THE OBJECTIVE:
To create and perform a “monologue” from your own life experiences.
Using a list of thought-provoking questions as a starting point, you will choose a couple of questions to get you thinking about your feelings, experiences, plans for the future, etc. Your responses to some of the questions are designed to give you ideas for writing about yourself.
The monologue can be humorous, serious, straight-forward or any combination. The idea is to write something so that when you take the stage, you are telling your own story, in your own words, but in the form of a monologue.
- Read over the questions, adapted from “The Actor’s Personal Biography” [RAISING THE CURTAIN, “Creating Charismatic Characters,” pp. 204-205]. There many more questions than you need.
- Also, read over an example of how a monologue could be written from one of the questions. Use it simply as a guide – yours will probably be much more interesting.
- Find three or four questions that you feel you can respond to easily. Just write your “raw” answers to them. If you can write more than a paragraph or two in response to them, that’s probably a good question for you to use.
- If you’ve answered one question at length (three paragraphs or so). Read it out loud to yourself and listen to how it sounds. After reading it, make any revisions you feel are necessary: edit, expand, clarify your thoughts.
- It is also acceptable to combine two responses into one monologue.
- Practice the monologue out loud, as if you would a monologue from a play. Remember, this time, you aren’t ACTING!
- You are sharing part of your own life; strive to share it honestly.
- You may title the monologue as you wish; one suggestion is to use the original question (i.e., “Boo-Boo the Bear – A girl’s best friend,” or “Surviving wrestling camp,” or “What do you mean I’m not a pretty princess?”)
- The monologue should be at least a page long – handwritten. It certainly could be longer, but the most important thing is that it allows you to share an aspect of your life, as if you were a character in a play.
- It’s not really a monologue until you perform it for others. Perform your creation and be yourself.
Questions:
- Describe some of the different places you have lived in your life. How do you feel about them?
- Recall a favorite birthday. Recall your saddest birthday.
- What was your favorite childhood piece of furniture? What is your favorite piece now?
- Recall your favorite summer. Recall your least favorite.
- What was your favorite childhood song? Why is it a favorite?
- Recall any serious accidents or illnesses you have had.
- What was the first play dance recital, or public presentation that you remember?
- Tell about an important teacher you have had. What did you learn from this teacher or how did they inspire you?
- How did you learn to drive? Do you have a scary driving incident? If so, describe that time.
- Who gave you your first kiss? How did it make you feel?
- Write about other important firsts.
- Tell about a sad memory of your life.
- What was your favorite security object as a child? What happened to it?
- What is the most money you have had at one time? What did you do with it?
- What book touched and influenced your life?
- Have you ever had any close brushes with death? Describe the time (or times).
- Have you reached a turning point in your life? If so, describe the moment or time and how it changed the direction of your life.
- Describe the experiences and feelings if you have lost someone close to you or a pet?
- What defenses do you use to keep people from knowing you?
- What is the most daring thing you have done?
- What behavior would you like to stop?
- What is the greatest joy in your life?
- What is the one memento or piece of memorabilia you will never throw away?
- What is your higher power? Who inspires you?
