monologues of male characters who really dig into the idea of love from one angle or another. From a drugstore clerk smitten with a customer to a man begging his ex to forgive him of his criminal charges to a Klingon hoping his love can be a plotline, enjoy these ten (10) unique and memorable monologues about love!

You can browse each monologue individually below, or you can check out the monologue compilation packet: 10 Monologues About Love for Men, containing all ten (10) unique, compelling and memorable monologues for male characters (a great value at only $9.99 for all 10 monologues!). Monologues range in length from 1 minute to 5 minutes, or more, depending on performance, and are suitable for adult, or older teen, actors. Please note: while roles in these monologues are written for gender-specific characters, actors of any gender may feel free to play any role they connect with.

14 Monologues about Love for Women

February 08, 2021 by Tara Meddaugh in 1-minute monologue, 2-minute monologue, 5-minute play, comedic, comedy monolog collection, dark comedy, dramatic, dramatic monolog collecti, love, monologue collections, monologue for female acto, Monologues, romance, Teen, teen monologue collection, valentine's day

How many plays, movies or books center around the main character looking for love? If you reflect back on hit movies, favorite books, or well-known plays (even taking all the Hallmark Christmas rom-coms out of the mix!), you will probably come up with a list that shows at least half (dare I say 3/4?) of popular stories center around the idea of finding or chasing love. There’s a reason for this. Besides the fact that we all need and want some form of love in our lives, pursuing love is dramatic. Characters put a lot on the line hoping for love. Intense emotions make their way to the surface—extreme jealousy, pitiful desperation, raging anger, divine passion. So if you’re looking to make an impact performing a short piece of drama (while showcasing some memorable acting or directing chops), using a monologue about love can be a great option.

A week before Valentine’s Day, I’ve compiled nine (9) unique monologues of female characters who really dig into the idea of love from one angle or another. The love in these monologues is not clean or perfect; these experiences with love are complicated, layered, sometimes funny, sometimes dark, sometimes desperate, hurt, or empowered. But that’s another reason they make for interesting and challenging drama. From a heart made out of fingernails to a jealous iphone to a pregnant newlywed whose husband is fighting in a war, enjoy these unique and memorable monologues about love!

9 Memorable Monologues about Scorned Love: Monologue Compilation Packet

January 31, 2021 by Tara Meddaugh in 1-minute monologue, 2-minute monologue, absurdist theater, comedic, comedy monolog collection, dark comedy, dramatic, dramatic monolog collecti, holiday, love, monologue collections, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, Teen, teen monologue collection, theater of the absurd, valentine's day

Some people are lucky enough to hold onto beautiful romantic love all their adult lives, but if you’re looking for a dramatic piece more on the “sadder but wiser” side of love, check out these nine (9) monologues about “scorned love.” That’s right—all of these characters have had their loved one betray them, leave them or never love them back to begin with. ☹ Of course, their responses to a love lost are varied: we have hopeful or pleading, to angry or downright criminal. But in each case, these monologues make for a fun acting challenge. Whether you’re playing a man bleeding out at a hospital, a betrayed woman by a chopped down tree, or a teen whose truck-jumping-stunt did not quite win him the love of his dreams, enjoy these nine unique monologues about “scorned love!”

You can check out each monologue individually below, or you can purchase a monologue compilation packet containing all nine (9) unique, compelling and memorable monologues about “scorned love” (a great value at only $9 for all 9 monologues). Monologues range in length from 1 minute to 5 minutes, or more, depending on performance, and are suitable for adult, or older teen, actors.

Click “READ MORE” below for the 9 monologues about scorned love.

20 + Christmas Monologues

November 13, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in 1-minute monologue, 5-minute play, blind casting, child monolog collection, children, Children's theatre, Christmas, comedic, comedy monolog collection, dark comedy, dramatic, dramatic monolog collecti, gender neutral casting, holiday, inclusive casting, monologue collections, monologue for child actor, monologue by child, monologue for female acto, monologue written by chil, Monologues, monologues for male actor, pre-teen, Teen, teen monologue collection, tween

Holiday lights and decorations are going up EARLY this year! While live productions in theater are rare right now (what a surreal/hard thing to say…), many performers are turning to monologues as they gear up for streamed shows, classroom performances, or socially distanced live theater. Monologue-based performances allow actors to rehearse on their own, and lend themselves easily to a Zoom-style platform. Whether you’re able to manage covid-precautioned in-person theater or are using a video service, holiday monologues can be a nice way to keep festive theater on the mind.

Check out these ten (10) Christmas monologues below, plus a packet of additional Christmas monologues for children, extracted from my one-act play, Christmas Superpowers and Believing in Blitzen. These monologues range in length from 30 seconds to 5 minutes.

17 Suspenseful Monologues

September 30, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in comedy monolog collection, dark comedy, dramatic, dramatic monolog collecti, Halloween, monologue collections, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, mystical creatures, Suspense, teen monologue collection, thriller

Suspense is a powerful tool in theater. Who doesn’t want to keep the audience on the edge of their seat? Writers and directors can create entire plays or films that center on building suspense, ultimately paying off in the final scene. When you have only 1-2 minutes in a monologue to convey a scene or character, creating this world of suspense can be a challenge, but if you manage it, you’ll have your own payoff.

Here, I’ve compiled over 15 short monologues which cultivate a scenario of suspense, while conveying a memorable story and character. From murdered ferrets, floods and fangs, to guns, sirens and fires—these monologues are sure to keep your audience leaning in.

5 Great “Mean-Girl” monologues for teens: Comedy with a sharp edge!

August 19, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in comedic, comedy monolog collection, dark comedy, dramatic, monologue collections, monologue for female acto, Monologues, Teen, teen monologue collection

You don’t have to be auditioning for Mean Girls on Broadway to appreciate these monologues. For teens, or young adults, looking to show off their cutting, yet comedic side, these monologues are great for auditions, competitions, and performances. These monologues are funny and, well, kind of mean, operating under the layered humor I find interesting: show your self-absorption and cruelty under the guise of being nice. Check out these monologues about friendships, dance class, high-heeled shoes, Calculus and more!…

11 Great Dramatic Monologues for Children

July 27, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in child monolog collection, children, Children's theatre, dramatic, monologue collections, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, Reader's Theater, dramatic monolog collecti

Finding a dramatic children’s monologue that is thoughtful, relatable, and age-appropriate can be a challenge. Here, I’ve collected ten (10) dramatic children’s monologues for you that are unique, memorable and fun for kids to act. These monologues range from 30 seconds to around 2 minutes. From Goldilocks having second thoughts to Lindsey confronting a bully who took a precious souvenir to Jenna facing an angry sister and a floor of broken glass—enjoy these 10 monologues show which can showcase your child’s dramatic talent and range!

Thirteen (13) Great Comedic Children's Monologues Involving Child to Parent Confrontations

July 22, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in children, Children's theatre, comedic, monologue by child, monologue collections, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, monologue written by chil, Monologues, monologues for male actor, star wars, Reader's Theater, child monolog collection, comedy monolog collection

Is there anything more comically dramatic than a child breaking the bad news to his dad that he doesn’t want to be a Jedi? Or a daughter justifying to her mom why she should have a pet skunk? Okay…maybe a few things are a bit more dramatic, but emotions are emotions, and these clever children’s monologues are full of fun, clean drama, comedic timing and relatability. Muster up your passion for Animal Crossing, iPads and candy, and showcase your acting talent with these twelve (12) great comedic children’s monologues where a child confronts a parent. And definitely, have fun doing it!

Honing your Acting skill: Monologues for actors under quarantine

May 06, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in children, comedic, Community, dark comedy, dramatic, Education, monologue collections, monologue for child actor, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, romance, social, Teen

For many of us during this global pandemic, our theaters are closed down, acting classes are held virtually and auditions are video or streaming-only. Theater is a communal art-form by nature, so without the physical community, this distancing can be counter-intuitive and disheartening. However, artists are also resilient and creative by nature, and it did not take long for theater folks to form groups where readings and performances were held online, and actors, in their own isolation, have dedicated unanticipated space to honing their craft during this time of furlough….

Fourteen (14) Romantic Monologues About Hopeful Love

February 11, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in comedic, dark comedy, dramatic, love, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, romance, Teen, valentine's day, monologue collections, comedy monolog collection, dramatic monolog collecti, 1-minute monologue, 2-minute monologue, 5-minute play, 10-minute monologue, fairy tale, mermaids, mystical creatures

Love is complex, and the beginning phases, when there is doubt mixed with infatuation, it’s that hope of a romance that keeps you going. Check out these 8 romantic monologues where characters experience their own ranges of that spectrum. Whether the character is after brand new love or reconciling a love that has withered, join them on their quest for romance!
(Click the title for excerpts and the complete monologue)

29 Unique Monologues About Love...

January 29, 2020 by Tara Meddaugh in comedic, dark comedy, dramatic, love, monologue for female acto, Monologues, monologues for male actor, romance, Teen, thriller, valentine's day, monologue collections, comedy monolog collection, dramatic monolog collecti

With Valentine’s Day a couple weeks away, enjoy this collection of unique monologues all about love…Some characters are hopeful, wistful, romantic; some characters are jealous, scorned, lonely; and…one thinks he’s a klingon. So… Wherever you are at in the love-spectrum, I hope the season brings you joy, hope, theatrical creativity—and you can kick it all off with these memorable monologues!…