Brief monologues for actors are all the time in, nicely, quick provide. Whereas they’re all the time helpful issues for an actor to have the ability to conjure up for an audition or showcase, they are often powerful to trace down. Even if you happen to do discover a chunk of writing in a bigger story you want, you usually battle to offer sufficient context for the piece—which means you find yourself promoting the monologue relatively than your personal abilities. With this in thoughts, we’ve whipped up some quick unique items any actor can decide up and convey to life.

This text comprises a choice of free, quick monologues for actors, every below a minute in size. These monologues had been developed at StageMilk and meant to be used in auditions, scene research, demo reels and self-tapes. They could even be helpful in a showcase or drama class.

Alongside the monologues, we’ve included just a few tips about the way to nail a brief monologue, in addition to some foundational reminders about script evaluation. We’ve additionally linked out to some associated sources on the StageMilk web site. Lastly, we add to those sources often, so be at liberty to examine again in each few weeks to see what’s new!

Up to date twenty seventh December, 2023.

Why Carry out Copyright-Free Scripts?

At the start, it’s a matter of ethics. Most scripts you’ll encounter are protected by copyright. This enables the author who wrote them to feed themselves, pay their lease and maintain writing the fabric you’re keen on a lot. Nonetheless, most actors aren’t utilizing monologues or scenes for direct monetary achieve. There could be a paid gig on the finish of it, however no one’s being paid to audition. In consequence, it’s extraordinarily uncommon to listen to of copyright legal guidelines being enforced for a stack of photocopies you’ve picked up at drama faculty.

So in terms of utilizing copyrighted materials, our recommendation is to pay it ahead if/when you’ll be able to. Can you purchase the author’s work elsewhere, or assist them on one other platform like Patreon? On the very least, strive tagging them in social media or attain out and ask for permission.

The opposite benefit for of performing copyright-free scripts is that the fabric is much less saturated. Much less individuals carry out it, which means that it’s going to really feel contemporary to anyone seeing your work. You’ll get to place your personal stamp on issues, carve out your personal character and journey.

A Fast Word from the Author

Whats up! My title is Alexander Lee-Rekers; I’m knowledgeable playwright and screenwriter, in addition to the writer of many of the scripts on this web page. I hereby offer you permission to use the scenes on this web page for private apply, in addition to showreels and auditions. All I ask is that you simply credit score my work—particularly if you happen to submit it on social media. (In case you’re feeling courageous, you’ll be able to tag me by way of @alexnobodyfamous so I can see what you do with it!) None of those scenes are to be recorded, filmed, staged, re-written, developed or tailored for skilled functions. Moreover, no studying establishments could use these supplies in lessons, for showreel/demo reel filming or any context whereby contributors pay for his or her use (apart from the great folks right here at StageMilk). Authorized stuff apart: go for it!

Free Brief Monologues for Actors

Right here we go: an inventory of free, unique monologues for actors! Every of those items run between 30 seconds and 1 minute, and comprise a various array of genres, characters and conditions. The format of the scripts is the in-house type we use in our on-line Scene Membership, which means that they’re designed to be straightforward to learn. In case you like what you see, think about becoming a member of up for teaching periods every month and the possibility to learn some contemporary, unique materials. You’ll hear it there, first!

We’ve included just a few particulars on casting and efficiency on every script under; every script might be downloaded as a PDF with efficiency notes connected (though be at liberty to ignore these if you happen to like.) Simply don’t let issues like names, genders or ages cease you from making an attempt out materials that resonates with you. Take these extra as tips than hard-and-fast guidelines. You’ll be the very best choose of whether or not or not a script is best for you, and an age/gender swap/whole disregard might be a wonderful problem!

An Eye for Uncommon Birds

Style: Drama/Romance
Synopsis: Hen watcher Ash speaks to a fellow fanatic concerning the origin of her obsession.

Efficiency Notes:

• This piece doesn’t seem to be a pick-up … perhaps that’s what makes Ash so cool. You clearly like this individual you’re chatting with, so attempt to talk that with the way you converse to them, relatively than popping out and saying it. 
• Spend a while fascinated with that (Pause.) That’s a second simply so that you can assume again and revel in that reminiscence. 
• As you converse to them, are you able to learn on their face the way it’s going? Are they listening to you, listening to you? Most significantly, do they get what your intention is at this second?

Blue Cardigan

Style: Drama
Synopsis: Charlotte has proven up on the door of a younger lady who, till just lately, had been conducting an affair together with her husband.

Efficiency Notes:

• What was it like for Charlotte to satisfy her husband’s lover for the primary time? What occurred, if something, earlier than this piece started?
• Are these the phrases Charlotte thought she’d say? The blue cardigan is clearly her goal, however was this method what she’d deliberate, how she thought the interplay may play out?
• This speech spans over two paragraphs. What’s the significance of the pause, of the break on the web page between every part? What occurs in that house in-between?

Rooster with Cheese

Style: Drama
Synopsis: Gus, working the counter at a small city diner, checks over the order of a once-acquaintance.

Efficiency Notes:

• Character relationship is a giant issue on this piece. There’s loads of room for interpretation, for the again story to tell the manner between these two.
• Take into consideration the standing of those characters: who has extra energy within the scene? What occurs if you happen to reverse the dynamic between them? How does it change the scene?
• The primary half of this monologue is a quick meals order. Don’t waste this: use this to set the tone of the scene and the perspective Gus has in the direction of the scene associate.
• There’s one written pause within the scene. However be at liberty to play with silence elsewhere. A personality like Gus can use a second’s pause to hammer their level house.

Driving House

Style: Drama
Synopsis: Getting ready to go away for her household Christmas, Sally asks her roommate in the event that they don’t wish to tag alongside.

Efficiency Notes:

• Sally clearly has loads of affection for her roommate. What’s the story between them? And what occurred with the roommate’s vacation plans? Is it one thing to do with her household?
• What’s the relationship between these two characters? Who would you say has extra energy? Is Sally doing a favour for any person she feels sorry or? Or is she comforting an individual she’s all the time seemed as much as?

Epsom Salts

Style: Comedy
Synopsis: Fen confesses one thing to their associate Niamh in the course of a romantic night.

Efficiency Notes:

• Spend time on the ‘second earlier than’ of this scene: what has pushed Fen to this confession? How has the temper of the night contributed to their guilt and made them converse this painful reality?
• How is Niamh reacting as they hear this? How does their face look, their physique language? Simply because this scene has no dialogue doesn’t imply it’s not two characters speaking.
• Take note of the sentence construction and punctuation on this speech: what do lengthy, run-on sentences counsel about Fen’s mind-set at this second? How may they be apologising, second-guessing or justifying with dashes and ellipses that interrupt their very own trains of thought?

Simply Stuff

Style: Drama
Synopsis: Three days after her mom’s funeral, Bella is clearing out her previous bed room within the household house.

Efficiency Notes:

• Bella’s coping with loads of baggage on this piece. She’s feeling ache and grief, however largely guilt that her upset hasn’t manifested in the way in which she thought it would … or ought to. And whereas she says she feels nothing, the anguish of her guilt might be the sensation she’s searching for.
• Who’s Greta? Take into consideration this character as any person who makes you are feeling secure, who you might be trustworthy and open with. 
• As an train, strive mapping out Bella’s relationship together with her mom. When the phrases aren’t express on the web page, it’s as much as you to discover a plausible historical past these two can share.

No Good to Come From Talking

Style: Drama
Synopsis: Sensing a occupation of affection from her greatest good friend, Harriet jumps in to allow them to down gently.

Efficiency Notes:

• Look at the stakes of this scene: set up the best- and worst-case state of affairs on this second. What does Harriet stand to lose if this goes flawed?
• The place is Pip in all this? How are they reacting, what are they doing? Don’t be afraid to lean on pauses and silences on this speech; use them to examine in with Pip.
• What was it that prompted this speech from Harriet? It’s one of many hardest conversations to have with a good friend. What made them not solely have the dialog however take the initiative?

Speech to the Gamers

Style: Comedy/Drama
Synopsis: Anthony, dungeon grasp of a table-top role-playing recreation, lays down the legislation for his unruly gamers.

Efficiency Notes:

• Anthony’s (a bit bit) the villain of his personal story. Take into consideration his motive, his goal, and the way which may justify his anger and the phrases of this monologue.
• Likewise: how do the given circumstances of this scene contribute to the character’s discomfort. Is it late at evening? The place are they? What’s come earlier than this which may provoke Anthony into anger?
• This piece is firmly rooted within the comedy style; nonetheless, keep away from making enjoyable of Anthony, or letting on how ridiculous you may assume his fervour is. For him, this must be 100% severe. Discover his tragedy and also you’ll nail the comedy.

Stroll the Canine

Style: Comedy
Synopsis: Carlo speaks to a good friend about his pointless interest.

Efficiency Notes:

• Who’s Carlo chatting with on this scene? Who may this speech be meant for? As an extension to this concept, what may his goal be? What does he wish to achieve from this individual by telling them this?
• Do some character examine on Carlo. This scene is radically totally different primarily based on who he’s: is that this a high-flying litigation lawyer talking, or a burnout who’s by no means labored a day in his life?
• Discover imagery on this piece: how does Carlo converse concerning the numerous concepts/adventures on this monologue? Is there remorse in his voice when he speaks concerning the cupcakes changing into a enterprise? Is there stress when he talks about stress? How does he change when he begins to speak about his new, ineffective interest?

Incorrect Room

Style: Comedy/Drama
Synopsis: Floyd walks into a gathering room containing his chilly, calculating boss, to chase a promotion.

Efficiency Notes:

• What does Floyd need from his boss on this scene? Is he trying to blackmail him, or is that this a real second of looking for his superior? Because the script doesn’t make it clear, it’s as much as you to find out the place his loyalty lies (if it does in any respect.)
• Play with pauses and silence on this piece. Give the boss the possibility to reply. And when he doesn’t, how does that make Floyd really feel? Assured to go on, nervous that he’s put a foot out of line? 
• Is that this a victory for Floyd? A loss? Perhaps a stalemate? Take into consideration what adjustments on this scene: with out change for a personality, a scene has no objective to exist. Why did the author present us this second, and never one other–maybe when Floyd or the boss play their hand in a extra apparent vogue?

A Brief Assertion

Style: Drama
Synopsis: Following a high-profile scandal involving her husband, Bethany addresses a crowd of reporters on the entrance gates of her home.

Efficiency Notes:

• So what occurred? That is the very first thing so that you can deal with because the actor. As there is no such thing as a direct clue within the textual content, it’s your job to invent a believable backstory that Bethany may have the ability to converse to.
• In relation to John’s guilt (and the way a lot Bethany is aware of/believes him), that is additionally so that you can decide. A small change on this regard can drastically alter how this scene performs out. No matter your alternative, do not forget that her goal is to persuade the media that he’s harmless–it doesn’t matter what her private view or data could also be.

• Pay cautious consideration to subtext on this scene. What’s not being mentioned, what’s being inferred?

Beat Me to the Door

Style: Drama
Synopsis: Cornered by a loud, antagonistic man at his native bar, Mason stands to confront the person.

Efficiency Notes:

• Mason is a troublesome character with loads of standing. In bringing that high quality to life on this monologue. How does this manifest in the way in which he speaks, stands, navigates the interplay?
• Play with the given circumstances of the scene. What time of evening is it? Is the bar crowded? How drunk is the individual you’re speaking to? And what occurred proper earlier than this second that brought on you to lastly get up and say all of this?
• Do extra with much less. Experiment with tempo, with pauses. No person with braveness feels the necessity to flex it: it’s what separates him from the individual he’s chatting with.

Recommendations on How one can Carry out a Brief Monologue

The important thing to nailing a brief monologue is making it really feel half of a bigger story. Your viewers will obtain no context, so no matter you can provide them as to character relationships, story world and bigger narrative will come solely from you.

Nonetheless, don’t exit of your solution to invent unusual and attention-grabbing issues to your viewer to be delighted/shocked/horrified by. Use script evaluation to floor your interpretation: your character’s goal, their actions/techniques to attain their objectives, the given circumstances that counsel the time and place of the monologue.

One last reminder: each monologue is an element of a bigger dialog, a communication between your character and one other. Simply since you’re saying all of the phrases doesn’t imply your scene associate isn’t reacting, feeling and performing reverse you. Even if you happen to’re performing a self-tape and your scene associate is imagined: convey ’em to life to your viewers.

Extra Free Script Sources

This text is the most recent in our sequence of free, unique script sources. So if you happen to’re searching for any further materials, be at liberty to take a look at:

For added sources concerning monologues:

Lastly, StageMilk has a lot of pre-existing monologues at your disposal:

Irrespective of the rationale you’re selecting a monologue, give your self time to go searching, experiment, see what you want. Keep in mind that “the proper monologue doesn’t exist” and discover one thing as an alternative that fits you, that you need to use to make you look good. Past all of that: have enjoyable. Most pleasant factor you’ll be able to present to an viewers.

Good luck!