TEEN MONOLOGUES

Tara loves to write for teens and has crafted her monologues to stand out, be memorable and entertaining. Tara’s male and female teen monologues are comedic or dramatic, and are suitable for pre-teens at the middle school level through high school to young adults. While these monologues are written for teens, teens may play many of the monologues listed in the dramatic monologue or comedic monologue section, as well. These monologues are great for auditions, showcases, competitions, workshops, reels, classes, monologue slams, videos, performances etc, but please seek permission of use first by contacting Tara with your desired use of the monologue. You must always give proper credit.

Scroll down for descriptions and excerpts from teen monologues, or click the title for a link to the specific monologue. 

A Case for Astronaut Caroling, monologue Genre: COMEDY/CHILDREN/TWEEN/CHRISTMAS, Cast: MALE/FEMALE, Setting: Home
A Donut Daydream, monologue Genre: COMEDY, Cast FEMALE, Setting: LIBRARY
A Klingon In Love, monologue Genre: COMEDY, Cast MALE (female), Setting: STAR TREK CONVENTION
A Life Spurred into Meaningful Adventure, monologue Genre: DRAMA/COMEDY/TEEN, Cast FEMALE, Setting: FOREST
A Really Good Reason, monologue Genre; COMEDY/TEEN/DRAMA, Cast FEMALE (male), Setting: COFFEE SHOP
A Waste of a Totally Good Jelly Bean, monologue. Genre: COMEDY/CHILDREN'S/TEEN, Cast: MALE/FEMALE, Setting: A KITCHEN
Annoying Alien, monologue Genre: COMEDIC/CHILDREN/TEEN/TWEEN, Cast: Any gender, Setting: Bedroom
Amanda’s Monologue from the one-act, What Happened at the Mud Puddle Genre: COMEDY/TEEN/DRAMA, Cast: FEMALE
Abhay and the Banana, monologue Genre: DRAMA, Cast: MALE (female), Setting: MUMBAI, INDIA
Baby Ants in a Pie monologue Genre: COMEDY, Cast FEMALE (Male), Setting: KITCHEN/DINING ROOM
Chloe’s Monologue from What Happened at the Mud Puddle Genre: DRAMATIC/TEEN/TWEEN, Cast: FEMALE, Setting: Outside
Claire, My Eclair, monologue, teen version Genre: COMEDY/DRAMA/TEEN, Cast MALE, Setting: OUTSIDE OF A SCHOOL
Clippers, monologue Genre: DRAMA/DARK COMEDY/TEEN, Cast: MALE/FEMALE, Setting: SPACE BETWEEN LINES
Cloudlily The Unicorn & Zoey, monologue Genre: COMEDY/CHILDREN/TEEN/ADULT, Cast: FEMALE/MALE/ANY GENDER, Setting: FOREST
Covering My Ears, monologue Genre: DRAMATIC/TEEN/CHILDREN Cast: FEMALE/MALE Setting: A BATHROOM
Don’t Close the Doors, monologue Genre: DRAMATIC/THRILLER/10-minute Cast: FEMALE, Setting: CLOSET IN A BEDROOM
Engulf the Evil Ashes, monologue Genre: DRAMATIC/TEEN, Cast: FEMALE, Setting: BUILDING IN ALBANIA *Content contains references to human trafficking and violence
F For Friendship, monologue Genre: DARK COMEDY/THRILLER/TEEN Cast: FEMALE Setting: WOODS
Ferret Envy, monologue Genre: DARK COMEDY/THRILLER/DRAMA, Cast FEMALE (male), Setting: APARTMENT
Fingernail Heart, monologue Genre: DARK COMEDY/COMEDY/DRAMA, Cast FEMALE, Setting: OUTSIDE HOUSE
Forbidden in the Elf Manual, monologue Genre: COMEDY/CHRISTMAS, Cast MALE/FEMALE/ANY GENDER, Setting: CLASSROOM
Forgiveness and Defeat at a Pokemon Gym Genre: COMEDY/TEEN/CHILDREN, cast MALE (female), Setting: A PARKING LOT
Freshly Squeezed, monologue Genre: COMEDY/TEEN/DRAMA, Cast: FEMALE, Setting: KITCHEN, 1940s
Frog Band-Aid, monologue Genre: DARK COMEDY/DRAMA/THRILLER, Cast FEMALE, Setting: OUTSIDE
Growing Up on the Wrong Side of Bingo, monologue Genre: COMEDY/DARK COMEDY/TEEN/DRAMA, cast: FEMALE (male), Setting: FRONT LAWN
Haircuts for Hannah, monologue Genre: TEEN/COMEDIC, cast: FEMALE, Setting: Dance Studio
Head to Toe, monologue Genre: COMEDIC/DRAMATIC/ROM-COM, Cast: FEMALE (male), Setting: KITCHEN/ZOOM
I am a Shark, monologue Genre: DRAMATIC, Cast MALE/FEMALE, Setting: A BEACH
Iowa Is Gonna Be So Jealous, monologue Genre: COMEDIC/TEEN/CHILDREN, Cast: MALE/FEMALE, Setting: SAFARI JEEP
Ipad Fury, monologue Genre: COMEDY/CHILDREN'S, Cast MALE/FEMALE, Setting: A MINIVAN
Jingle Bell Hater, monologue Genre: COMEDY/CHILDREN’S/CHRISTMAS, Cast: MALE/FEMALE, Setting: Class at the North Pole
Livvy's Vase, monologue Genre: DRAMATIC, Cast: FEMALE (male), Setting: HOUSE
Locking the Store, monologue Genre: DARK COMEDY/DRAMA, Cast: MALE, Setting: GIFT SHOP
March in Line, monologue Genre: DARK COMEDY, Cast: FEMALE/MALE, Setting: BEDROOM
Mary's Expectations, monologue Genre: COMEDIC, Cast: FEMALE, Setting: 18TH CENTURY HOME
Maybe the Next iOS Update monologue Genre: COMEDY/DRAMA/TEEN, Cast: FEMALE (Male), Setting: A RESTAURANT
More Than Santa, monologue Genre: COMEDY/CHRISTMAS/DRAMATIC, Cast: FEMALE, Setting: MALL FOOD COURT
No More Mirrors, monologue Genre: DRAMATIC, Cast FEMALE (male), Setting: HOTEL/CAMBODIA *Content contains references to human trafficking and violence
My Missing Skittles, monologue Genre: COMEDY/CHILDREN/TEEN Cast: MALE/FEMALE Setting: KITCHEN
No Release, monologue Genre: DRAMA/TEEN, Cast: FEMALE/MALE, Setting: HOUSE
Not Just Derivatives and Functions or Whatever, monologue Genre: COMEDY/TEEN, Cast: FEMALE, Setting: SCHOOL CAFETERIA
Pieces of Coal, monologue Genre: HORROR/THRILLER/DRAMATIC, Cast: FEMALE/MALE, Setting: BEDROOM
Pit Trap Meredith monologue Genre: DARK COMEDY/DRAMA, Cast: FEMALE (male/any gender), Setting: RIVERBANK
Purple Banana Nose, monologue Genre: DRAMATIC, Cast: MALE (female), Setting: POLICE STATION
Purring Sarcastically, monologue Genre: COMEDIC, Cast: FEMALE, Setting: HOME/CHRISTMASTIME
Second-Hand Dirt, monologue Genre: DRAMA/COMEDY/CHILDREN/TEEN, Cast: FEMALE/MALE, Setting: Garden
Seventeen Stitches, Rachel’s monologue Genre: DARK COMEDY/DRAMATIC, Cast: FEMALE (male), Setting: A vortex-like line
Single Crutch, monologue Genre: COMEDIC, Cast, MALE, Setting: OUTSIDE A HOUSE
She's So Ugly, monologue Genre: COMEDIC/DARK COMEDY/TEEN, Cast: FEMALE, Setting: BEDROOM
Still Standing Under the Mistletoe monologue Genre: COMEDIC/DRAMATIC, Cast, MALE, Setting: Christmas Party
Stone, Marsopa and The Fisherman, monologue Genre: DRAMATIC/TEEN/FANTASTICAL, Cast: FEMALE, Setting: The Sea
The Adventure of the Seed, a 5-minute monologue Genre: DRAMA, Cast: FEMALE, Setting: HOME
The Beanstalk, monologue Genre: COMEDIC/DRAMATIC, Cast: MALE, Setting: A GIANT BEANSTALK
The Best General Tso’s, monologue Genre: COMEDIC/DRAMATIC, Cast: FEMALE (male), Setting: KITCHEN, GLOBAL PANDEMIC
The Beautiful Bracelet, monologue Genre: TEEN/DRAMATIC, Cast: FEMALE, Setting Coffee shop
The Dog Toenail, monologue Genre: DARK COMEDY, Cast: MALE (female), Setting: A CAN FACTORY
The Plum-Colored Sweater, monologue Genre: COMEDIC/DRAMATIC, Cast: FEMALE, Setting: A CLOTHING STORE
The Statistics Aren’t Real, monologue Genre: COMEDIC/DRAMATIC/TEEN, Cast: MALE (female), Setting: A DYING FLOWER
This Heat In My Brain, monologue Genre: THRILLER/DRAMATIC/HORROR, Cast: MALE/FEMALE, Setting: AN ALLEY
Those Jimmy Choo Shoes, monologue Genre: COMEDY/DRAMA, Cast: FEMALE, Setting: PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE
Those 10th Grade Reps, monologue Genre: COMEDIC/TEEN, Cast: MALE, Setting: Outside a school
Tiramisu Vaping, monologue Genre: DARK COMEDY, Cast: FEMALE (Male), Setting: HOME
What I Did Before Bingo, 2.5 min version, monologue Genre: DARK COMEDY/DRAMA, Cast FEMALE (Male), Setting: LIVING ROOM
What I Did Before Bingo, 1 minute version, monologue Genre: DARK COMEDY/DRAMA, Cast FEMALE (Male), Setting: LIVING ROOM
What My Fangs Are For monologue Genre: DARK COMEDY/THRILLER/DRAMA/CHILDREN/TEEN, Cast: MALE/FEMALE, Setting: Back Yard
Where’s Your Hand, Chloe? monologue Genre: THRILLER/DRAMA/TEEN, Cast: FEMALE (male), Setting: Woods at night
Why That Walking Snowman Didn’t Like Me monologue Genre: COMEDY/5-MINUTE, Cast: FEMALE/TEEN/YOUNG ADULT, Setting: OUTSIDE/SNOWY

A DONUT DAYDREAM

Lulu is trying to study in the library, but the rigid pre-prom diet her mom has her on is causing her to dream of sugary, icing-rich donuts.

DETAILS
Genre: COMEDY/TEEN
Cast FEMALE
Setting: LIBRARY
Age Range: 15-18 years old
Running time: approximately 2.5 minutes long

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LULU

I’m dreaming of a donut. I’m that hungry. Like, literally, day dreaming about tasting one. Biting into one. I’m not sure which one I’d choose…Maybe the kind with chocolate icing on the outside and that creamy filling.  What are those called? Cream puffs? Not that but…they’re so good.  So rich.  I like that feeling of a little kind of explosion as my teeth hit the pastry.  And the filling just spills out into my mouth.  Or maybe I’d go for a glazed donut.  They’re simple. But we all know they’re the best, right?  The melted sugar.  The glaze.  That slight hint of a yeasty dough. I like to feel the glaze melt on my tongue.  Turn from icing into liquid.  You know you can really taste the sugar, so intense, right on the front of your tongue?  I really should be studying. I know that.  I have my books right here. But when you’re hungry…you know…it’s all you can think about.  I guess this is how those kids in Africa feel.  Those poor kids.  You know it’s my mom that made me skip lunch. She thinks—END OF EXCERPT.
Click below for the complete monologue of "A Donut Daydream."

A KLINGON IN LOVE

ARLEN is dressed up as a Klingon, head to toe, at a Star Trek Convention. He speaks to Trish, a woman who is wearing a Star Fleet officer uniform. He’s fallen head over Klingon heals for her and wants to tell the entire convention! He knows they come from opposite sides of the Star Trek world, but he implores with her to put aside their differences and to embrace their plot-line romance potential. He has hope for their story.

DETAILS
Genre: Comedy/drama, Star Trek / Trekkie / sci-fi monologue
Cast: MALE (female)
Setting:  A STAR TREK CONVENTION
Age Range: teen to 60s
Running time: Around 1.5 minutes

___________________

ARLEN

I know it seems crazy that a Klingon would fall for a star fleet commander, but…crazier things have happened on the Enterprise, right?  We’re not talking DS9 or Voyager here. We’re talking Gene Roddenberry, old school, Jim and Picard.  You remember Kirk and the green alien? Data searching for human emotions?  You know what I’m saying.  You get it.  Who cares if our blood’s different colors?  Who cares what the rest of them think.  We’re in love.  I wanna…I wanna tell Mr. Sulu selling $50 pictures over there—tell him about how you switched your phaser from Kill to Stun when you saw me. I wanna interrupt Dr. Crusher’s speech to tell the world how your hair smelled like apples when you leaned down to fix my mask. I wanna kiss you in a pile of tribbles for the whole convention to see!  We’re different—I know, I know.  You’re a communications officer—END OF EXCERPT
CLICK FOR ENTIRE A KLINGON IN LOVE MONOLOGUE. This monologue is free to download, but if you would like to support the playwright and her craft, you may do so below:

A LIFE SPURRED INTO MEANINGFUL ADVENTURE
Goldilocks’ Monologue
excerpted from the 10-minute play, A Life Spurred into Meaningful Adventure

About the play:
Goldilocks and Little Bear have run away from Little Bear’s house in the forest to start a new life together, one full of adventure and hope and away from judgmental eyes. However, they don’t quite know where they are going, how they will find their next meal, and Little Bear has never even made a shelter in the woods. Suddenly, the reality of two young friends on their own in the woods, does not seem as carefree as they once envisioned. To read the 10-minute play, A Life Spurred into Meaningful Adventure, click here.

About the monologue:
Goldilocks, the clear leader of the pair, confesses to Little Bear that, despite her apparent confidence, she actually does not know where they are going. As Little Bear appears to be having second thoughts, Goldilocks does not know if her dear friend deserves to have a life without loving parents, like the one she has been ill-fated to endure. She expresses her gratitude of their friendship, but gives him the freedom to return to his protective and loving family, as the adventure she is embarking on will not be easy.

DETAILS
Genre: DRAMA/TEEN/COMEDY/CHILDREN
Cast: FEMALE
Setting: A FOREST
Age range: 10-20

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GOLDILOCKS

I…I don’t know where we’re going…We know your parents don’t accept me in your house.  And…I don’t have much of a home to offer you. (pause) You can go back, Little Bear. If you want to.  I mean—I’d understand.  You have a family that loves you.  You’re not like me. And…I don’t want you to become like me. Bears—They’re—they’re not meant to sleep in beds. But—look, maybe I’m not meant to be scavenging a forest for berries, and yet—this is where I am.  And…this is my life.  This is my adventure…but it doesn’t have to be yours....END OF EXCERPT

Click below for Goldilocks’s complete monologue of “A Life Spurred into Meaningful Adventure.”

To read the complete 10-minute play, A Life Spurred into Meaningful Adventure click below:

A REALLY GOOD REASON

Kelly speaks to her “friend,” Rebecca, in a coffee shop. She explains why she can no longer be friends with her. It’s not because of the things Rebecca does which are unattractive or unintelligent (these things only make Kelly look better in comparison). It’s because Rebecca is starting to look prettier, and boys are noticing. Kelly simply can’t have a friend who rivals for attention. That just wouldn’t make sense.  Kelly lets her down as easily as she knows how.

DETAILS
Genre: COMEDY/TEEN/DRAMA
Cast: FEMALE
Setting: A coffee shop
Age range: 16-40
Running time: Approximately 1.5-2 minutes

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KELLY

There’s a really good reason I don’t like you.  And I think, look, Rebecca, just listen, I think if you heard me, if you really understood the reason, I think you’d agree with me.  And it’s not because you’re, y’know, “loose”—that’s a nice word I’m using because you know how considerate I am. I like a loose friend anyway because it makes me look like more of a catch. Same thing with how you forget to brush your teeth after you eat those egg salad sandwiches you always pack, or how you chew gum really loudly—and not in a sexy way, like I do. And how you say stupid things like, “Oh, those poor starving kids in Africa,” when really, there are a lot of rich people in South Africa who give tours of giraffes and stuff, so you really don’t know your geography. But that’s all cool with me, because your being those things just makes me look better.  Which makes you look better too, because you’re friends with me. I’m thoughtful like that. But, the thing is…And…oh, it’s so hard for me say… (pause) But really, it’s not.  (pause) You’re--END OF EXCERPT
Click below for the complete monologue, "A Really Good Reason."

A WASTE OF A TOTALLY GOOD JELLY BEAN

STEVEN, a boy (ages 5-15) speaks to his dad. Steven has just shared his Easter jelly beans with his dad who has gobbled up a handful of them all at once. Steven implores his dad to eat the jelly beans the “right” way.

DETAILS
Genre: COMEDY/CHILDREN'S/TEEN
Cast: MALE/FEMALE
Setting: A kitchen
Age range: 5-15 years old
Run time: 1 minute

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STEVEN

There is a wrong way. There's really a wrong way and you're doing it, Dad! You're doing it so wrong wrong wrong wrong! You're totally wasting them! You know how hard it was for me to get those? I mean, I waited all year...since last Easter. And—I—I—I don't mind sharing with you. Really. I like it when I can give you something that I really like and you like it too. But—this—this is just wrong, Dad. When someone gives you 20 jelly beans, and they're all different flavors like popcorn and chocolate pudding and blueberry, you don't just—you don't just shove them all in your mouth at once! Then you don't taste anything and it's just this giant blob of like, I don't know, sugary melted plastic or something. You gotta—END OF EXCERPT.
Click below for the complete monologue of "A Waste of a Totally Good Jelly Bean."

ANNOYING ALIEN

Having an alien ship land in Maleeha’s yard is not as cool as she thought it’d be. In fact, this nosy, noisy, hyperactive, slime-dripping alien is kind of annoying.

DETAILS:
Genre: Comedic/children/tween/teen
Running time: Approximately 1-1.5 minutes (depending on performance)
Cast: Any gender
Age range: any age child through tween or teen
Setting: Maleeha’s bedroom
Time period: contemporary

MALEEHA

Oh, my gosh, Alien, stop being so annoying! Movies make you seem so much cooler than you actually are. You’re supposed to be cute or save my life or make me popular in school or something! But no one is gonna wanna hang out with me if you keep running around like a 2-year-old and making that weird sound all the time! It’s like you’re constantly chewing something gross with your mouth open. (Maleeha sees the alien dripping slime into her bureau drawers.) Can you please stop going through my stuff? You’re getting orange slime on my clothes and—ew! Are you eating my—stop eating my science project! I have to—END OF EXCERPT
CLICK BELOW for the complete 1-1.5 minute children’s monologue, ANNOYING ALIEN.

ABHAY AND THE BANANA
Extracted from the play For My Silent Sisters

Abhay has lived on the harsh streets of Mumbai before being “taken in” by a brothel owner who is grooming Abhay to enter the field. Abhay is a teenager now, and it has been years since he had any kind of home or regular meals at all. Yet he's conflicted as he learns he has moved from one horrific circumstance to another. Abhay relives, to the audience, the moment he loses his mother and home, and what that means to him and his baby sister.

DETAILS
Genre: DRAMA
Cast: MALE (female)
Setting: MUMBAI, INDIA , a brothel
Age Range: 12-25

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ABHAY

I’ve had two people I loved. And two people who’ve died. I never met my dad, if you can call him that. Some man that got my mom pregnant. A different guy got her pregnant again two years later and gave me my sister. I never met him either but I owe him—‘cause he gave me Purnima. (pause) My mom was always warm, right up until the end. Always kissing my forehead, stroking my cheek with her hand, calling me “baby,” when she was just a kid herself. She had me when she was 14. She wore dark purple nail polish. It almost looked black. I liked the smell of it, like strawberry. Her bracelets would jingle when she hugged me and she told me I gave her the best hugs in the world. I believe it too because she was surrounded by some real bad people. (pause) She never even got to turn 20. She died of tuberculosis when she was 18. My baby sister was two. We got no family, no friends that would stick around and raise two bastard kids. Only took a day before some crazy men took over the hut she’d somehow managed to get for us. They said it was theirs. But I knew they were thieves, but I’m four so what can I do. One guy throws me a banana as he kicks me out. I ask him for another one. I got a baby sister, I tell him. He sorta laughs—END OF EXCERPT
Click for the entire free monologue, "Abhay and the Banana."

This monologue is free to download, but if you would like to support the playwright and her craft, you may do so below:

To purchase the play, For My Silent Sisters, from which this monologue is extracted, click below:

BABY ANTS IN A PIE

ROBIN is in the kitchen with her friend, Gabe.  She offers him some of the apple pie that has been sitting in the window sill for a week now, as she has been savoring it. As she gets it out, she notices something unusual. There are ants in the pie! This initially grosses her out, but she soon finds sympathy for the idea that there are helpless baby ants in the pie.

DETAILS
Genre: COMEDY
Cast FEMALE (male)
Setting: KITCHEN
Age Range: 10-60 years old
Running time: approximately 1.5-2 minutes long

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ROBIN

There are ants in the—oh, gross—oh, gross—there are ants in the pie! Ew ew ew! Squish them--quick!  Wait--is that a queen in it? Is that possible?  It looks like it has wings. That would mean, I guess, that would mean they must have their nest there, or their hill or farm, whatever it’s called…They must have made the pie their home. And…I already ate a piece—and I don’t even know if I regret it yet because it was really amazing apple pie, but that also means…I probably ate some…ants…and maybe some…baby ants…if the queen just hatched them.  Are baby ants like worms? Or just tiny looking ants?  Oh, I really don’t know anything about ants.  But I do know that I do not want to eat them, and I definitely don’t want to eat a baby ant. I mean…look, ants are gross. Really, just all bugs are gross.  Except maybe…butterflies—but otherwise, yuck, right?  But a baby…I mean, a baby can’t help it if it was born in an apple pie. A baby is—END OF EXCERPT. 
Click below for the complete monologue of "Baby Ants in a Pie"-

If you'd like to use this monologue, contact Tara for permission.

CLAIRE, MY ECLAIR

ANDRES, a boy around 16 years old, talks to his ex-girlfriend, Claire. He begs her for forgiveness in stealing from her father, and pleads that she consider how his actions were always for the benefit of their relationship.

DETAILS
Genre: COMEDIC/DRAMATIC/TEEN monologue
Cast: MALE
Setting: Outside of a school
Age Range: 13-20
Running time: approximately 1 minute long

_________________

ANDRES

Claire, Claire—my éclair…My chocolatey, sweet treat, my—okay, okay! I’ll stop!  Don’t leave!  I won’t call you that. I guess—I don’t deserve to call you that, do I? You’re not my—you’re not my éclair now. Not anymore. I’m just—if you’re sweet then I’m, I’m a—a—a—a Tylenol, like when you chew it up. All bitter and gross. That’s me. I know it, Claire. I’m a gross chewed up Tylenol, and you don’t deserve that. Why would you talk to me? Why would you even look at me after what I did? (pause) But you do look at me. And that’s just because—that’s just because you’re so perfect. You’re like, the most incredible person in the world, and I was so lucky for those two months to be part of such an incredible person’s life.
(pause) And, I want you to know, I mean, I hope you already do—but…I know I messed up.  You trusted me—END OF EXCERPT.
Click for complete free monologue of Claire, My Eclair.

This monologue is free to download, but if you would like to support the playwright and her craft, you may do so below:

CLIPPERS
a dramatic teen/young adult monologue from the one-act play, Seventeen Stitches

About the play, Seventeen Stitches:
In this one-act dark comedy/thriller, teens Rachel and Peter meet in a vortex-like space between opposing lines of people. While Rachel is confidently passing the time before she returns to place in her line, Peter has stepped out of his line in protest. As the lines begin to close in on them, he must make a life-altering decision by choosing to continue forging his path in his father’s line, or join the haunting allure of Rachel’s line, the “line of diamonds.

About the monologue, Clippers:
Peter speaks to a girl, Rachel, who waits for her turn in an ominous line in in the same abyss-like space as Peter. While she is encouraged by words from her father, Peter has severed ties to his father after he feels his father abandoned him. He shares how a bully had once attacked him in order to steal his bike. When Peter’s father came to his rescue, instead of punishing the bully, he told the bully to take the bike. Peter’s father was never able to afford another bike, and without that bike, Peter has not been able to get away from people or things ever since—until now. Peter holds onto his resentment that his father would not seek revenge on the bully for him.

DETAILS
From the one-act play, Seventeen Stitches.
Genre: Dark Comedy/Thriller/Teen/Drama
Cast: Male (female)
Age range: 12-20
Setting: A waiting area in an abyss
Running time: Approximately 2 minutes
Good for: teen monologue, dramatic monologue, monologue from a play, parent/child relationship, revenge, forgiveness, loyalties, metaphoric

EXCERPT BELOW

______________________

PETER

One summer my father gave me a bike for my birthday. I rode it everywhere—for five days. I was so happy to be able to finally get away from things and people and… A bike is fast for a kid, y’know? (pause) Then this kid down the street, Jeff Oakland, saw me with it and said he wanted it. He was a lot bigger than me, maybe 2 years older. He had garden clippers from his mom’s greenhouse and that day, he came at me with them. I put the kickstand down and told him to leave me alone. I was right outside my parents’ house, so I figured nothing could happen to me. I was safe, right? But he kept coming closer with the garden clippers and telling me to get off the bike. When I didn’t, he grabbed my right leg and held it while he dug the clippers into my leg. The blood got all over the right pedal and on the lightning decals my dad put on it. But I wouldn’t get off the bike. When he went to my left leg with the clippers, I started screaming. I yelled that my dad was gonna come out, so he better leave me alone. But when my dad did come out, when he finally came out… He—END OF EXCERPT

Click below for the complete digital 2-minute monologue, Clippers, from the one-act play Seventeen Stitches.

Click below to learn more about Peter and to read the complete one-act play, Seventeen Stitches, from which this monologue comes:

CLOUDLILY THE UNICORN & ZOEY
a comedy

CloudLily, a rainbow unicorn, looooves all the “thoughtful” gifts her young admirer, Zoey, brings her every day in the magical forest. Sure, weeds and clumps of dirt are nice, since they’re given with the pure heart of a 4-year-old. But… CloudLily thinks it’s time she can put in a request for a gift that’s a little more…well…yummy.

DETAILS 
Genre: Comedy, fantasy
Cast: Female/male/any gender                                      
Age range: children through adult
Setting: magical forest
Time period: Present
Running time: Approximately 30 seconds-1 minute

CLOUDLILY

(to Zoey, a girl of around 4)               

Zoey. I love the dandelions and clovers and…clumps of dirt you keep bringing me every day. They’re all really cool and special and I know it’s super fun watching my magical unicorn horn turn them into rainbow colors and make them dance and stuff like that.

But I hear——END OF EXCERPT
Click here to for the complete free monologue, Cloudlily The Unicorn & Zoey. The monologue is free to download, but if you would like to support the playwright and her craft, you may do so below:

COVERING MY EARS

Whitney is in the bathroom, envisioning the calmness, peace and escape covering her ears in the shower gives her, before the abrupt harshness of reality comes when she uncovers her ears.

DETAILS
Genre: DRAMATIC/CHILDREN/TEEN monologue
Cast: FEMALE/MALE
Setting: A bathroom
Age Range: 12-70+
Running time: approximately 2 minutes long (varies depending on performance)

____________________

WHITNEY

I cover my ears in the shower. I stand there—letting the water drip down my hair, my back. I turn into it. It flows down my face. It’s loud. Not like thunder. It’s…it’s…peaceful. Like…I’m swimming under water, in a lake, it’s dark and the rain is pouring down. It’s loud under water. But it’s quiet. Muffled.  Calm. There are no problems under water. There is no yelling. No hurt. No pain. Everything is erased. And no one knows me.  What I’ve done. What’s been done to me. I’m nothing under the water. And nothing is…freeing. To me. (pause)  I uncover my ears. (pause) I have to. I know I can’t stand like this forever. (pause) And when I do--END OF EXCERPT.
Click below for the complete monologue of "Covering My Ears"

DON’T CLOSE THE DOORS

Abigail, a ghost in Stephanie’s closet, is sorry she must use her limited powers to freeze Stephanie in place, but what she must share with Stephanie is so dire that sometimes these things must be done. While at first, it appears Abigail’s ominous presence is a threat to Stephanie, 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.

DETAILS:
Genre: Thriller/drama
Age range: 20s-40s
Cast: Female
Time period: Contemporary
Setting: A bedroom closet in an old house/apartment building
Running time: Approximately 10 minutes

To read a free excerpt of Don’t Close the Doors, click here.
CLICK below for a complete digital copy of Don’t Close the Doors by Tara Meddaugh

ENGULF THE EVIL ASHES
A monologue from the play, For My Silent Sisters

*Note that this monologue contains content referencing human trafficking and violence.

About the monologue: After her dear friend, Tasaria, has been killed trying to escape a “training camp” for forced prostitution, Marta is punished by association. She is placed in the ground, simulating being buried alive. Though grieving, her rage and determination give her strength, and Marta comes up with a plan for her own freedom. She hides sticks from the outdoors and brings them with her when she is placed in an isolated room inside. During the course of a few hours, she is able to start a fire and begin burning down the old wooden building. While the building goes up in flames and smoke, Marta only smells freedom.

About the play, FOR MY SILENT SISTERS: Set in the countries of Cambodia, Romania, India and the United States, four teenagers struggle to escape the dark underworld of child sex trafficking.  Jorani has been sold to a brothel in payment for her sister’s gambling debt, and her Buddhist upbringing is put to the test.  Marta seeks a new life as a translator in England, but after finding her “employer” has vastly different plans for her, she must risk her own life to save another.  After a fight with her father, Claire meets an older man whom she starts to fall for—but whose manipulation over her brings on severe consequences. Abhay, living on the streets of Mumbai, finds employment at a brothel and must decide if the “good life” is worth the atrocities.  While living in four different parts of the world, their lives are intertwined, and their support of each other binds this connection.  This drama shines light on the real horrors that occur all over the world, and the hope and faith that allow children to survive.

MONOLOGUE DETAILS:
Genre: Drama/Teen
Cast: Female
Age range: teen through adult
Setting: Forced prostitution “training camp” in Albania
Time period: Contemporary
Running time: around 2.5 minutes
*Note that this monologue contains content referencing human trafficking and violence.
Good for: social justice issues, powerful monologue for teens, awareness of human trafficking, discussion, conversation for change, empowerment, strong female voice

____________

MARTA (out)

My ashes engulf the evil ashes…I do it for her. For us. For my silent sisters.  (pause) As they fill my mouth, my lungs with dirt, sticks poking at my beaten skin, I grab one. I grab two. They’re small. Not even bigger than the palm of my hand, but I grasp them through the powdery dirt. If this is not the end for me, I will do justice for Tasaria and I will take these sticks with me. I’m naked, so I put the sticks the only place I can hide them. (pause) When they let me back in, they make their mistake. They don’t burn me too or search my naked body. They put me in a room. By myself. They think that seeing my best friend burned to death, feeling myself be buried alive for hours, and now sticking me solitary confinement—this will be punishment enough. This will break me. This will end my resistance. But it doesn’t. And I am not by myself in here. I have two sticks. (pause) I take out my sticks and I blow on them until I feel dizzy, waving my hands over them to dry them completely. It’s dark, but I don’t need light. My mind rushes back to when my brothers and sisters and I would camp in the woods behind our house. My father made us start a fire on our own, no matches. In the wild, we would not have matches, he’d say. We’d race to see who could start their fire first. I never won, but I never gave up and my fire would eventually burn as brightly as any of my brothers’. When my sticks are dry, I feel for the other thing they left in this room with me. My hair. I grab a fistful of dirty hair and I pull. END OF EXCERPT

Click below for the entire digital copy of the monologue, Engulf The Evil Ashes by Tara Meddaugh:

To learn more about Marta and her story, check out the play, For My Silent Sisters. You can find information about the play here, or click below for a digital copy of the entire play.

 F FOR FRIENDSHIP

Michelle is having a casual conversation with fellow mean girl, Alicia. Alicia has complimented Michelle’s nails and shoes, but for some reason, Michelle isn’t buying it. She’s not buying it because Michelle has just beaten up Alicia and Michelle is now holding a gun. Michelle is sick of Alicia’s back-stabbing and the way she treats other people and she has been trying to purge the high school of mean girls, just like Alicia.

DETAILS
Genre: dark comedy/dramatic/thriller/teen monologue
Age range: teen-young adult
Running time: approximately 1 minute

*Contains mature language in the pdf purchase of monologue, although substitutions are also included as an alternative. For the website excerpt, only the substitutions are written (no mature language)

_____________________________

MICHELLE

Now you’ll talk to me, right? Now you’ll smile…and tell me you like my shoes and My God, did I do my nails myself because they’re so perfect?  (pause) You little back-stabbing snob.(pause) Your voice is a little shaky, you see. So I don’t know if I should believe you.  (playing with gun) Because my nails are actually chipping, Alicia.  See?—END OF EXCERPT
For the complete 1-minute monologue, F For Friendship, click below:

FERRET ENVY

After murdering her friend’s ferret, Jyoti, wrought with guilt, tries to make some form of amends. Perhaps she could take over the role as ferret of the house. But this hopeful suggestion seems to unnerve her friend, and devastated Jyoti decides to follow the plight of the ferret.

DETAILS
Genre: DARK COMEDY
Cast FEMALE (male)
Setting: APARTMENT
Age range: teen through adult
Running time: Approximately 2.5 minutes

___________________________

JYOTI

I know you think I murdered your ferret, but—hey, stop crying.  You’re gonna make me cry too.  And you (starts crying)—know—happens—when—we—both—start—oh!  I’m doing it too now…(gaining composure) Okay.  Okay.  What would Hermione do? (pause) Julia, your ferret ran away.  He did.  I know you don’t want to believe me, but I know this, because…well, I saw him.  And I was wearing my glasses, so I had 20/20.  Or 20/30.  I need a new prescription.  But I could still see it was Foozu, and he was wearing the yellow rain slicker, not the winter coat you tie dyed for him, so I think he was headed for Seattle. (pause) And, I don’t think we should go after him, Julia.  That Payless box wasn’t big enough; you always forgot to feed him, and when you did, it was usually just pebbles and sticks—and I really don’t think ferrets can live on that.  Seattle has a lot more to offer Foozu.  Food, drinks, warm shelter, intellectual stimulation, perpetual contentment.  He deserves that, don’t you think? (pause) I, I know coming in and seeing me with the knife over Foozu’s box makes it look rather strange.  But…Well—END OF EXCERPT
Click below for the entire digital copy of the monologue, Ferret Envy.

FINGERNAIL HEART

Emily is horrified that her ex-boyfriend has thrown to the ground the precious gift she’s given him. A bit at a breaking point, she implores him to see all the love and effort that went into crafting her gift: a fingernail heart (yes…a fingernail heart). She urges him to see their love like the muddied fingernail heart metaphor and give them another chance…But…it seems he’s only backing away…

DETAILS
Genre: Dark comedy/comedy/drama
Cast: Female
Age range: 18-40s
Setting: Outside Erik’s house
Time period: Contemporary
Running time: Approximately 1.5 - 2 minutes
Good for: monologue about scorned love, breaking point, lost love, absurd, weird, desperate, love, desperate love

____________________ 

EMILY

(to her ex-boyfriend. She is horrified at something on the ground) I can’t believe you just threw it on the ground! (pause) I collected your fingernails from the bathroom trash for 9 months, Erik. Nine months of sifting through tissues during Allergy Season and Bandaids when you had that wart—I know it sounds gross, but love can be dirty sometimes, and I’m willing to, you know, get down in the grime because…I love you, Erik! That should mean something to you. (pause) And… (picks up a heart shape object made from fingernails) This fingernail heart should mean something to you too. I crafted it with...well…with my own heart. (pause) And some ideas from Pinterest. (pause) And a few of my own fingernails I threw in, because love is about two people becoming one. (pause) I know you said you never want to see me again, but that was before I gave you this fingernail heart. And—don’t say it now—don’t—END OF EXCERPT
Click below for the complete monologue, Fingernail Heart, by Tara Meddaugh.

FORBIDDEN IN THE ELF MANUAL
A monologue from GRINCHING 101

About the play, GRINCHING 101:
Grinch professors, Sourpuss Fuddy Duddy and Killjoy Cactus Snarl, are pleased to find their Grinching 101 classroom filled with eager elf-students desiring to learn the art of becoming a grinch. However, the class of bright-eyed cheerful students are blatantly failing. Every. Single. Lesson. Are the elves really that dull? Are they actually trying? Or is there some other reason they’re all in this class…? And is there anything, like, anything at all, that maybe…just maybe… the grinches can learn from the sugar-loving, compliment-spewing elves?
For the complete play, Grinching 101, click here.

About the monologue, Forbidden in the Elf Manual:
The Grinching 101 professors have expressed frustration in their inept class of elves and wonder why they are even enrolled in the course. Tootsie Frosted Cookie Stockings explains his reasoning for signing up for Grinching 101: It’s all about the videogames.

DETAILS:
Genre: Comedic/Children/Teen/Christmas
Running time: Approximately 1 minute
Cast: Male (or any gender)
Age range: Any age
Setting: A Grinching 101 Classroom at the North Pole
Time period: contemporary

EXCERPT BELOW:

TOOTSIE FROSTED COOKIE STOCKINGS 

(clarifying name for the Grinching Professors who hate hearing the elves’ long ridiculous sugary names) It’s Tootsie Frosted Cookie Stockings. And the reason I came here today—the reason I thought I might actually be a bit of a grinch inside is that…well…I know this is going to terrify everyone, so brace yourself. But… (ELVES lean in) I hate making snowballs. (ELVES gasp) And sledding. (ELVES gasp) And frolicking in the snow at all really. I mostly just wanna play videogames. And not like, “Fill Santa’s Sleigh” videogames. I’ve—END OF EXCERPT
Click here for the free monologue, Forbidden in the Elf Manual. This monologue is free to download, but if you would like to support the playwright and her craft, you may do so below:

For the complete play, GRINCHING 101, from which this monologue comes, click below:

FORGIVENESS AND DEFEAT AT A POKEMON GYM
Genre: COMEDY/TEEN/CHILDREN'S
Cast: MALE (female)
Setting: In a parking lot of a grocery store. Late at night.
Age range: 12-30 years old
Running time: Approxmiately 1 to 1.5 minutes
Description: Benjamin, a boy of around 16 years old, is at a Stop and Shop grocery store parking lot, around midnight. He is speaking with his long time friend (and probably crush), Evie, who is quite angry with him.  Unknowingly, he has defeated her pokemon gym, and now he needs to prove he would never battle with her on purpose...but is it too late?

 _____________________

BENJAMIN

I know you’re mad—I just saw your post of that face with the flames coming out of its head, and I’m just—aw, Evie, I know it looks bad.  I know you won’t believe me, but listen, it’s not, it’s just, it’s not what it looks like. (pause) How was I supposed to know it was you?  You’re a—you’re a girl with really long hair, but your avatar looks kind of like a boy with short hair.   Which is fine, but I mean, right there, that should show you I’m innocent.  And—I never would have thought you’d choose yellow.  Your favorite color is blue—it’s always been blue…like your eyes…And look at your bike, Evie—it’s blue too.  It still has those butterfly decals you put on when you were nine.  I put on the lightning bolts (pause) I know there isn’t much I can do now—END OF EXCERPT.
Click below for the complete monologue of "Forgiveness and Defeat at a Pokemon Gym."

FRESHLY SQUEEZED
A monologue from the 10-minute play, Ruth and Harry & the Dinner Party
(This 10-minute play is part of a collection of shorts from The Victory Garden Plays)

About the 10-minute play, Ruth and Harry & The Dinner Party:
While preparing for a dinner party, Ruth reveals a well-kept secret to her husband, which jeopardizes their future as a family.

About the monologue, Freshly Squeezed:
While Ruth prepares the dining table for a small dinner party, her husband, Harry, enjoys a glass of her fresh lemonade. He compliments her refreshment and she explains to him the burden of excelling at so much, yet managing to remain kind despite the jealousies of others.

DETAILS
Cast: Female
Age range: Teen-adult
Genre: Comedy
Running time: Approximately 1.5 minutes
Setting: A dining room/kitchen, 1940s

____________________________________

RUTH

It’s freshly squeezed. That’s the difference. That’s what you’re tasting. You can’t compare anything really to homemade lemonade from homegrown lemons. It takes an awful lot of care, Harry. They’re not natural to this region. I’ve really garnered a green thumb these past few years. Everyone on Halstead knows my garden is the most plentiful. Now, that’s not bragging, Harry. You’d know I’d never brag. I’m not crass like Betty with that perfumed hair at church and muttering those cuss words in the powder room. It’s just the truth and if I can’t speak the truth to my own husband, who can I? (pause) Some of the girls are resentful though. It comes with the territory of being the best at anything, shame as it is. I’ve encountered—END OF EXCERPT
Click here for the free monologue, Freshly Squeezed.

This monologue is free to download, but if you would like to support the playwright and her craft, you may do so below:

Click below for the entire 10-minute play, Ruth and Harry & The Dinner Party, from which Freshly Squeezed comes.

 FROG BAND-AID
A monologue from the full-length play, Free Space

Amelia’s excitement over her new connection with Ricky is diminished when she realizes she may end up hurting him, as she once hurt a frog she stepped on and directed toward a road. She vows she will act wiser with Ricky than the frog, but the domineering talking bingo chip she keeps in her pocket dashes her hope; it threatens Ricky and demands that she focus only on planning their special Bingo Event. Amelia defends her budding relationship with Ricky, but when the bingo chip begins to leave her alone, she concedes, saying she will put her friendship with Ricky on hold and work on the Bingo Night posters with the chip.

ABOUT THE PLAY, Free Space:
Amelia spends her days under the watchful eye of her mother, doing the same nothing she has done for years. Yet when Bingo arrives at her local community center, a talking Bingo chip convinces Amelia that forming her own game is the way out of this life and away from her controlling mother. However, as her mother begins acting like her newly arrived sister, and the chip becomes increasingly dominating, Amelia discovers her new life is nothing as she imagined. To get the full play, visit here.

SETTING THE SCENE FOR THE MONOLOGUE, Frog Band-Aid:
Amelia is thrilled when the boy she connects with, Ricky, gives her a tour of the cannery where he works. During the tour, she mentions she wishes to run her own life-changing Bingo Game, but has not been able to find a space to hold the event. Ricky offers to host the bingo game at the cannery warehouse. They are excited as they begin to make plans together for the game, as well as to visit a pet shop together. After Amelia leaves the cannery, she speaks to the mysterious Bingo Chip in her pocket which has become increasingly demanding.

MONOLOGUE DETAILS
Cast: Female (or male)
Age range: teen-adult
Genre: Dark Comedy/Drama/Absurd
Running time: Approximately 3 minutes
Setting: Outside, path walking to her home

EXCERPT below:

__________________________________ 

AMELIA

(to a bingo chip) He wants to show me an albino frog!  I— (pause) Oh, you’re right.  I guess I don’t know how to act in a place like a pet shop.  With Ricky.  And around all those frogs.  I wouldn’t want to hurt them, but sometimes I do things I don’t mean to.  And Ricky said that’s not my fault.  (pause) But I did step on a frog once and—I think I broke his paw.  Or his leg.  But I didn’t kill him, and I even took off the Band-Aid I had on my own knee and put it on the frog’s little leg.  I wish it’d had a picture on it.  Maybe a picture of a mouse.  Or a ‘possum.  He would have looked cute with a ‘possum Band-Aid on him.  But it was just a brown one.  Plain.  So then I sort of—pointed him toward the road and gave him a little push, to help him get started on his way…And I knew even as I pushed him, I was directing him toward that road.  And I don’t know why I did that, because I knew he was going to get hit by a car.  Maybe I wanted to see if the Band-Aid would save him, if he’d escape from under a car…But he didn’t…maybe he escaped from something else though…  (looks down at chip) No, I wouldn’t!  I wouldn’t do that at the pet shop!  I don’t want to push any more frogs in that direction.  I’ll just go with Ricky and he can help me— END OF EXCERPT MONOLOGUE

Click below to get the entire monologue, Frog Band-Aid. To learn more about Amelia and Free Space, from which this monologue comes, click here.

For the complete full-length play, Free Space, from which the monologue, Frog Band-Aid comes, click below:

 GROWING UP ON THE WRONG SIDE OF BINGO
A monologue from the full-length play, Free Space

About the play, Free Space:
Amelia spends her days under the watchful eye of her mother, doing the same nothing she has done for years. Yet when Bingo arrives at her local community center, a talking Bingo chip convinces Amelia that forming her own game is the way out of this life and away from her controlling mother. However, as her mother begins acting like her newly arrived sister, and the chip becomes increasingly dominating, Amelia discovers her new life is nothing as she imagined. Learn more about the play here.

About the monologue, Growing Up on the Wrong Side of Bingo, extracted from the play, Free Space:
Amelia has just been fired from her volunteer position helping out with Bingo at the local community center, due to refusing to leave the center and jabbing Diane, the Community Center Director, with a bingo chip. It is now late at night and she is outside Diane’s home. She begs for her job back and explains how important Bingo is in her life.

DETAILS
Cast: Female (or male)
Age range: teen-adult
Genre: Dark Comedy/Drama/Absurd
Running time: Approximately 1 ½ to 2 minutes
Setting: A front lawn outside a house, nighttime

____________________

AMELIA

No, wait!  Okay, I’m ready to talk. (pause) Okay. I just wanted to say that, well, I haven’t done a lot of stuff or anything since High School ended. I just sort of stay at home with my mom and, I don’t really do a lot of activities like a lot of girls do. But I’ve been waiting for Bingo to come here for all my life. I mean, I didn’t really know it was Bingo I was waiting for, but I knew there must be—something more…And when I saw that poster you made—When I saw the pictures of those solid square spaces—all so perfectly in line with each other, and when I stopped by the Center for the first time last week… and I heard all those jumbled up balls, racing through their metal cage, all trying to be the special one chosen to be…well, I knew then my Thursdays would never be the same. Because—Because I know what it’s like to grow up on the wrong side of Bingo, on the wrong end of chance, of luck. You know? I was so—END OF EXCERPT
Click for a complete free digital copy of the monologue, Growing Up on the Wrong Side of Bingo.

This monologue is free to download, but if you would like to support the playwright and her craft, you may do so below:

To learn more about Amelia and her story, check out the full-length play, Free Space!

READ THE FULL PLAY, FREE SPACE, DIGITAL COPY
Click below for a digital copy of the complete play, Free Space

READ THE FULL PLAY, FREE SPACE, HARD COPY
Click below for a hard copy version on Amazon of the full-length play, Free Space.

HAIRCUTS FOR HANNAH

EMMA is talking to a group of her dance friends. She feels bad for a girl in their class who is not as stylish as they are and comes up with a novel way to make her feel included.

DETAILS:
Genre: Comedy/Teen
Running time: Around 30 seconds-1 minute
Cast: Female
Age range: tween/teen
Setting: outside a dance studio
Time period: Contemporary

____________________

EMMA

She’s so plain, but super sweet. I feel so bad. Everyone’s look is so on point in dance class and then there’s Hannah. Hand-me-down tights and oh, did you hear? She said her mom cuts her hair! It’s way too short for her face, and I would know because I took an online quiz and it said I was practically a professional stylist! Also an empath. And it’s like—END OF EXCERPT
Click below for the complete 30-45 second monologue. Please note: This is an adapted/edited 30-60 second version of the monologue, She’s So Ugly.

HEAD TO TOE
A comedic/dramatic monologue

Sydney is on a first date. A blind date. And a zoom date during the covid-19 lockdown. Needless to say, she’s nervous—but also excited to possibly form a new human connection. And during this date…her cat pees on the floor. Is her cat seeking attention, since he’s been the only one to get her affection for 8 weeks? And will her date wait for her while she cleans up the mess?

DETAILS
Genre: Comedy/Drama, rom-com
Running time: Approximately 2-3 minutes
Cast: Female (Male/any gender)
Age range: Teen-adult
Setting: kitchen/zoom
Time period: Spring 2020

SYDNEY

(speaks to her blind date on zoom) Do you mind if I put on my weighted blanket? I know it’s not—it’s not a typical date thing to do, but, I’ve never had a zoom date before and nothing is really typical right now so…I hope you don’t mind? (wraps her blanket around her shoulders) It makes me feel… I don’t know, cozy? It was the first thing I bought when we went into this quarantine. I had $200 in my bank account, but I was like, if I’m gonna be alone with no one but my cat, I am getting a weighted blanket.  (pause) You look really nice—I like that you’re wearing a suit. It’s cute you got dressed up. I really—(hears her cat peeing on the floor behind her) Oh—(to her cat, behind her) No, you did not! Barney! Barney, no! You did NOT just pee on my—Barney—get back here! (back to the zoom) I’m sorry—I’m—Look—I— Can you hold on a minute? You don’t have to go—don’t go. Not yet—I mean, I just have to—I have to clean this up, but you can stay on. Stay on…Please…Don’t go. (looks at screen and smiles, relieved he will not go) Okay, I’m just gonna get a wipe. One sec. (off screen) Barney can be a pain but…he’s the only living thing I’ve touched in 8 weeks—END OF EXCERPT. Click below to download the entire monologue, HEAD TO TOE.

I AM A SHARK

Jaime is standing at a beach when confronted by a group of bullies who push him into the sand. He imagines he is a shark who is tough and can feel no pain.

DETAILS:
Genre: Drama/Children/Teen
Running time: Approximately 2 minutes
Cast: Male/Female, 10 years and up
Setting: A beach

_____________

JAMIE

Sometimes, when I stand on the beach and look out at the ocean, I imagine I’m a shark.  My feet are hot, so hot they’re burning.  Burning so much, I start to not feel the pain anymore.  I take several deep breaths, and I breathe out the heat through my nose.  I can feel it leaving me.  My feet are tingling.  A little numb.  But I feel no pain.  I am a shark.  I’m swimming through the water and you can cut me with your knives, but my skin is hard and I am tough.  And I feel no pain.  A boy, this boy I know, but wish I didn’t, runs out of the ocean and past me.  I feel the cold water he’s brought in on my legs.  He’s tossed sand on me too and it’s sticking to me.  I reach my hand down to feel the roughness on my legs.  It’s like sandpaper.  His friend runs out of the water too, chasing him, and he bumps into me.  Pushes past me—END OF EXCERPT
CLICK FOR THE COMPLETE FREE I AM A SHARK MONOLOGUE.

This monologue is free to download, but if you would like to support the playwright and her craft, you may do so below:

IOWA IS GONNA BE SO JEALOUS

RYAN is on a South African safari with his parents and speaks to them. He is in the safari jeep. A camping pack has just fallen off the jeep and a rhino charged at it while the jeep was driving. This entire trip has been filled with so many challenges (not much water, formal meals and now this rhino charging!) that it has been the most awesome adventure ever!

DETAILS
Genre: COMEDIC/TEEN/CHILDREN
Cast: MALE/FEMALE
Setting: SAFARI JEEP
Age range: 5-18
Running time: Approximately 1 - 1.5 minutes

_____________________

RYAN

Did you see it? Did you see him charge? Like—I’ve—he charged, Mom!  Dad—did you see him charge? That’s—you know rhinos can’t really see well? Did you know that? I mean, they charge before they even know what they’re charging at and—that could have been us! You know? It was just the tent pack that fell off the jeep, but—man…It could have been us! (pause) This is the best trip ever!! (quick pause) First, there’s no hot water at the camp during the day so, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but you haven’t made me take a shower since Thursday!  And remember how the camp kitchen wasn’t working yesterday so we got to have Lucky Charms and popcorn at dinner?  Plus, when you guys fell asleep last night, I played on my Kindle for 4 hours and got to level 5 in Geometry Dash Meltdown!  I knew a safari would be cool. I mean—END OF EXCERPT
Click for pdf of complete monologue, Iowa Is Gonna Be So Jealous.

This monologue is free to download, but if you would like to support the playwright and her craft, you may do so below:

IPAD FURY

JUSTIN is sitting in the driver’s side of his mom’s minivan. The keys are in the ignition, the doors are locked. The window is open about 1 inch. Justin’s mom is standing next to the driver’s side of the car, locked out. And things are going to stay this way. Until she gives him back his ipad.

DETAILS
Genre: COMEDY/CHILDREN'S/TENN
Cast MALE/FEMALE
Setting: A MINIVAN
Age range: 7-15 years old
Running time: approximately 1 minute long

__________________

JUSTIN

Just because I’m not a teenager yet doesn’t mean I can’t drive a car. You think I won’t do it?  I might not be good at it, but remember how long it took me to tie my shoes? I had those laces in knots no one knew what to do with, for years, but I didn’t stop. I just kept practicing. You say it’s good to be a hard worker.  Well, my strength is also my weakness, I guess.  Look at how that came to bite you, Mom. Because you know all it would take is for me to put this Sienna in reverse. Just back it out of the driveway nice and slow or maybe not nice and slow. Maybe fast and furious or whatever—END OF EXCERPT
CLICK BELOW FOR THE COMPLETE MONOLOGUE OF "IPAD FURY."

LIVVY'S VASE
Adapted from the 10-minute play, Holding Ginger

Jenna is standing in the hallway of her house.  She implores her older sister, Livvy, to forgive her for breaking a special vase from a boy. Jenna wonders if she will ever get flowers and a special vase like her sister.

DETAILS
Genre: DRAMATIC
Cast: FEMALE (male)
Setting: HOUSE
Age range: 5-14 years old

____________

JENNA

Uh oh…uh oh…I’m sorry!  I’m so...I’ll clean it up! Right now!  I’ll—I didn’t do it on purpose. You know that, right?  It was an accident! I was just running through—I know I’m not supposed to be running through the hall, but…Ginger was chasing that ball and I was trying to catch him…Come on.  I’m sorry.  Okay?  I just bumped into it by accident…I’m cleaning it up, see?  Even though Mom would probably be mad I’m touching glass like this and you’re not helping even though you’re older than I am.  But look—I’m doing it!  I’m really sorry, Livvy.   You’ve had that vase for…I don’t know…when did that boy give it to you?  You were…were you my age?  Maybe older.  No boy has given me flowers yet—END OF EXCERPT
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LOCKING THE STORE
From the one-act play, Poorly Wrapped

Clark is a young man in his late teens or twenties. He is the sales clerk at a gift shop on a small isolated island. Grace, a beautiful customer, has convinced him to give her a free disposable camera, and to wrap it with a roll of wrapping paper from his store. He is smitten with her, beyond rational thought, and does what she asks. He has been wrapping the camera for her, but has been distracted by her beauty.

DETAILS
Genre: DARK COMEDY/DRAMA
Cast: MALE
Setting: GIFT SHOP
Age range: 13-30 years old
Running time: around 1.5 minutes

___________

CLARK

Grace, you’re so beautiful. Maybe I should…look, it’s almost five. I think maybe I’ll just turn that sign over. Turn it over to say we’re closed. Lock the door, maybe? Would that be alright with you? If I did that? I mean, just so we could make sure our time wasn’t interrupted. You’re so beautiful that I just couldn’t, I just really wouldn’t want it to be interrupted. You know? I mean, if someone walked through that door right now, I just, I just don’t know what I’d do. What I’d be able to do. I just… (moves to door) I’m going to lock it. To say we’re closed. No one will come here anyway. No one should. No one on this island stays out past 4:00. I’m mean, we’re out. But that’s us. We’re different than all of them, aren’t we? We’re the two people who are different, and I’m going to keep the rest of them out—END OF EXCERPT
Click below for the monologue, LOCKING THE STORE.

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MARCH IN LINE

Stephanie has been bullied long enough and she is now making a point her community will never forget! She commands her troops to obey her every word and they are willing to even jump out a window for her. But first…she notices a problem one of her loyal troops is having… It’s Mr. Teddy. His stuffing is seeping out again.

DETAILS
Genre: DARK COMEDY
Cast: FEMALE/MALE, inclusive casting
Setting: BEDROOM
Age range: 13-25 years old

 STEPHANIE

(to her bedroom stuffed animals)
I’m thrilled you all could make it tonight, gentlemen.  I know I ask a lot of you, but I hope you all realize, I notice everything.  Every tiny smile, every command obeyed, every sacrifice given.  You’re my men, aren’t you?  And tonight, you’re going to prove it.
     (pause)
Now, I want you all to pick up your instruments and line up in—You!  Stand up straight, please.  I said, stand up!  Would you like the whole town to see you in a wrinkled band uniform?  Don’t answer, just listen.
     (surveys the troops)
Now, form that single line and reflect on your assignment tonight.  Remember, you’re more than simply clarinet players or baton twirlers.  You have a mission, a purpose—and while you may not be here to witness the difference you make, know that I will.  And that’s really what matters most, now isn’t it?
     (pause)
So all those people who said I didn’t have a voice, who said no one would ever listen to me—those awful people, with their awful taunts in my head—“She called ‘fire’ and no one heard her!”  “Have you noticed how the waiter never stops at her table?”  “She can’t even get a dog to lick her hand!” Well—END OF EXCERPT

For the complete 2-minute dark comedy monologue, March in Line, click below:

MARY'S EXPECTATIONS
(from the one-act play, The Other Three Sisters)

Mary has finally agreed to marry the large, ugly, boring Mr. Watts. While she does not love him, she would hate for his offer to go to her younger sisters and see one of them married before she.  Additionally, her neighbors have not received an offer of marriage, and she looks forward to holding this over them.  While she dreads a life with Mr. Watts, she looks forward to the riches and society gatherings a marriage affords.  She reminds him of what he owes to her, and becomes increasingly excited and demanding as she imagines her life with him.

DETAILS
Genre: COMEDIC
Cast: FEMALE
Setting: 18TH CENTURY HOME
Age range: 15-25 years old

_____________________________

MARY

Remember the pinmoney—two hundred a year!  And remember I am to have a new carriage hung as high as the Duttons', and blue spotted with silver.  And I shall expect a new saddle horse, a suit of fine lace, and an infinite number of the most valuable jewels.  Diamonds such as never were seen! And pearls, rubies, emeralds and beads out of number.  You must set up your phaeton which must be cream colored with a wreath of silver flowers round it.  You must buy four of the finest Bays in the kingdom and you must drive me in it every day.  This is not all.  You must entirely new furnish your house after my taste.  You must hire two more footmen to attend me, two women to wait on me, must always do just as I please and make a very good husband—END OF EXCERPT
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MAYBE THE NEXT IOS UPDATE...

ESTELLE, a woman in her 20s-40s, has just made it to a restaurant to meet Dan, a man she is dating. She is one hour late to their dinner, and implores him to understand this is not her fault and no reflection of how much she likes him. It’s all just because of, well, her jealous Siri…

DETAILS
Genre: COMEDY
Cast FEMALE (MALE)
Setting: A RESTAURANT
Age Range: late teen-40s
Running time: approximately 3 minutes

____________________

ESTELLE

I know I’m late again, and you’re a, you’re a saint to wait an hour for me, but, listen, really, I didn’t know we were meeting at 6. I thought—remember yesterday, you said 7? And, I know, I know, I know, you’re not gonna believe me, but, I never got the update you sent to my calendar.  I thought we were still meeting at 7.  And—listen to me, I know this has happened before, and you think, you think I’m some sort of flake or, maybe I get off by making you wait, but I don’t. I don’t!  I (pause) Dan…I really like you. (pause) I like…how you make fun of my penguin socks, and how I sometimes have to look up words you use in your emails. I like how you take me to vegan restaurants when I know you love steak.  And, how you’ll listen to pop music with me and pretend to dance even though I know you want to listen to old-man jazz music. And…I like how you look at me, and take your glasses off, because your eyes make me feel warm…and safe… like we’re sitting by a fire place with a blanket around us and maybe drinking hot chocolate…and…you make me feel so happy my stomach’s always nervous around you. (pause) And…I think, see, I think that’s the problem. (pause) I haven’t felt this way before.  Not since—END OF EXCERPT
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MY MISSING SKITTLES

Sal, a child 5-12 years old, has woken up in the middle of the night to find his father by the kitchen pantry, holding several Skittles’ candy wrappers in his hand. Sal confronts his dad about where his dad may have gotten this candy from, just days after Sal’s Halloween candy was put away into this very closet…

DETAILS
Genre: COMEDY/CHILDREN/TEEN
Cast: MALE/FEMALE
Setting: KITCHEN
Running Time: Approximately 1 minute

_______________________

SAL

Now you’re the one looking guilty, Dad. I know that face. I made that same face last night when you asked if I was playing with my Ipad after I went to bed. You could hear the fighting sounds. You knew I was. But we’re not talking about me right now. Are we? Cause I’m not the one standing by the closet with Skittles’ wrappers in my hands. Did you buy Skittles tonight, Dad? Cause I didn’t think you bought candy at stores. I thought you just bought milk and Band-Aids at stores, and only when Mom asked you to. Not Skittles. (pause) But I do remember what happened 2 nights ago when…END OF EXCERPT.
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NO MORE MIRRORS
From the full-length play, For My Silent Sisters.

JORANI is a young teen in Cambodia when she is taken from her home to work at a brothel. She sees herself in the mirror and does not recognize her face, filled with bruises.  She is speaking out toward the audience.

DETAILS
Genre: DRAMA
Cast: FEMALE (could be male)
Setting: A hotel room
Age Range: 13-30+ years

____________

JORANI

The bruise should be no surprise.  I’ve felt them often enough.  They don’t hurt unless you touch them.  So don’t touch them.  That’s what my mom would say.  No one says that now.  No one notices them.  They pull on my arm which is covered with bruises.  I flinch but they don’t see.  My caramel skin is more green and yellow now.  I’m used to seeing this.  My skin is no longer mine.  My body is no longer mine.  I understand that.  The Buddha shows us suffering is life.  When I last saw my mother, she reminded me of what I have known all my life—we must rid ourselves of our attachments, and then we can be on the path to enlightenment.  My path.  I think of this often, as I give up my body. I accept that.  I hold no attachment.  But when I see my face, I know that it’s mine.  I’m still attached.  I see it in the broken mirror of the hotel bathroom.  I see it in a reflection of his family’s picture on the nightstand.  I see it in the water he’s put in a bowl for me to drink out of on the floor.  My eyes house my soul.  My mouth houses my voice.  My ears house my compassion.  This essence of who I am is still mine.  Seeing my face reminds me…of me. (pause) The American chose me.  I prayed he would not, but he did.  I saw him months ago and I dirtied my pants when I saw him choose me again.  I’ve been with him for two weeks now and I haven’t once looked at my face after all he’s done to me.  Our faces matter, Madam tells us.  Our faces are to stay clean and soft.  But this doesn’t stop them.  They’ll pay extra, but this doesn’t stop them. (pause) And I need to see. (pause) He’s stepped out to get high again.  He knows I won’t leave.  I crawl to the bathroom and reach up to the sink.  I pull myself up and ignore the pain in all of my body.  I stand, but my legs are shaking.  This mirror is clean.  I rub it with my finger and it squeaks. (pause) I stare.  I breathe in…But I am quiet, I am a mouse.  I cannot make a sound—END OF EXCERPT
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NO RELEASE

MELINDA, a woman in her 20s-40s, speaks to her friend, Lauren. Melinda’s mother is suffering from a debilitating and fatal disease and she has given up her job and apartment to move back at home and care for her. Her mother has stopped eating and Melinda knows that she is dying.

DETAILS
Genre: DRAMATIC MONOLOGUE / TEEN MONOLOGUE
Cast FEMALE/MALE
Setting: A HOUSE
Age range: 15-50 (any age)

_____________________

MELINDA

Everyone keeps telling me to cry like it’s some kind of, some kind of miracle cure or something. I’ll feel better, I’ll feel this, I don’t know, this release, and—I don’t even know what a release feels like.  What—suddenly I’ll have no tightness in my chest? Cause you know, I’m wearing this tightness inside of me like some kind of old fashioned girdle, you know? And, it’s like, if crying really did cure all of that—if it took away this—this monster that’s squeezing the breath out of me—if it took away that feeling in my throat like I’m being choked all the time, or like my throat is tired from whispering all night? I mean, if it took that away, if that’s what a release is…then, yeah.  I’d cry until my eyes dried out. (pause) But…Lauren, it doesn’t work that way. I wish it did. God, I wish it did. Because I do cry. I cry and sometimes I sob like those little kids in the grocery store who want, whatever, candy or, I don’t know what they want. But I’m sobbing in the shower or in front of the refrigerator and that tightness in my chest is making me heave and those hands around my neck are still choking me, and, when I’m done crying—I’m hoping, I’m waiting…for me to feel that release…that everyone keeps talking about. (pause) But the tightness is still there. And…now I have this weaknesses too, like, my legs don’t want to hold me up anymore. Like, I’m some sort of—you know those puppets? Marionettes? That have to have strings to hold them up or they’ll collapse?—END OF EXCERPT.
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NOT JUST DERIVATIVES AND FUNCTIONS OR WHATEVER

Angelina is in the school cafeteria and speaks to her friend, Dawson, about his decision to take Helen to the prom. She first points out how Helen is not as kind as she is, but the real issue is Helen’s brain (Angelina doesn’t body-bash, so she won’t mention Helen’s looks). Angelina knows how much Dawson values a brain in a girl he likes (he did, after all, tell her once that “The hottest part of a girl is her brain.”). She is concerned, as any friend would be, that Helen’s brain is just too obsessed with math to be, well, hot.

DETAILS
Genre: Teen/Comedy/Young Adult    
Running time: Approximately 2 minutes
Cast: Female, teen, young adult
Setting: School Cafeteria

________________________________

ANGELINA

Are you really going to Prom with Helen?  Don’t even think about the fact that I’m, like, 10 times nicer than her—you know I am—you saw me donating all my old clothes, even from Anthropology, and I could have gotten a lot of money if I’d sold them online. And Helen…she’s mean, Dawson. She wouldn’t even adopt that stray cat we saw in the school parking lot on Tuesday. And you know I was totally ready to do it, except it ran away and you can’t chase cats. (pause) Now, I won’t criticize her looks, because I don’t body bash and am so pro-unity. But can we talk about her brain? It’s okay to judge brains. Because, Dawson, this is the real issue. You could go out with her if you’re into mean girls who, you know, look like her. But remember last year, when we had that really long talk sitting next to each other on the bus going to that art museum? You said, and I totally remember it, because it was so cool you said it, and so much more mature than all the other guys in school. It was like you were…in your 20s... You said, you were like, “The hottest part of a girl is her brain.” (pause) So. You know. Think about her brain, Dawson. She’s always, I mean, she’s obsessed with Math. Everything she—END OF EXCERPT
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 PIECES OF COAL 

Night. ADELE is in her bedroom, where she sees a haunting boy inside the mirror, who is playing with toy soldiers. When she gains courage to speak, she questions him until he finally stares directly at her. She is stunned as his eyes turn to coal and then begin to bleed. She is terrified and fearful that he is in pain—or that he is there to put her into pain. She begs him to turn away from her.

DETAILS
Genre: Thriller/Drama/Horror
Cast: Female/Male
Age range: Teen through adult
Setting: Bedroom, night
Running time: Approximately 1.5 - 2 minutes

_______________________ 

ADELE

(very quietly at first) What…do…you… (stares at the boy in the mirror) It’s hard to speak. (pause) I can barely breathe... (steadies herself) Okay. (pause) What…do you want? (pause) Maybe you can’t see me. Can you see me? You’re not—you’re not looking at me. You’re foggy, dark, barely this…moving image in the mirror. But I can see you’re a little boy. Playing with tiny soldiers and…a mouse? Or rat? Oh, don’t put that rat on your face, little boy. It’ll bite you! It’s biting—-Oh…you’re smiling…you like that?…Hm… Where are your teeth? You’re—END OF EXCERPT

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PIT TRAP MEREDITH
A dark comedy

ABOUT THE MONOLOGUE, PIT TRAP MEREDITH:
Meredith has been searching for her wounded sister, Selina, and is happy to find her at last. Selina is upset with Meredith, however, thinking she abandoned her in a tree stump, just like all the other rabbits abandoned her after she was injured. In this monologue, Meredith defends the unjust accusation.

ABOUT THE PLAY, THE MOON RIVER RAFT:
When the rabbit, Selina, breaks her leg, she knows she will not survive long in a forest filled with predators. While the rest of her rabbit colony has ostracized her as a “magnet of death,” her sister, Meredith, remains loyal and plans to keep her safe by hiding her in a tree stump forever. But when Meredith finds Selina at a very creepy river in the middle of the night, Selina reveals a secret she has learned from the elder-rabbits that will save her: The Moon River Raft is arriving tonight and will take all “woundeds” to a perfect place where injuries are healed and no predators exist. Selina pleads with Meredith to come with her, but Meredith has serious doubts. As the Moon River Raft approaches, their fate becomes clear and their loyalty to each other is truly tested.

DETAILS:
Genre: Comedy/Drama/dark comedy
Running time: Approximately 30 seconds-1 minute
Cast: Female (could be any gender)
Age range: Teen-adult
Setting: Middle of the night, in a forest, by a riverbank
Time period: contemporary

MEREDITH 

Don’t lump me in with them! Who sleeps with you every night and grooms you every day? You know I’m different! Do you see all the mud in my fur? Probably ticks too—I haven’t had time to clean. I tried to get to you sooner, Selina—as soon as the dogs left. But the other rabbits trapped me in a pit. They said it was a game, but I’ve never heard of “Pit Trap Meredith.” Have you? (pause) They wouldn’t let me out until sunset but—END OF EXCERPT

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PURPLE BANANA NOSE

A room in a police station.  The light is white, cold.  A DETECTIVE sits at a table with a folder in front of him/her.  DANNY, a man with an intellectual disability, sits on the other side of the table.  His hands are on his head and he shakes it back and forth. 

DETAILS
Genre: DRAMATIC
Cast: MALE (female)
Setting: POLICE STATION
Age range: 15-50 years old

________________

DANNY

Not s’posed to tell!  Not s’posed to tell! (pause) I tell but not use names.  Okay?  That’s what Jimm—that’s what my best friend tell me to do.  No names.  ‘Cause we’re best friends.  My friends always save the cherry one for me.  They good friends.  ‘Cause I useta play by myself, but now they play games wi’ me.  My friend teach me S-s-s-sah-li-taire.  Put black on red.  Black on red.  Black-on-red.  Blackonred. (pause) Why I gotta tell you ‘bout the game we play?  It our game!  My game wi’ my friends! (pause) We gonna play Muppets, he tell me.  You be Gonzo!  He tell me.  GONZO!  (pause) Gonzo got a purple banana nose.  I like Gonzo.  They tell me be Gonzo ‘cause Gonzo weird and stupid.  Like me.  They funny.  My friends. (pause) We gonna do Muppet Caper.  My friend Pe—my friend, he play Kermit.  And one play Piggy—but he’s a boy, not a girl. (laughing) He’s a boy, not a girl.  Boy-not-girl. Boynotgirl.  They all silly. (pause) I don’t wanna tell you no more.  You’re not laughing.  You don’t think my friends funny.  They make me laugh.  But you make me cry.  Why you look like you so mad?  Wanna go home.  Don’t wanna stay here.  You look so mad.  Don’t wanna talk—END OF EXCERPT
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PURRING SARCASTICALLY

When Violet arrives home from work, she’s horrified to see her dignified cat, Luna, dressed up in a holiday “ugly sweater” and matching Christmas-light tiara. As she tries to figure out who might have done this cheesy costuming to her precious kitty, and why (hint: Her boyfriend, Fred, is none too pleased Violet refuses to wear matching snowman sweaters to the Christmas party tonight!), she tries to take off the cat’s sweater. But Luna doesn’t seem to want to take it off… In fact, Luna seems to be liking it. Licking it. Even purring at it. Can Violet accept it if her couture kitty is now preferring Ugly Sweaters?

DETAILS
Genre: Comedy
Age range: late teens-40s
Cast: Female
Setting: Bedroom, Christmas season
Time period: Contemporary
Running time: around 2 minutes

EXCERPT BELOW:

VIOLET

(to her cat, Luna) Who did this to you? My baby…Luna… who dressed you up like this? Did my mom do this when she stopped by today? She was supposed to check on you, not dress you up like a Christmas ornament! (pause) Your beautiful white kitty fur all covered up in that ugly red and green sweater and… Don’t tell me that’s a polar bear on the sweater. It is. You poor thing… I’m sure cats hate polar bears! I hope you’re not traum— (looks closely at Luna) What is that on your head? Is this a Christmas light tiara? No, no, no. This has to come off. If you’re going to wear a tiara it had better be handed-beaded couture and – definitely not plastic! I did not rescue you from the streets to have you paraded around like, like, I don’t know, you’re an extra in some bad Grinch remake. Come here. (Luna won’t come to her) Luna! Come here. I’m trying to give you your dignity back! Why are you…you’re backing away from me? I’m not the one who put you in that ridiculous costume! The only person I know who even likes those Ugly Sweaters is—END OF EXCERPT

Click below for the complete comedic monologue, PURRING SARCASTICALLY.

SECOND-HAND DIRT
From the full-length play, Movements of the Wind, 2nd movement, Sharing Soil

About the play, Movements of the Wind:As wind sweeps through a garden, its inhabitants must confront the volatile effects of Mother Nature, as well as their own changing nature. The story follows several short, intertwined pieces, as Carrot and Potato, taught to be enemies from birth, struggle to remain friends, Tulip wants more out of life than only her partner, and two pieces of pollen attempt to make a dangerous jump from a dying flower to a fresh one. Through sacrifice and friendship, they must not only survive their trials, but also come to populate another generation.

About the 10-minute play/scene from Movements of the Wind, Sharing Soil:In soil cultures, prejudices run deep for carrots and potatoes. But when bully vegetables draw Carrot and Potato together, they must decide if their new friendship is worth risking their safety and rejection from their own garden cultures.

About the monologue, Second-Hand Dirt:Carrot has just run away from mean carrots who have bitten off her carrot tip, and has been alone crying. Soon, Potato ambles by, and Carrot mistakes her for a lumpy brown carrot. Carrot is embarrassed and hurt from her run-in with the bullying carrots and speaks harshly to the potato. Potato thinks Carrot is acting mean to her. In this monologue, Carrot explains her failed attempts of being accepted into the mainstream carrot group.

DETAILS
Genre: Comedy/Teen/Drama/Allegory
Cast: Female (male)
Age range: 12-20
Setting: Garden
Running time: Approximately 45 seconds - 1 minute

______________________ 

CARROT

They’re always picking at me. The carrots at the north end. Just because I’m beautiful, and strong! (pause) I’m not mean! (pause) Well, they make me mean. (pause) I usta be nice.  Too nice, I guess.  You know, when Carrot 92’s mother got taken away, I offered her some of the moistest soil I had.  I’d been guarding that soil ever since I can remember.  And I’m still young and growing, you know?  But I offer it to her anyway!  And you know what she does? END OF EXCERPT

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SEVENTEEN STITCHES: RACHEL’S MONOLOGUE
From the one-act play, Seventeen Stitches

About the monologue: Rachel recounts to her old classmate, Peter, how she first met him. After being bullied by a classmate on a teeter totter, Peter stepped in and punch the bully.

About the play: In this one-act dark comedy/thriller, Rachel and Peter meet in a vortex-like space between opposing lines of people. While Rachel is simply passing the time before she returns to her place in line, Peter has stepped out of his line in protest. As the lines begin to close in on them, he must make a life-altering decision by choosing to continue forging his path in his father’s line, or join the haunting allure of Rachel’s line, the “line of diamonds.”

DETAILS
Genre: Dark comedy/drama
Cast: Female
Age range: teen – young adult
Running time: Approximately 2 minutes

__________________________________

RACHEL

We weren’t in the same class, but we had recess together. Play time. I’m Rachel. You’re Peter, right? I remember the name of someone who saved me. I was on the teeter totter with Becky Hill—she was really big, remember? She was my age—maybe six, or whatever age you are in first grade.  I think she weighed over a hundred pounds already. I weighed maybe 40, or whatever you’re supposed to weigh at that age. Hey, are you crying? I’m telling you the tale of why I know you and I really think you ought to be listening to me. So maybe Becky didn’t like me because I stuttered when I read Dr. Seuss, or she was jealous that I still wore kids’ t-shirts or maybe she didn’t like me because I was just who she didn’t want to like—I don’t know. But when I was way up high and she was way down low, when her totter was touching the pavement, she—END OF EXCERPT
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SHE'S SO UGLY

Skyler speaks to her friends about Hannah, a girl in their dance class, who is far from pretty. She pities poor Hannah being stuck with so many beautiful girls and illustrates just how ugly Hannah truly is. She has the idea to give her a make-over, but does not think any makeover could bring her even close to the extremely high caliber of the other beautiful girls. She comes to the realization that the only way to make Hannah appear prettier, is to make the pretty girls uglier. She recognizes this will be a challenge, as well, but they will not shy away from a challenge.

DETAILS
Genre: COMEDY/DARK COMEDY/TEEN
Cast: FEMALE
Setting: A TEEN BEDROOM
Age range: 12-22
Running time: Approximately 1 minute

___________________

SKYLER

She’s so ugly, I feel so bad. No, seriously, I do, because I have, like, a really high level of empathy. I took a test online and I’m basically an empath. So think of walking in to school every day like that, and worse, oh my god, worse, our dance class, right? Everyone is so pretty in that class. We can’t help it. Attractive people like to dance and that’s not our fault and that’s not discrimination. It can’t be, because Hannah’s in that class, and well...(pause) She must feel so alone. Her poor face…oh my God, her poor hair and skin and eyes. Look, you guys know I think everyone is beautiful in their own way. You saw what my shirt said yesterday, right? “Being Beautiful Is Everyone’s Destiny.” Everyone’s. Not just mine. And I wouldn’t wear it if I didn’t believe it. You know I hold true to my convictions. It’s why everyone likes me. (pause) But Hannah…I mean, maybe we need to focus on her inner beauty, you know? And it’s like, we could do a make-over, and draw some beauty out, but, I really don’t think that’s enough. The standard in our class is just too high. So. I was thinking. You know how—END OF EXCERPT
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SINGLE CRUTCH
a comedic teen monologue

After a bully steals Ben’s crutch, Ben begs his friend to lend him his old “Tiny Tim” crutch so he can make Marching Band auditions in time! Ben points out, his friend kind of owes him. After all, he wouldn’t have broken his leg if his friend hadn’t advised him to jump out of a moving truck to impress a girl in the first place (And it didn’t even work!)!

DETAILS
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Male/Female
Setting: Yard
Age range: 12-18
Running time: Approximately 2 minutes
(c) 2004

BEN

(to his friend)I’ve been practicing my clarinet all morning and I really thought I was gonna get in this time.  I know marching band is competitive, especially for the hockey team, but I had a good feeling about it all morning.  Fifth time’s a charm, my mom said. (pause)
Then that guy who wears all the jewelry stole my crutch. (pause) My mom said it was okay for me to practice my song outside, since it wasn’t raining and I was only playing marches.  But he ran up to me from across the street.  He was yelling something like, “shut the hell up!” or something.  And he knocked my stand over and grabbed one of my crutches.  I tried to run after him, but I’m not very fast on one crutch.  I didn’t let him get my clarinet though!  I had to toss it under the picnic table, and I’m sure I broke the reed, but at least I saved it.  Anyway, now I have to sort of hop and walk to get anywhere.  I don’t think I can make it to the gym on time with only one crutch.  And since you have that crutch you used in fourth grade when you were Tiny Tim, I was wondering if I could maybe borrow it.  I know you want it to stay in mint condition, but I won’t mess it up.  I’d have to bend over a little, since it’s a kiddie crutch, but my mom said I have a strong back.  I don’t mind. (pause) Hey, you’re the reason my leg is broken anyway.  You’re the one who told me to jump off the truck so—END OF EXCERPT

Click below for the complete digital copy of the monologue, Single Crutch, by Tara Meddaugh:

STILL STANDING UNDER THE MISTLETOE

Larry is at a Christmas party and speaks to his ex-girlfriend Mindy. She is standing under a mistletoe and he nervously confesses he still has feelings for her. He hopes that she still has feelings for him too, and that if she notices she is standing under the mistletoe, she will not move away from it… 

DETAILS
Genre: Comedy/Drama/Romantic Comedy/Rom-Com
Age range: teen-adult
Cast: Male
Running time: Approximately 1.5-2 minutes
Setting: A Christmas party

_____________________________

LARRY

Is it okay that I’m, I mean, you don’t mind talking to me, when you’re—you know, you’re standing there? I mean, maybe you don’t even notice, but you’re standing under—Okay, I shouldn’t even mention. You’ll just move. And I—I—I don’t want you to move. (pause)You’re…Mindy…you’re the most beautiful thing at this Christmas party and that winter wonderland display is very pleasing to the eye, so it’s not easy competition. (pause) But—blue lights and artificial snow? It’s nothing compared to you. I haven’t forgotten how you smell like cinnamon or how your hair feels like velvet or how your laugh could, it could melt those icicles hanging from the roof. (pause) You make me a poet! (pause) So why would I want you to move when we’re finally so close? (pause) You don’t have to say anything. I don’t mind if you’re quiet because if you say something, you might tell me to leave. Or tell me I’m crazy. That this is all in my head that—END OF EXCERPT
Click below for the complete copy of the monologue, Still Standing Under the Mistletoe

THE ADVENTURE OF THE SEED
a monologue play from The Victory Garden Plays

Alice is a newlywed when her husband is stationed abroad during WW2. She relays the stark life change her husband has undergone from playing the clarinet in High School to holding a gun in muddy trenches. She knows receiving mail is “second only to food and munition,” and she has a piece of mail to send her husband that will give him the love, security and will to come home safely to her—and their growing family.

DETAILS
Genre: Drama, WW2
Cast: Female
Time period: 1940s
Age range: Older teen to adult
Running time: Approximately 4-5 minutes
*This story, complete as a whole play itself, comes from the collection of shorts in the full-length play, Victory Gardens.

______________

ALICE

I’m mailing this seed today, and it will go on a greater adventure than I have ever been on. It’ll start right here, in New Rochelle. A seed I’ve taken from a watermelon I’ve grown in our backyard victory garden and dried over two weeks. It’s sealed in an envelope and it’ll be picked up tomorrow morning by Mr. Parker, our mailman. It will ride in a US Postal truck to New York City, then it will find a good long rest on a boat, or maybe a plane, which will cross the Atlantic Ocean to France. From there, it will bump along in a military vehicle, until it reaches its final destination and infantry division, and into the warm, fair hands of Mr. Richard Ayers. (pause) Richard is most likely in the trenches, because he’s 19, and in the army. The trenches often fill with mud, and it’s hard to sleep because he hears the bombs in the distance and he wonders if the sounds are getting closer or he is just imagining it. It’s getting harder to tell what is really happening anymore, because none of it seems real when he thinks about it. (pause) A year ago, when we fell in love, he was in High School, hoping to become a university professor one day. He liked English literature courses and playing the clarinet, and he had never killed anyone, or thought of killing anyone before. Then they bombed Pearl Harbor, and this caused him to be filled with a new kind of hatred he had only read about, and—END OF EXCERPT

Click below for the complete 4-5 minute dramatic monologue, The Adventure of the Seed.

Click below for the complete play, The Victory Garden Plays, from which Alice’s monologue comes:

THE BEANSTALK
A 5-minute comedy/drama/fairy tale

Jack has impulsively climbed the giant beanstalk that had somehow appeared in his backyard over night. While it was exciting climbing up, he is starting to feel kind of lonely now…missing Mother, Brown Cow and even Fence Post. And the worst part of all…while it would be nice to climb down back to home…he realizes…he’s kind of stuck. And doesn’t want to be the laughing stock of the village, once again, as the boy who got stuck in a giant beanstalk. He solicits the help of a passing raven who has taken the time to stop and observe this strange human creature way up in the clouds. And maybe Jack’s solution isn’t really about climbing down the beanstalk…

DETAILS
Genre: COMEDY/DRAMA
Cast: MALE (FEMALE)
Setting: A GIANT BEANSTALK
Age range: 12-25 years old
Running time: 3-6 minutes
*Adapted from the 10-minute play, Jack and Dear Raven.

EXCERPT BELOW

JACK

Please don’t poke my eyes out! I’m not—I’m not an evil stepsister! Just a boy! No curses on me! I promise! (looks anxiously around then realizes raven won’t hurt him) So you—so you won’t…peck my eyes? Can we agree…to not do that? Because… because if you won’t…if you have no intention of hurting me, then…would you…would you mind staying with me? For a bit? I’m awfully lonely up here, Dear Raven. I hope it’s okay that I call you that because you are. Dear—that is. You’re the only creature that has stopped to see me. (pause) See, I didn’t…really…think that I’d make it up this far. I didn’t really think it through at all.  Mother keeps telling me that’s my problem—I don’t think, I don’t think! I guess she’s right… because now that I think about it…not thinking has landed me in quite a few pickles. Even just yesterday, I chased after what I thought was a sack of coins, but don’t you know, Dear Raven, I chased that sack of coins right into a cave and turns out the sack of coins was a baby bear! (pause) And his mama was not pleased with me. (pause) Still. I managed my way out of that pickle. As I always do, because my body reacts even if I don’t think. But Dear Raven…my body is not helping me out of this pickle. Not this time. (pause) Oh, climbing up here was easy. Put one foot in front of the other. Mother says I’ve always been a climber. It must be an instinct. When I was nine months old, she found me sitting on top of the brown cow in the barn one morning. But how long was I sitting there before she found me and she brought me down? (pause) I’ve never considered myself afraid of heights before, but it’s not really the climbing up that scares me. It’s the getting down, Dear Raven. (pause) You see, I think I’m stuck here on this giant beanstalk. (pause) Oh, I’ve tried climbing backwards already. I—END OF EXCERPT—

Click below for the complete version of the 5-minute-monologue, The Beanstalk.

Click below for the entire 10-minute play, Jack and Dear Raven, from which this monologue is adapted.

THE BEST GENERAL TSO’s

Larissa finds a container of leftover General Tso’s chicken in the refrigerator from the last time she and her husband ventured to a restaurant, at the beginning of the covid-19 global pandemic. She discovers the chicken is now moldy and confronts her husband about how they can never have this meal from the restaurant again; it is now permanently closed. 

DETAILS
Genre: Comedy/Drama
Cast: Female (male)
Age range: 20s-50s, older teens
Running time: Approximately 1.5 minutes
Setting: A kitchen
Time period: Spring 2020 during global pandemic stay-at-home measures

LARISSA

Babe—look at…look at what I found…It’s… It’s General Tso’s chicken! It was way in the back, behind the melon and those giant bags of nuts. They were blocking the leftovers. This is from…March…it was a Saturday…let me look at the calendar. March 14…I know it was then because it was a week before the lockdown but we already had, like, 500 cases in the county, so I was really nervous going to a restaurant and I was like, “This is the last time we’re going out. (pause) And now…Babe, the chicken is all moldy. Look…The broccoli too. You don’t wanna see? (pause) We could have eaten this if that bag of almonds wasn’t blocking it! Why do you keep buying almonds? No one is eating them! (pause) And no, Babe, we can’t just order take-out—END OF EXCERPT
Click below for the complete digital copy of the monologue, The Best General Tso’s by Tara Meddaugh.

THE BEAUTIFUL BRACELET
By Tara Meddaugh

RILEY confronts her grieving friend, Hayley, whom she saw shoplift a bracelet.

DETAILS:
Genre: Dramatic
Setting: A coffee shop
Age range: Tween, teen
Cast: Female
Time period: Contemporary
Running time: Approximately 30-60 seconds
Originally Commissioned by American Pageants

____________________________

RILEY

That’s really, um, that’s a…beautiful bracelet. But…Haley, I’m not a psychologist or anything and I’m not trying to pretend that I am, but…You haven’t been calling or texting since your mom died, and I get it—you must be devastated and maybe you don’t want to talk, but…END OF EXCERPT. This monologue, The Beautiful Bracelet, is free to download here, but if you would like to support the playwright and her craft, you may do so below:

THE DOG TOENAIL
From the full-length play, Free Space

Ricky is a hardworking, kind and straight-forward young man at the local cannery.  When Amelia comes to visit him, she confesses to a mistake her family has made.  Ricky attempts to make her feel better about this. He recalls when a woman found a dog toenail in her can of corn but how things ended up working out for the best.

DETAILS
Genre: DARK COMEDY
Cast: MALE (female)
Setting: A CAN FACTORY
Age range: 14-30 years old

____________________

RICKY

Mistakes happen though.  To you and your mom, and it happened here at the cannery once—a lady came in a few months ago and said that she found a dog toenail in her can of corn!  And that was not on the label.   She was gonna sue us or something, but then the foreman gave her a free case full of canned corn and also some canned peas, because she said she really liked peas a lot better than corn anyway.  I told her if she just got the canned peas instead of the corn in the first place, she wouldn’ta had this problem and it woulda saved her some time that morning—END OF EXCERPT
CLICK FOR COMPLETE FREE THE DOG TOENAIL MONOLOGUE

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Click below for a digital copy of Free Space, the full-length dark comedy from which the Dog Toenail monologue comes.

Click below for a hard copy of Free Space, the full-length dark comedy from which the Dog Toenail monologue comes.

THE PLUM COLORED SWEATER

Jasmine knows it’s only a sweater, but she just might be obsessively in love with it. She can’t help thinking of it, imagining it, touching it. She feels guilty; she cannot afford it, and it goes against her friend-policy of not buying what another friend already owns (Lilah has the same sweater). Still. She knows the sweater wants her. And she wants the sweater too.

DETAILS:
Genre: Dramatic, comedic
Running time: Approximately 4 minutes
Cast: Female
Age range: teen-20s
Setting: clothing store
Time period: Contemporary

JASMINE

(to Dave) I want to go shopping.  And not just that typical “girl shopping” where you try on seven pairs of skinny jeans and four tank tops in different shades of blue. I don’t need to check to make sure the camel belt looks just right around my….  I don’t need to try on anything—because I know exactly what I want. Right now. (pause) I want a new sweater.  (pause) And I know I already have a bunch of sweaters, and you’re right—they fit fine. They fit well.  Beautifully. And I love them. Really—every one. Well, except for the pilled up green one. I should really just get rid it. But the others…I wouldn’t stop wearing them. I just… (pause) See, I didn’t even know I wanted a new one. You know me. Practical. I don’t buy what I don’t need. I even saw this same sweater, a few weeks ago, and didn’t think much of it. Lilah was wearing it, and I thought, that’s a cool sweater. I mean, there’s nothing wrong with it. But Lilah has it. It’s hers, and… (pause) I know you’re not a girl, but…you know how Eva dropped that blueberry cheesecake on me at Junior Prom? Got that caramel sauce all over my hair and the blueberry stains never did come out of the fabric. Well, that wasn’t because she’s clumsy. It was because I came in a sequin dress, just like her! And my dress wasn’t even the same color! (pause) So…I don’t really want to do that to Lilah. Or have her do anything to me. We run in the same dance circle, you know? (pause)  But this…is…the same sweater. The same cut, the same beautiful purple-plum color, so rich, but light at the same time. That same softness, mixed with a little of something else to make it…rougher? It’s just…it’s a perfect sweater…I would never have even thought of buying a sweater that Lilah already has, but—END OF EXCERPT

Click below for the digital copy of the monologue, The Plum Colored Sweater, by Tara Meddaugh.

THE STATISTICS AREN’T REAL
From the ten-minute play Jumping the Wind

Pollen K-10 cites various statistics which prove that since he has started his flower jumping course, the rate of pollen falling to their demise during jumps has dramatically decreased. In fact, the rate of success now is astoundingly high and should be encouraging to Pollen V-6, who is terrified to jump from the dying flower to a fresh flower. Pollen K-10 has never revealed where he has received these statistics, and Pollen V-6 begs him to tell her where he has gotten them from. She will make the jump during the next wind, but needs to know this information. She needs to know the truth.

About the 10-minute play, Jumping the Wind:
Pollen K-10 and Pollen V-6 are the last two remaining pieces of pollen on a dying flower, and they now must make the treacherous jump from the dying flower to a fresh one. Pollen K-10 has taught flower-jumping courses to the pollen in order to make their jumps successful, yet Pollen V-6 is terrified to jump the next wind, afraid of falling and being lost forever. As the leader of the pollen, Pollen K-10 risks his own safety, remaining to help her make this jump. The winds are fading, the flower will be destroyed by Cat that night, and Pollen V-6 doesn’t look any closer to jumping.

DETAILS
Genre: COMEDIC/DRAMATIC/TEEN
Cast: MALE (female)
Setting: A DYING FLOWER
Running Time: Approximately 1.5 minutes

_____________________

POLLEN K-10

The statistics aren’t real. I made them up. (brief pause) Please don’t lose faith in me, Pollen V-6! I tried to get the statistics! I really tried! I asked the flies, but they’re too fickle. They forget what I’ve asked them to do almost immediately after they leave, and they don’t remember me when they return. The friendlier bees tried to help, but then, even the most honorable ones told me upfront there was a conflict of interest. The birds don’t care. The Talls don’t understand us. There was nowhere for me to get the statistics. The statistics aren’t real…but… (pause) The statistics are true. Pollens survive the ride so much more than they used to, because they believe they can. They believe they’re prepared, and--END OF EXCERPT
click for the complete free monologue, The Statistics Aren't Real.

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To purchase the 10-minute play, Jumping the Wind, from which this monologue comes, click below:

THIS HEAT IN MY BRAIN

SLOANE speaks to a person he has just accosted then assaulted. He justifies it is the heat in his brain, similar to the burning heat of sand on a hot summer day, which has forced him to harm the person. He believes this attack is the only way to cool down his brain and implores his victim to sympathize with him.

DETAILS
Genre: Thriller/Horror/Drama
Cast: Male/Female
Age range: Teen through adult
Setting: An alley
Time period: Present
Running time: Approximately 1.5 minutes

___________

SLOANE

It’s this heat—I feel it in, I feel it in my face first, my head. (pause) That’s the most dangerous place, isn’t it? It controls everything. My brain. So when my brain is hot, then…my body, it gets hot too and it just…it does what my brain needs to have done. I don’t want to twist your wrist until I hear those little bones crackling. I just feel so hot and it’s the only thing that cools me down. Oh…you look so sad. So scared… (pause) Have you ever walked along the beach in a heat wave? Felt the sand so hot under your feet that it stings? Thousands of sizzling dagger blades, twisting and burning and pressing, invading your body. Have you felt that? (pause) It’s unbearable, isn’t it? You look—END OF EXCERPT

Click below for the complete thriller monologue, THIS HEAT IN MY BRAIN.

THOSE JIMMY CHOO SHOES

SARAH is at the principal’s office. She implores the principal to understand all of the terrible things that Madison has done to her, and how it has logically led to Sarah hitting Madison in the face with one of her Jimmy Choo shoes.

DETAILS
Genre: Comedy/Teen/Drama
Cast: Female
Age range: 12-20
Setting: Principal’s office
Running time: Approximately 1 minute

______________________

SARAH

You wanna know why I did it, I get it. But really, there are hundreds of reasons, so it’s more like, why didn’t I do it sooner? Madison is always, like, shoving those bags that cost a thousand dollars or whatever, like, shoving them on my desk when she walks by, and telling me about how she’s donating her Jimmy Choo shoes to the thrift shop and maybe I can afford them there. She also flirts with my dad. Did you know that? When he picks me up from school, she always finds a way to bend over, like she’s in some movie. And, she invited all the girls in our grade to the spa—except me. They went in a hot and cold sauna. I could—really, I could keep going, but the last thing she did, right before I got called to your office—and I hope, like, I hope all of this makes sense to you now—END OF EXCERPT

Click for the free digital download of the monologue, Those Jimmy Choo Shoes.

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THOSE 10th GRADE REPS

Hudson has just attended a Student Government meeting at his High School. He was so impressed with how Audrey, the president, ran the meeting, that he starts to see her in a new way. He is bowled over by her command of the room and suddenly entirely smitten with, and attracted to, her. He speaks to Audrey privately outside of the school, waiting for the bus after their meeting.

DETAILS
Genre: Comedy
Cast: Male
Age Range: Teen
Setting: Outside a high school
Time period: Contemporary
Running time: Approximately 1 minute
*The standard version of this monologue contains 1 curse-word in the last line, but in that same document, I offer an alternative last line, as well, if you’re looking to avoid swearing, or if you just prefer the secondary line. It conveys a slightly different sentiment and character—and both options have their own merit.
*Additionally, I offer a version of this monologue with no option of the curse-word, only containing the alternative ending with no swearing.
Both digital download options are available below.

_______

HUDSON

(to Audrey. He struggles to find the words at first) You are…Audrey, I mean… That was… The way you ran that meeting was… You could be the President of the country, not just Student Government. Yeah, I know it’s “only a bake sale” you’re organizing, not like inflation rates or something, but you still had to control the room, right? And those 10th Grade Reps were trying to talk over you, but you…! Audrey…you stopped them. I don’t—END OF EXCERPT
Click below for the complete 1-minute monologue, THOSE 10th GRADE REPS.

TIRAMISU VAPING

Emma, a girl around 16 years old, speaks to her mother, justifying her habit of vaping. She claims it is a far less selfish habit than her mom’s generation of smoking, and that her generation has made serious steps to think of others, as well as the planet around her. She makes the case that vaping is a lesser evil than what she could be doing, so she pleads with her mom to be proud of her for once.

DETAILS
Genre: Dark Comedy/Teen/Young Adult
Cast: FEMALE (Male)
Age range: 13-20s
Running time: Approximately 1.5-2 minutes

_____________________

EMMA

How can you possibly say that I’m selfish for vaping? I mean, I think, seriously, we’re the first generation who is not being selfish. We’re like, for real, using stainless steel thermoses which is even better than recycling. And you know, my friends and I started that anti-bullying workshop when we were 10—not for us, but for the little kids. Vaping is like—oh, it’s so frustrating talking to you!—vaping is like thinking about others. You know? Like, I’m thinking about you, Mom. And I’m thinking about Lucas and even random people on the street. I’m thinking about the whole world. I mean, the whole world! I’m not polluting, Mom! I’m not giving you or kids at the park cancer. Like, your generation didn’t care about that. Okay, I know, restaurants used to allow smoking and they stopped, but, I mean, this is much bigger than that. This is like, letting us be independent and try cool flavors like Tiramisu—you know I love tiramisu—but without the fat! I mean, I haven’t gained any weight since I started vaping. And it’s like—END OF EXCERPT
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This monologue is free to download above, but if you would like to support the playwright and her craft, you may do so below:

WHAT I DID BEFORE BINGO, full version, 2.5 minutes
A monologue from the full-length play, Free Space

About the full-length play, Free Space:
Amelia spends her days under the watchful eye of her mother, doing the same nothing she has done for years. Yet when Bingo arrives at her local community center, a talking Bingo chip convinces Amelia that forming her own game is the way out of this life and away from her controlling mother. However, as her mother begins acting like her newly arrived sister, and the chip becomes increasingly dominating, Amelia discovers her new life is nothing as she imagined. Learn more here.

About the monologue, What I Did Before Bingo:
Tonight, Amelia has lost her valued volunteer position at the local community center, helping with Bingo Night. Now her mother has just wrestled away all of Amelia’s precious bingo chips, as she sees them as a sign of depravity. Her mother informs her that a new sister has taken Amelia’s bedroom so she must sleep on the living room floor that night. Amelia is dejected after a night of losing Bingo, the one thing that brought her joy and hope in her isolated world. She lies down to sleep on the floor when she realizes her mother did not take away all of her bingo chips. One is left and this one is special. Amelia hears it talking to her, and she is encouraged to share about what life was like before and after Bingo. She begins to have hope once more with the idea that she could form her very own bingo game.

DETAILS
Cast: Female (or male)
Age range: teen-adult
Genre: Dark Comedy/Drama/Absurd
Running time: Approximately 2 ½ minutes. For the 1-minute version of this monologue, click here.
Setting: A living room  

__________________

AMELIA

What? (she looks around and sees no one is there. After a moment, she settles onto the floor once more. Again, she starts suddenly and sits up.) Who’s there? (she stands and looks toward the door) Who said that? Who’s talking? (she walks around the room and looks under a piece of furniture.  She stares at something and her eyes widen.) You… (She pulls out a single bingo chip from under the furniture and holds it up) She didn’t get you…You’re a lucky chip—she took all the others. (pause) So…what do you want from me? (pause) Just to listen? But…why me? (pause) You really think I’m that special? That pure? (pause) Yes, I think I understand Bingo more than them too. I’m glad you noticed. Some of them still think that if you’re prettier or smarter or people like you more—that you have a better chance of winning…But you don’t. (pause) Well, it’s hard to remember really, what I did before Bingo. I know I just saw it last week, but I guess I didn’t really do too much before it. I just…I stared out the window with my mother…but besides that….oh—I guess I used to look at the stars by myself sometimes. Is that doing something? (pause) Because if I squinted my eyes hard enough, I could see myself on one of those stars. And I’d wave down to myself from that star and think, “I look so tiny on that earth.” And then I’d wave up at myself from earth and think, “I look so tiny on that star.” Of course, I know I’d be dead if I were actually on a star…but, sometimes, I’d really like to be there. But my mom—END OF EXCERPT
Click for the complete free monologue, What I Did Before Bingo, full version

This monologue is free to download above, but if you would like to support the playwright and her craft, you may do so below:

To learn more about Amelia and her story, check out the full-length play, Free Space!

READ THE FULL PLAY, FREE SPACE, DIGITAL COPY
Click below for a digital copy of the complete play, Free Space

WHAT I DID BEFORE BINGO 1 minute version
A monologue from the full-length play, Free Space

About the full-length play, Free Space:
Amelia spends her days under the watchful eye of her mother, doing the same nothing she has done for years. Yet when Bingo arrives at her local community center, a talking Bingo chip convinces Amelia that forming her own game is the way out of this life and away from her controlling mother. However, as her mother begins acting like her newly arrived sister, and the chip becomes increasingly dominating, Amelia discovers her new life is nothing as she imagined. Learn more here.

About the monologue, What I Did Before Bingo:
Tonight, Amelia has lost her valued volunteer position at the local community center, helping with Bingo Night. Now her mother has just wrestled away all of Amelia’s precious bingo chips, as she sees them as a sign of depravity. Her mother informs her that a new sister has taken Amelia’s bedroom so she must sleep on the living room floor that night. Amelia is dejected after a night of losing Bingo, the one thing that brought her joy and hope in her isolated world. She lies down to sleep on the floor when she realizes her mother did not take away all of her bingo chips. One is left and this one is special. Amelia hears it talking to her, and she is encouraged to share about what life was like before and after Bingo. She begins to have hope once more with the idea that she could form her very own bingo game.

DETAILS
Cast: Female (or male)
Age range: teen-adult
Genre: Dark Comedy/Drama/Absurd
Running time: Approximately 1 minute.
For longer (2.5 minute version), click here.
Setting: A living room  

__________________

AMELIA

Yes, I think I understand Bingo more than them too. I’m glad you noticed. Some of them still think that if you’re prettier or smarter or people like you more—that you have a better chance of winning…But you don’t. (pause) Well, it’s hard to remember really, what I did before Bingo. I know I just saw it last week, but I guess I didn’t really do too much before it. I just…I stared out the window with my mother…but besides that….oh—I guess I used to look at the stars by myself sometimes. Is that doing something? (pause) Because if I squinted my eyes hard enough, I could see myself on one of those stars. And I’d—END OF EXCERPT
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WHAT MY FANGS ARE FOR
from the 10-minute play, When Marshmallows Burn

While roasting marshmallows with his mom over a campfire, Sammy has grown fur and fangs, in the light of the full moon. He has just run off to the woods to catch a squirrel for a snack. When he returns, blood around his mouth, his mother backs away from him, and asks what he has done. In this monologue, Sammy proudly explains to his mother how he has hunted his first squirrel. When his mom does not respond or seem proud of him, Sammy worries she is mad at him and will not talk to him again. He wonders if she only loved him when he was a human child.

DETAILS:
Genre: Drama/Dark Comedy/Thriller/Teen/Children
Cast: Male/Female/Gender neutral/flexible casting
Age range: 10 years old, but the role may be played by a child, teenager, or young adult
Setting: Outside, around campfire in backyard
Time period: Contemporary
Running time: Around 1 minute
From the play: When Marshmallows Burn

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SAMMY

I ran in the woods, then crouched down and was really quiet. After just a couple of seconds, I saw a squirrel—because, Mom, now I can see in the dark better than normal! So then, I jumped up, super fast, and ran to the squirrel, super super fast! And I put my mouth on the squirrel’s body and chomped down and just started chewing! The fur and bones didn’t even bother me! I guess that’s what my fangs are for. I think I ate most of in, like, 5 bites. That’s good, right? I always thought I was slower than most kids, but now, I might be faster than anyone! (pause) Mom? (pause) You’re proud of me, right (pause) Do you want me to get you a squirrel now? END OF EXCERPT
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WHERE’S YOUR HAND, CHLOE?

ADDISON has been walking through the woods with her friend, Chloe, very late at night in an effort to take a shortcut home from a party. It’s dark, quiet. In a quick moment, Chloe has disappeared. ADDISON calls out to find her, but instead meets a strange, grotesque Being behind a tree. Addison’s panic increases as she sees the bloodied Being holds Chloe’s braid wrapped around its shoulder.

MONOLOGUE DETAILS
Cast: Female (or male)
Age range: teen-adult
Genre: Thriller, Drama, Horror, Suspense
Running time: Approximately 2-2.5 minutes
Setting: In a forest, late at night

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ADDISON

Chloe. Chloe?...Where did you… (hears a noise and turns quickly) Oh, thank God you’re here, Chloe. I looked at my phone for, like, a second and then I didn’t know where you were and it’s so dark out here and does your phone have reception ‘cause mine just lost it? (Silence.) Chloe? Why are you so far away? I wanna hold your hand while we walk because I do not like these woods. Okay, let’s never cut across this way at night again. Why are you behind that tree? You’re being so weird. (pause) Come over here. Chloe? (Holds her phone out as a light to see better. It is not Chloe behind the tree. ADDISON is stunned) You’re…not… (pause) Oh my God you’re not Chloe. Chloe? Who are…END OF EXCERPT Click below for the complete thriller monologue, Where’s Your Hand, Chloe?

WHY THAT WALKING SNOWMAN DIDN’T LIKE ME

MADISON, a popular IG (Instagram) model, sees a snowman come to life in front of her very eyes on Christmas Eve. And sure, of course, Madison knows this is all pretty insane, but it’s also a pretty amazing opportunity for her social media presence. However, as much as she would like, the silent snowman doesn’t seem to be cooperating for her selfie. Is it intimidated? Worried about collabs? She isn’t sure, but she is shocked when the snowman leaves before she can even get a video. It makes no sense why it wouldn’t want to hang out with her and her adorable rescue doggie, Bailey, especially when they both look so cute in their winter outfits. Luckily, Madison has Bailey to help her figure out a reasonable explanation for this disappointment.

DETAILS
Cast: 1-3 actors.* 1 speaking Female. (Optional 1-2 male/female nonspeaking roles: Bailey, the dog and the Snowman)
Age: Teen-young adult
Genre: Comedy
Setting: Outside, winter, snowy, Christmas Eve
Running time: around 4-5 minutes 
*This play may stand alone as a monologue, or if desired, the role of Bailey, the dog, may be added (gender inclusive). Bailey does not speak, but has noted “murmurs” of communication. The role of Snowman may be added as a third non-speaking role (gender inclusive).

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