Monologues
Essential Knowledge for Competency 1
What is a monologue anyway...
mon·o·logue��a long speech by one actor in a play or movie, or as part of a theatrical or broadcast program.�synonyms: soliloquy, speech, address, lecture, sermon, homily; formaloration�"he quickly launches into another manic monologue"�
a long and typically tedious speech by one person during a conversation.�"Fred carried on with his monologue as if I hadn't spoken"
Actors & Actresses often have to do monologues to audition for parts in movies or dramas.
Emma Stone on relating to the film La La Land:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEIKmxr8z9E&t=1s
“The Fools Who Dream” Audition:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEIKmxr8z9E&t=1s
Here is an example:
Movie: Clueless
Actress: Alicia Silverstone as Cher Horowitz
CHER HOROWITZ, is asked to give a serious, academic speech for her debate class-- an assignment she was not prepared to give.
CHER HOROWITZ leaves her seat and practically bounces to the debate podium, facing her high school debate class.
CHER HOROWITZ
(Valley Girl vocal fry)
So, OK, like right now, for example, the Haitians need to come to America. But some people are all, “What about the strain on our resources?” But it’s like, when I had this garden party for my father’s birthday right? I said R.S.V.P. because it was a sit-down dinner. But people came that like, did not R.S.V.P. so I was like, totally bugging. I had to haul ass to the kitchen, redistribute the food, squish in extra place settings, but by the end of the day it was like, the more the merrier! And so, if the government could just get to the kitchen, rearrange some things, we could certainly party with the Haitians. And in conclusion, may I please remind you that it does not say R.S.V.P. on the Statue of Liberty?
Now let’s watch it...
More examples...
More examples...
And some more...
Who did it better...
In the play “Fences,” the protagonist Troy Maxsom is asked by his son Cory if he is liked by his father. Watch two different actors, James Earl Jones and Denzel Washington, each deliver their performance of the same monologue.
Who did it better...
Directions:
Pretend that you are directing a production of “Fences.” Which actor’s performance did you prefer? Was the actor’s portrayal convincing? Explain why or why not.
Be able to defend your opinions