Monologues – Short Monologues
Concise yet impactful, short monologues are perfect for actors looking to showcase their talent and range through a brief performance lasting two minutes or less. Covering a range of emotions, characters and situations in just a few moments on stage or screen, they’re ideal for auditions, class exercises or home practice.
In this collection of short monologues, we’ve focused on providing options that cover a variety of genres and that suit actors of all experience levels. Brief and easy to learn, these monologues let you explore, dive deep and have some fun with your performances.
Short Movie Monologues
Packing a powerful punch, these short movie monologues offer actors a chance to deliver unforgettable moments of character insight, emotion and storytelling in just a few lines. These iconic speeches bring depth to the characters delivering them and are often some of the most memorable moments within the films themselves.
The Shawshank Redemption
Red:
‘I have no idea to this day what those two Italian ladies were singing about. Truth is, I don’t wanna know. Some things are best left unsaid. I like to think they were singing about something so beautiful it can’t be expressed in words, and makes your heart ache because of it. I tell you, those voices soared higher and farther than anybody in a grey place dares to dream. It was like some beautiful bird flapped into our drab little cage and made those walls dissolve away, and for the briefest of moments, every last man at Shawshank felt free.’
Million Dollar Baby
Maggie:
‘I’m 32, Mr. Dunn. And I’m here celebratin’ the fact that I spent another year scrapin’ dishes and waitressin’ which is what I’ve been doin’ since 13. And according to you, I’ll be 37 ‘fore I can even throw a decent punch, which I have to admit, after workin’ on this speed bag for a month and getting nowhere, may be the God’s simple truth. Other truth is, my brother’s in prison, my sister cheats on welfare by pretendin’ one of her babies is still alive, my daddy’s dead, and my momma weighs 312 pounds. If I was thinkin’ straight, I’d go back home, find a used trailer, buy a deep fryer and some Oreos.
Problem is, this is the only thing I ever felt good doin’. If I’m too old for this, then I got nothin’. That enough truth to suit you?’
Short Theatre Monologues
These theatre monologues are powerful moments in performance that give you the chance to take centre stage. Expressing the innermost thoughts, emotions or conflicts of a character, these solo speeches allow actors to fully immerse themselves in their roles. Captivating audiences with raw emotion and storytelling, these monologues mark pivotal moments in each story on stage.
Cat On A Hot Tin Roof
Margaret:
‘Oh Brick. I get so lonely. Living with someone you love can be lonelier than living entirely alone when the one you love doesn’t love you. You can’t even stand drinking out of the same glass can you? … No! No, I wouldn’t.
Why can’t you lose your good looks Brick? Most drinking men lose theirs. Why can’t you? I think you’ve even gotten better looking since you weren’t on the bottle. You were such a wonderful love. … You were so exciting to be in love with. Mostly I guess because you were … If I thought you’d never ever make love to me again, why I’d find me the longest sharpest knife I could and I’d stick it straight into my heart. I’d do that. Oh Brick how long does this have to go on, this punishment? Haven’t I served my term? Can’t I apply for a pardon? … Is it any wonder. You know what I feel like? I feel all the time like a cat on a hot tin roof.’
Oklahoma
Jud:
‘I bet you don’t remember as much as me. I remember everything you ever done; every word you ever said. I can’t think of nuthin’ else. You see how it is? I see. I ain’t good enough fer you, am I? I’m a hired hand. Got dirt on my hands, pigslop. Ain’t fittin’ to touch you. We’ll see who’s better, Miss Laurey Williams. Then maybe you won’t be so free and highfilootin’ with yer airs. You’re such a FINE lady! I TOLD YOU THE WAY IT WAS, AND YOU WOULDN’T LISTEN! Well, you ain’t NEVER gonna be rid of me.’
Short Comedic Monologues
Providing a fantastic opportunity for actors to showcase their humour, timing and personality, these comedic monologues deliver layered, witty performances that engage and entertain. Focused on relatable, everyday situations, these monologues allow you to explore the art of comedy and bring laughter to the stage or screen.
Bridesmaids (Film)
Megan:
‘I think you’re ready to hear a little story about a girl named Megan who didn’t have a very good time in high school. I’m referring to myself when I say Megan, it’s me Megan. I know you look at me now and think, boy she must have breezed through high school. Not the case Annie. This was not easy going up and down the halls with. They used to try to blow me up. People used to throw firecrackers on my head in high school. Firecrackers, literally, not figuratively. They called me a freak. Do you think I let that stop me? Do you think I went home crying to my mommy, “Oh, I don’t have any friends.” I did not. You know what I did? I pulled myself up, I studied hard, I read every book in the library and now I work for the government and have the highest possible security clearance. Don’t repeat that. I cannot protect you. I know where all the nukes are and I know the codes.
You would be amazed – a lot of shopping malls. Don’t repeat that.’
Schitts Creek (TV Series)
David:
’Hi, David, it’s Patrick. I, um…was just calling to run my business plan, uh, by you in a little more detail. So, feel free to give me a call back, and I will be happy to walk you through it. OK, ciao!
(hangs up)
“Ciao.” I said “ciao” to that person.
(calls again to leave another voicemail)
Hi, Patrick. Yeah, I think I…I think I called you David. Which that’s not…that’s not your name. You can just delete that text…the mess—uh, the voicemail that I left you. Um, just thought it might be a good idea to give you some background information about…the…the store. It’s basically a general store, um, that will support local artists under the brand of the store, which…which would also be my brand.
(phone dings)
Sorry, I just got a text. Oh, God.
(hangs up, then calls voicemail again)
Sorry, the text cut us off…’
Short Dramatic Monologues
Short dramatic monologues offer a brief but fascinating glimpse into a character’s inner world, capturing intense emotions and pivotal moments. Whether exploring grief, love, anger or self-reflection, these monologues provide actors with the opportunity to showcase raw vulnerability and deep emotional range in a concise yet powerful performance.
Steel Magnolias (Film)
M’Lynn:
‘I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m fine, I’m FINE! I can jog all the way to Texas and back, but my daughter can’t!! She never could!! Oh, God. I’m so mad, I don’t know what to do!! I wanna know why! I wanna know WHY Shelby’s life is over!! I wanna know HOW that baby will EVER know how wonderful his mother was. Will he EVER know what she went THROUGH for him?
Oh, God, I wanna know whyyyy! Whhhyyyyy?! Lord, I wish I could understand. No! No! No! It’s not supposed to happen this way. I’m supposed to go first. I’ve always been ready to go first. I-I don’t think I can take this. I-I don’t think I can take this. I just wanna hit somebody til they feel as bad as I do! I JUST WANNA HIT SOMETHING! I WANNA HIT IT HARD!’
The Glass Menagerie (Play)
Tom:
‘I didn’t go to the moon. I went much further–for time is the longest distance between two places. Not long after that I was fired for writing a poem on the lid of a shoebox. I left St. Louis. I descended the steps of the fire escape for a last time and followed, from then on, in my father’s footsteps, attempting to find in motion what was lost in space. I traveled around a great deal. The cities swept about me like dead leaves, leaves that were brightly coloured but torn away from their branches. I would have stopped, but I was pursued by something. It always came upon me unawares, taking me altogether by surprise. Perhaps it was a familiar bit of music. Perhaps it was only a piece of transparent glass. Perhaps I am walking along a street at night, in some strange city, before I have found companions. I pass the lighted window of a shop where perfume is sold. The window is filled with pieces of coloured glass, tiny transparent bottles in delicate colours, like bits of a shattered rainbow. Then all at once my sister touches my shoulder. I turn around and look into her eyes. Oh Laura, Laura, I tried to leave you behind me, but I am more faithful than I intended to be! I reach for a cigarette, I cross the street, I run into the movies or a bar, I buy a drink, I speak to the nearest stranger–anything that can blow your candles out! For nowadays the world is lit by lightning! Blow out your candles, Laura – and so goodbye…’
Short TV Monologues
Not limited to stage and screen, TV series can also include powerful stories told directly to the audience and are often just as memorable and award-winning. From dramatic confessions to painful self-reflection, impassioned please and more, these monologues are well worth a look.
Fleabag
Fleabag:
‘I want someone to tell me what to wear in the morning. No, I want someone to tell me what to wear every morning. I want someone to tell me what to eat. What to like. What to hate. What to rage about. What to listen to. What band to like. What to buy tickets for. What to joke about. What not to joke about. I want someone to tell me what to believe in. Who to vote for and who to love and how to…tell them. I just think I want someone to tell me how to live my life, Father, because so far, I think I’ve been getting it wrong. And I know that’s why people want someone like you in their lives, because you just tell them how to do it. You just tell them what to do and what they’ll get out of the end of it, even though I don’t believe your bullshit and I know that scientifically nothing that I do makes any difference in the end, anyway, I’m still scared. Why am I still scared? So just tell me what to do. Just fucking tell me what to do, Father.’
Game Of Thrones
Tyrion:
‘I wish to confess. I saved you. I saved this city. All your worthless lives. I should have let Stannis kill you all. Yes, Father, I’m guilty. Guilty. Is that what you want to hear? I didn’t poison the king. Of that I’m innocent. I’m guilty of a far more monstrous crime. I’m guilty of being a dwarf. I’ve been on trial for that my entire life. I did not do it. I did not kill Joffrey, but I wish that I had. Watching your vicious bastard die gave me more relief than a thousand lying whores. I wish I was the monster you think I am! I wish I had enough poison for the whole pack of you. I would gladly give my life to watch you all swallow it. I will not give my life for Joffrey’s murder, and I know I’ll get no justice here, so I will let the Gods decide my fate. I demand a trial by combat.’
Need something different or a little longer? Be sure to check our wider monologue library for even more options.
Billy Milionis is one of the few Australians to have ever studied under the legendary master teacher, the late Sanford Meisner. Billy has also studied story structure and scene analysis techniques with John Truby and later at UCLA. He has also spent several years doing improvisation in Hollywood with the L.A. Connection. In addition, he trained in the technique of Stella Adler, Practical Aesthetics and Lee Strasberg’s method.