Okay--Halloween Theater doesn't ALL have to be scary! 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.
If you’re looking for a solo thriller performance piece, consider my new 10-minute monologue play, Don’t Close the Doors. There’s no gore, no blood, yet the ominous atmosphere is consuming. This is a perfect choice for spooky Halloween theater, but is also powerful as a dramatic tragedy any time of year.
We’re familiar with the creepiness a bedroom closet can evoke: What’s inside those closed doors when we’re sleeping in our bed, when we’re practicing the violin, talking to a friend…? Does closing those doors keep out whatever it is that might be lurking from within? But what if that presence in the closet doesn’t want to be there any more than we want it there? What if that presence in the closet is the one being tortured, not us? In Don’t Close the Doors:
Abigail, a ghost in Stephanie’s closet, is sorry she must use her powers to freeze Stephanie in place, but what she must share with Stephanie is so dire that sometimes these things must be done. At first, it appears Abigail’s ominous presence is a threat to Stephanie. However, as Abigail relays the tragedies which have left her paralyzed in Stephanie’s closet, we realize it is Abigail who desperately needs Stephanie’s help to end her heartbreaking torture.
Read MoreLet’s be honest - the woods at night can be creepy for even the bravest of us. It’s not quite so bad though if we have someone by our side. But what if that someone suddenly…disappears? And leaves us alone, calling their name, only to find…someone else appear instead?
That is the premise behind my new thriller/dramatic/horror monologue, Where’s Your Hand, Chloe? Addison’s friend, Chloe, disappears on their walk home in the woods (NEVER TAKE THE SHORTCUT THROUGH THE WOODS!). At first, Addison is relieved when she thinks the person in the distance is her friend. But she soon discovers the bloodied soul that is getting closer and closer to Addison is not at all Chloe. Addison’s panic increases as she sees the grotesque Being holds Chloe’s braid wrapped around its shoulder.
As we round the corner toward Halloween and all things spooky, check out my new suspenseful 2-3 minute monologue, Where’s Your Hand, Chloe? This is a great monologue for actors who really want to tap into their horror/frightened/panicking-but-trying-to-stay-calm side. The monologue arrives to you just in time for those awesome Halloween Monologue Slams! Enjoy an excerpt below and check out other suspenseful monologues here or creepy monologues here.
Read MoreOutdoor theater has always evoked a unique energy to its cast and audience, and throughout the covid-19 pandemic, more people have been taking advantage of staging and enjoying theater outside. The abundance of fresh air and space coupled with the natural environment can be appealing and invigorating. So if you’re looking to stage theater outside, consider these 10-minute and one-act comedies, dramas, and dark comedies for adults, teens and children. From a garden to a campfire, a beanstalk to a forest, a zoo to a parking lot, all of these plays are naturally set outdoors. You don’t need to force a kitchen sink into your local park. The world of these play is already outside. Enjoy!
Read MoreAs 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!
Read MoreWhat do you do when you’re confronted with a jealous force in your life who demands that you abandon your new and precious human connection? And what do you do when this jealous force happens to be…um…a bingo chip?
Yeeeess…
This is part of the story of my full-length dark comedy/absurdist thriller, Free Space. Amelia views hosting her own Bingo Night as a way to escape her lonely life. Not only does she have the excitement of planning this magical night, but planning this night has led to a growing bond between her and Ricky, a kind-hearted boy who works at the local cannery. But as Amelia starts to envision a brighter future, a talking Bingo Chip begins calling the shots. Amelia is losing control of her own Game—and relationship with Ricky.
Frog Band-Aid is a monologue from Free Space. Ricky has just given Amelia a private tour of the cannery he works at. During the tour, the two joyfully plan the event, and discuss visiting a pet store together. After Amelia leaves the cannery, she walks home, speaking to the mysterious Bingo Chip in her pocket which has become increasingly demanding.
This dark comedy/dramatic monologue runs around 3 minutes and is appropriate for an older teen through adult actor. Enjoy the excerpt below and check out Free Space to learn more about Amelia and her story.
Read MoreI’m honored to be included in Backstage’s list, 6 Playwrights Young Actors Can Turn To for Monologues, by top NYC youth acting coach, Todd Etelson. I love writing both comedic and dramatic monologues for children and teens, so I’m grateful to be recognized here.
Regardless of style or content, she [Meddaugh] writes her plays in such a way as they are uniquely theatrical, clearly in her own voice, and truly original pieces that belong on the stage. From comedic to dramatic to everything in-between, you can find her well-written monologues on her website.
Check out the other five (5) playwrights in this list who write awesome monologues for children and teens!
Read MoreHere near New York City, we have had quite a snowy February! When we received half an inch of snow at the end of January, my son and I spent almost an hour rolling up shreds of snow to create a small snowboy. I think he was half leaves and mulch, but hey; we had a little snow and were going to enjoy it! Of course, if we’d only waited a few days…we would have found ourselves in a true Winter Wonderland! A Nor’easter gifted us a glorious 2 feet of perfect packing snow! Needless to say, making a much larger snowman after that storm took a whole of five minutes. Not even a week later, we found ourselves receiving at least another foot of snow, and there’s more to come this week.
So—our family has made some sort of large snow-army in our backyard, a snow Bill Cipher, a snow-slide and lots of mini snowmen. Going on walks in the neighborhood is a treat, as we get to take in all the awesome snow creations people have made around us (we’ve even created “Snowman Certificates” to leave on people’s porches). So yes, we have snow on our brains! And…since my son has been responding to fiction writing-prompts for his schoolwork, he gave me a writing prompt himself which has resulted in this wintery children’s monologue, Snowman Versus Sun. I also have to give him credit as he designed the monologue cover himself (his at-home-digital-design class with Mom: Canva!)
As the title indicates, the monologue is about that age-old problem: snowman v. sun. In this 1-minute free comedic monologue great for young kids, Titus takes on the sun directly himself. Do you think the sun will listen to him? He’s got a pretty big request…
Read MoreHow 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!
Read MoreSome 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.
Read MoreWell, folks. It’s that time of year again! With just over 2 weeks away from Valentine’s Day, I’ll be spending the next few blog posts giving you some loved-based theater! (Can you hear the “love” sound effects in your mind? Birds? “Aws?” A glorious harpsichord? ) No guarantee it will be requited love, however. In fact, many of my “love-based” monologues tend to lean more on the side of yearning love, desperate love, unhappy love, a little…weird love… Which brings me to…
My brand new monologue, Fingernail Heart. Um, yes. You read that right. Fingernail heart. What the…??? Okay, I can explain. Well… Maybe it’s better if I let our protagonist, Emily (below), explain. After all, she’s put in the hard work to craft this fingernail heart. But I will say, if you’re a fan of Ferret Envy, then I think you’ll enjoy the quirky desperation of Fingernail Heart. Emily is confronting her ex-boyfriend (who clearly does NOT want to see her), and offering, yes, that’s right, her gift of a fingernail heart. This monologue is a blast for actors who are okay with slightly off-beat roles, because you can really lean into the absurdity, the humor, but at the same time, the gravity, emotional instability and darkness—all with that underlying feeling of “she is reaching a breaking point…she is reaching a breaking point…”. You’ll enjoy finding all those delightful moments to shift the tone, the tactic, while keeping the same basic intention (“will girl get boy?”).
This monologue runs around 1.5-2 minutes, and while written for a female character, as with most of my monologues, it can be suitable for inclusive casting, as long as the actor connects with it.
Enjoy an excerpt below!…
Read MoreIf you’re looking for a humorous monologue with a dark undertone, check out my new monologue, Cutting Down the Maple Tree. Kari is pushed too far by her (presumably cheating) husband and lashes out in vengeance, cutting down a taunting tree and trapping his drunken legs under it. Now, at least, the tree will no longer have hold over her and she looks forward to a “fresh start” with her husband.
This dark comedy/thriller/dramatic monologue is approximately 2 1/2 minutes long, and is appropriate for adults, 20s to 60s. It is a fun and challenging role for an actor, as Kari’s intentions, emotions and state of mind are complex and varied. Enjoy an except below:
Read MoreIf you’re looking for a 2-minute dramatic monologue from a play, check out my newly released monologue, Clippers, from my one-act play, Seventeen Stitches. Clippers is appropriate for tweens, teens and young adults; it is suitable for actors of any gender. In this monologue, Peter struggles to make sense of his father’s actions and intentions. When Peter was attacked by a bully who wanted his bike, Peter’s father rescues his son, but lets the bully take the precious bike. Peter doesn’t understand why his loving father would not punish the bully, and from that moment on, feels abandoned by his father.
Read MoreIf you’re looking for a dramatic (slightly comedic) monologue from a full-length play, check out my 2-minute or 1-minute version of the monologue, The Meaning of Plants. In it, Stacy expresses her disdain for pretty flowers which hold meaning from the giver (like, “I love you,” “I’m sorry” or “you died”). She prefers the brightness and freedom of dandelions, but most of all, she loves potatoes. Their existence is hidden below the common world, but while humble, is very important.
Stacy is not entirely unlike the humble, but important potato, lying undiscovered. She is a hard working employee at a dog grooming salon. She’s awkward, a bit uncomfortable in her own skin. She endures harassment and lies from another employee, but has found Mr. Boland, the client she speaks to about plants, to be an unassuming, gentle soul. Through the play, Brush Them Fleas, Stacy struggles against accusations and lies, and ultimately finds her own voice and strength. Click here to read the full-length absurdist comedy, Brush Them Fleas or an excerpt from the play.
This monologue has a 1-minute version here (which ends before Stacy speaks about potatoes), as well as a longer 2-minute version here, including her musings on the potato.
Learn the brief description of the play, Brush Them Fleas, from which this monologue comes, then enjoy and excerpt below from the monologue, The Meaning of Plants.
Read MoreCruelty continues to be a theme I explore in my work for adults, as well as for children and teens. It’s a theme that will always be examined in many mediums by many people—because, sadly, it happens from cradle to grave—from those with the least power to (quite dangerously) those with the most power.
While my writing often explores cruelty, more importantly, it explores those who experience cruelty and their journey to gain strength. This happens in outwardly large ways and it happens in seemingly small ways. Giving voice to those struggling against oppressors, whether this be from leaders, “frenemies,” manipulating criminals, or schoolyard bullies, is important because these voices are valuable, precious, and inspiring. They are the ones we need to hear.
In my short monologue, Eiffel Tower Keychain, Lindsey gains strength against her classroom bully. Lindsey’s father, who has moved and no longer lives with her, gave her a glass Eiffel Tower keychain, which now a bully has grabbed from her. Lindsey pleads with the taunting bully to give her back the keychain. At first she is meek, then she demands it back with the strength of deserved self-worth. This is a short dramatic monologue, only around 30 seconds in length, appropriate for children or tweens, gender-neutral.
Read MoreIf you’re looking for a short children’s monologue with a dramatic bent, consider my monologue, Butterfly in the Tomato Plant. It is a challenge to perform (or write) a monologue which shows arc and range in 30 seconds but rewarding to explore. In Butterfly in the Tomato Plant, Nicole observes an injured butterfly, bullied by the same children who had bullied her the previous day (they ripped her backpack and now they have ripped the butterfly’s wings). She reflects on her own desire to have wings and escape bullies, but then realizes the butterfly’s wings did not end up saving it. She decides to take the butterfly home to care for it in a windowsill plant she has been nurturing herself.
Read MoreHoliday 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.
Read MoreIt’s Christmas morning and Sam has a problem. He is outraged that Santa has, yet again, given him oranges in his stocking, despite his previous complaints that he doesn’t like them. Since Santa has not heeded his requests, Sam devises a simple plan that will teach Santa a lesson.
Christmas Kale is a one-minute comedic children’s monologue, for an inclusive cast (not gender specific). It’s suitable for children or pre-teens.
Christmas Kale is from the one-act play, Christmas Superpowers and Believing in Blitzen.
Read MoreIn this 5-minute dramatic monologue, Strawberry Shortcake Lamp, Janine returns to her childhood Home to spend time with her mother who is dying. Janine’s mother has ALS, a progressive disease, and in the last few weeks, her health has rapidly declined to the point of barely being able to speak or move. When Janine first arrives to the house, she asks her mother what she would like to do. Her mother gives her the simple request to “talk.” And so, Janine cuddles up in bed beside her, and talks.
This is a monologue about grief, about simplicity, about love, care, living on, passing down, and sacred links between women. I also share it today, on the anniversary of my own mother’s death. Click here for more on ALS.
Click for a free excerpt to the monologue, Strawberry Shortcake Lamp.
Read MoreIn Sharing Soil (a 10-minute play within my longer vignette-style piece, Movements of the Wind), Carrot and Potato risk safety and rejection from their own garden cultures when they embark on a new friendship in the face of soil prejudices.
Carrot’s monologue, Second-Hand Dirt, from Sharing Soil, shows a moment of how hurt can be masked with scapegoating. Carrot has just been bullied by other carrots, even having her carrot tip bitten off by them. When Potato finds her crying, Carrot lashes out in misplaced anger toward the quizzical young vegetable. Potato does not stand for this, and Carrot shares how her attempts to be kind to other carrots have not been reciprocated, leading her to become “mean.”
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