Expert: John T. Aney - 4/9/2009

Question
Hi, I am supposed to be performing a monologue for my AS drama practical exam and am having some difficulties making it a bit more interesting. I have added some movements and vary my voice but have you got any more tips? It is quite a sad monologue about a woman talking about her past. Any advice would be great. Thanks.

Answer
First of all, any movements you make or variations in your voice should come as a result of choices you make as the character, not just to make the monologue more interesting.  Think deeply about the character - what about her past is the most sad for her? What does she think others will find most sad?  What if anything pleases her about the story she is telling?  WHY is she telling the story?

Ask yourself these questions and more - read the play that the monologue is from to help you out.  A monologue is interesting if it brings someone to life, and if it shows strong choices being made.

Identify how you are like the character - find something in your past that you can relate to with regards to the sadness, and build upon that.

Good luck.

jta