A monologue is a powerful speech delivered by a single character—often long, often intense, and always a chance to take the spotlight. Whether it’s on stage or screen, it’s that moment when one voice rises above the rest to share something personal, passionate, or profound.
Monologues can take many forms. Sometimes the character is speaking directly to someone else. Other times, they’re talking to the audience or simply thinking out loud. Either way, monologues offer a window into the character’s inner world—showing us their emotions, backstory, or inner conflict. When written and delivered well, a monologue creates a unique one-on-one moment between the character and the audience, building empathy and connection.
Let’s break down a few types of monologues you might encounter (or perform!):
Soliloquy
A soliloquy is a special type of monologue where the character speaks their thoughts out loud—usually alone on stage. It’s raw, revealing, and deeply personal.
Think of it as getting VIP access to a character’s inner world: their dilemmas, desires, fears, and buried emotions. Soliloquies help the audience understand what’s really going on beneath the surface.
You’ll often find soliloquies in Shakespearean plays, where they’re used to explore major turning points in a character’s journey.
Internal Monologue
This is a voiceover-style monologue that isn’t spoken aloud—more like a stream of consciousness. It’s what we hear inside the character’s head, not what they say out loud to others.
Internal monologues are perfect for revealing insecurities, hopes, anxiety, excitement, and all the messy, wonderful things people think but rarely say. They’re common in film and TV, especially when a director wants to show us what a character is really thinking.
Dramatic Monologue
Dramatic monologues are bold, expressive, and full of energy—whether the emotion is rage, heartbreak, humor, or joy. They might start off as part of a dialogue, but they quickly become a character’s solo moment.
These monologues often reflect a deeper emotional truth or theme in the story. And when done right, they can become iconic.
Famous examples include:
- Orlando’s monologue from As You Like It by Shakespeare
- Alec Baldwin’s fiery speech in Glengarry Glen Ross
Why Monologues Matter for Actors
For actors, a monologue is more than a speech—it’s a showcase. It’s your time to demonstrate emotional range, character depth, and storytelling ability. Whether you’re auditioning, training, or performing, mastering the art of monologue is essential.
So the next time you’re prepping one, remember: this is your moment. Make it count.
Ready to find your perfect monologue?
Explore our material suggestions on the Audition Calendar, where you can find recommended monologues for specific plays, styles, and audition types. We’ve got your back every step of the way.
Leave a Reply