Finding Free Monologues

Acting Articles

WANTED: Single, intelligent actor seeks 1 to 2 minute acting monologue for long term relationship. Must have a comedic or dramatic style with a lot of emotional depth.

If only it were that simple! One of the biggest challenges an actor faces -- along with getting a headshot that really looks like him -- is finding the perfect audition monologue. Many actors go to their local bookstore and browse through the shelves trying to decide which monologue book to buy.

Monologue books can be useful to familiarize yourself with various playwrights' writing style but the main issue with choosing a monologue from a book is that you're certainly not the only actor who'll be using that monologue to audition with. Casting directors cringe when they hear "over-used" monologues.

So where do I find useable free audition monologues?

The most obvious and often over-looked place to find audition monologues is directly from the source from which they originally came -- plays. Any good acting teacher worth his weight in gold will tell you the many benefits of reading all the plays you can get your hands on on a regular basis, and you'll be surprised how many potential monologues you'll come across. There are thousands of published plays -- full length, one-acts, 10-minute scenes -- that contain monologues that are virtually unused by actors in auditions.

Once you find, memorize, and rehearse one of these monologues, the payoff will be when the casting director says, "Wow, that was great! What play was that from?" It will be obvious that you're an intelligent, hard-working actor who does his homework and works hard to stand out from the crowd.

To get started, all you need to do is choose one playwright whose work you admire and can relate to. Get a copy of all the plays published by him and start reading. When you've read everything by that playwright, choose another one and start the cycle all over again. Set some goals for yourself to help you stay on track. Read a play every week or every month. As long as you are consistently reading plays, you'll come across plenty of audition monologues you can use. You'll also become a better, well-educated actor by familiarizing yourself with the profession you want to pursue.

Oh yea, don't forget to check out our » Monologues Directory « containing over 125 complete monologues!

May 17 2007

Martha Mejia on Jul 16 2007

This is such a helpful article. I wish it wasn't this late, because now I feel like going to the library and getting all kinds of plays. Thanks...

tara on Aug 26 2007

Hey, thank you so much! You give great advice!

staci on Dec 03 2007

ok. I looked here a million times and you keep saying that you have a bunch of monologues but there aren't any.

This is getting irritating. Editor's Note: Hi Staci, please see http://www.actorpoint.com/free_monologues/0a.html for our Female Monologues Directory.

Logan on Dec 21 2007

I don't want to complain or anything but I just tried the website » Monologues Directory « and it says Internet explorer cannot open? This is probably a technical issue. Just a heads up.
Editor's Note: Thanks for the heads up, Logan. That may be a temporary tech issue. You can see the male monologues directly at http://www.actorpoint.com/free_monologues/0.html and the female monologues directly at http://www.actorpoint.com/free_monologues/0a.html

Natasha Stephens on Jan 19 2008

Hi I was looking at some of the monologues on this sight and found one I liked called Misplaced Angel... does anyone know if thats a real play or not? And if it is where I can get it to read?Editor's Note: From our research, We believe that monologue is a stand-alone piece and not published. If anyone can provide additional info, it'd be much appreciated!

Mally on Feb 13 2008

I need an audition monologue for a teenage girl. I want something that is happy, friendly, and comedic. Where should I look and what plays are good for me if I am looking for this type of monologue? Also, I have looked at your website and I do not want the typical boy meets girl or breaks up with girl plot.

kayla on Feb 20 2008

Hi, I am looking for a dramatic monologue for a teenager about getting hit by a car, do you have anything specific?

Brandon Wiley on Mar 02 2008

Hello!
My name's Brandon and I am auditioning for my high school Media & Arts program. The paper says that I must learn and memorize 2 monologues and perform them while in character. I don't want anything too long. I am only 13. I would like to have a comic monologue and then a dramatic or contemporary one. Please help me find one! I need to learn the monologues before the end of March! PLEASE HELP ME! Thanks so much!

Patrice M. Broderick on Mar 11 2008

I need a comedic monolog and would like to have one of Gracie Allen to go with the one joke I already have.
profiler1@lavernia.net

Lauren on Mar 18 2008

Hey, the monologues you have on your website are really awesome. I saw on one of the earlier comments a question about whether or not the monologue was from a published play...a lot of auditions require monologues to be from published plays, and I don't know if it's possible but it would be really amazing if there was a way that you could specify whether or not the monologues were from published plays...also, the people who are asking for monologue recommendations, seriously guys, you have to find your own monologues, something that you can connect with, otherwise, the monologue will probably sound fake when you go to recite it...that's what I've been told by my drama teachers since like, 3rd grade... FYI ...but back to my original point, it would be spectacular if there was an easy way to differentiate between monologues that are, and aren't, from published plays! Thank you!!!

Ricky on Apr 16 2008

Gee,

Thanks alot! Everything was very helpful from start to finish. Keep up the good work!!!