For Younger Girls (Ages 8-12)
Theme: Family and Friendships
* "The Little Girl Who Lost Her Name" from "The Little Girl Who Lost Her Name" by Tony Award-winning playwright Lanie Robertson: This monologue is about a young girl who has lost her name and is trying to find it. It is a fun and heartwarming monologue that allows the actress to show off her range.
* "I Have a Friend" from "The Velveteen Rabbit" by Margery Williams: This monologue is about a young girl who is deeply attached to her toy rabbit and talks about her feelings for it. It allows the actress to express innocence and love.
* "The Birthday Party" from "The Paper Bag Princess" by Robert Munsch: This is a humorous and empowering monologue about a princess who has to save her prince from a dragon, but she doesn't have the typical princess clothes and looks. It's a great opportunity for the young actress to show off her comedic timing.
Theme: Dealing with Difficult Situations
* "The Bully" from "The Paper Bag Princess" by Robert Munsch: This monologue is about a young girl who has to deal with a bully. This allows the actress to express emotions like fear, anger, and resilience.
* "The New Kid" from "The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" by Sherman Alexie: This monologue is about a young girl who is the new kid at school and is trying to make friends. This allows the actress to show off her vulnerability and courage.
For Teenage Girls (Ages 13-18)
Theme: Identity and Growing Up
* "The Diary of Anne Frank" by Frances Goodrich and Albert Hackett: Choose a passage that focuses on Anne's struggle with her own identity and her desire for freedom and connection. This is a classic monologue that allows the actress to show off her maturity and depth.
* "The American Crisis" by Wendy Wasserstein: This monologue is about a young girl who is struggling with the expectations of being a teenager in America. It is funny and insightful and allows the actress to show off her comedic timing and her ability to connect with the audience.
* "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller: Choose a passage that shows Abigail Williams' desire for power, her manipulative nature, or her struggles with guilt and anger. This monologue allows the actress to show off her intensity and her ability to play a complex character.
Theme: Relationships and Family
* "The Importance of Being Earnest" by Oscar Wilde: Choose a passage from Cecily Cardew's dialogue that focuses on her romantic longing, her desire for adventure, or her witty observations. This monologue allows the actress to show off her comedic timing and her ability to play a charming and intelligent character.
* "A Streetcar Named Desire" by Tennessee Williams: Choose a passage from Stella Kowalski's dialogue that focuses on her loyalty to her family, her relationship with her husband Stanley, or her feelings about her sister Blanche. This monologue allows the actress to show off her emotional range and her ability to play a complex character.
Theme: Social Issues
* "The Laramie Project" by Moisés Kaufman and Tectonic Theater Project: Choose a passage from one of the many characters that deals with the aftermath of the murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay man. This allows the actress to show off her ability to connect with the audience on an emotional level and explore difficult themes like hate crimes and homophobia.
* "The Insanity of Mary Girard" by Lanie Robertson: This play is about a young woman who is put on trial for witchcraft in 18th century America. This monologue allows the actress to show off her ability to play a powerful and courageous character.
Tips for Choosing a Monologue
* Know your age range: Choose a monologue that is appropriate for your age and maturity level.
* Consider the play: Choose a monologue from a play that you are interested in and that you think you would be good in.
* Focus on your strengths: Choose a monologue that highlights your strengths as an actress.
* Practice, Practice, Practice: Practice your monologue until you are comfortable with it and can deliver it with confidence.
* Be yourself: Don't try to be someone you're not. Let your personality shine through.
Remember, the best monologues are the ones that allow you to connect with the audience on an emotional level. Good luck with your audition!