Monologue

At its most basic level, a monologue is a speech given by a character. However, it’s important to remember that the monologue is not just a single moment within a play, but connected to the larger character development and storytelling within the show. Monologues serve a variety of functions. They can provide exposition, raise the stakes of the conflict, reveal vital information, propel the story forward, reflect on recent events … the list goes on. Once the purpose of the monologue is discovered, the actor can begin the process of analyzing, rehearsing, and ultimately performing the piece.

This guide will take you through the process of performing a monologue, from determining the character's goals to discovering how those goals will be achieved. The monologue will be connected to the larger intentions of the character and the storytelling of the play as a whole.

Terminology

• Analysis: Process of examining the pieces of the text in order to better understand it.
• Beat: A unit of action within a monologue, scene, or play.
• Blocking: The movement and gestures used in staging.
• Expectation: The character’s desired outcome that motivates the monologue.
• Given Circumstances: The information provided by the playwright about the character and situation.
• G.O.T.E.: An acronym for Goal-Obstacle-Tactic-Expectation, developed by Robert Cohen.
• Moment Before: The event or idea that prompts the monologue.
• Monologue: A speech given by a character.
• Notation: The notes made on the text, including analysis, beats, and blocking.
• Objective: The desired goal of the character.
• Obstacle: The person or thing standing in the way of a character achieving their objective.
• “Other”: Related to obstacle, the person or thing a character struggles against.
• Scansion: The process of determining the rhythm of a line, usually a line in verse.
• Soliloquy: A speech given by a character that reveals inner thoughts only shared with the audience.
• Tactic: The methods a character uses to achieve their objective, identified as actable verbs.