Audition Monologues

Monologues give us an idea of expression, grasp of the text, and actors' choices.  The monologue chosen can be any gender.  Use one of the monologues below or find one on your own. Choose something that piques your interest and works best for you. You may also choose a monologue from your favorite book or movie.  Monologue should be memorized.  

TIP Pretend you’re speaking to a real person while reciting your monologue. Who are you talking to? (We don’t need to know the answer). Help the directors imagine who you might be talking to when you present your monologue.  

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Character: Jo March

Context: Jo is an independent and passionate young woman, frustrated by the expectations placed on her as a woman in 19th-century society. In this scene, Jo expresses her desire to be more than just a wife or mother, to have the freedom to chase her dreams, and to create her own future.

Monologue: "I am not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship. I don’t want to be just the girl in the corner. I want to be someone who stands out, who can do something that matters. Why should I be tied down to a life I don’t want? I want more. I want adventure. I want to write, to speak, to make a difference. So I will. I’ll go out there, and I’ll do it. Because I know that I am strong enough to handle whatever comes my way. The world will be different when I’m done with it, and I’ll make sure of it." (Pauses)  "I can’t sit and wait for things to happen to me. I have to go make them happen."

From Matilda by Roald Dahl

Character: Matilda Wormwood

Context: Matilda, an extraordinarily gifted young girl, is speaking about her powers and how she’s tired of being underestimated by the people around her, particularly her parents.

Monologue: "I don’t think you understand, Miss. I’m not just some ordinary little girl. I’m special! I can do things that no one else can do. (Pauses, to herself) I’ve been quiet for so long, but now… now I’m going to speak up. I’m going to show them what I can do, and I’m not going to stop until they see me for who I really am. You don’t have to be a grown-up to make a difference. You just have to believe in yourself."

From The Lion King (Movie)

Character: Simba (young version) 

Context: Simba is struggling with guilt and fear over the death of his father, but he’s learning to take responsibility for his actions and face his past.

Monologue: "I can’t go back, can I? I can’t pretend that everything is okay when I know deep down it’s not. (Pauses) I ran away from everything I was supposed to do, but I can’t run away anymore. I have to go back. I have to face everything I’ve been hiding from. I have to be the king I was meant to be, no matter how scared I am."

From The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Character: Charlie

Context: Charlie, the protagonist, is a thoughtful, introspective teen who struggles with personal issues and tries to make sense of his relationships and his own identity. This monologue reflects his introspection and growing self-awareness.

Monologue: "I don't know what I feel sometimes. I feel everything, and nothing. It’s like being in a crowd but still feeling alone. I think that’s why I write. It helps me figure things out. When I try to talk, it just comes out all wrong. But when I write, I can make sense of it. I can see what I’m really thinking. And sometimes I think that maybe if I understand myself better, I’ll be able to fix things. Or at least make them a little bit easier."

From The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo

Character: Despereaux Tilling

Context: Despereaux, a small mouse with big dreams and an even bigger heart, is speaking about how he refuses to conform to the traditional role of a mouse and instead pursues his dream of heroism.

Monologue: "I’m not like other mice. I’m not afraid of the dark, and I’m not afraid of what’s in it. They tell me I should be quiet and small, hide in the shadows. But I don’t want to be small. I want to be big. I want to do something that matters. I may be small, but I’m brave enough to make my own way. I don’t need anyone’s permission to be what I am. And I won’t stop."

The Day the Crayons Quit

PURPLE CRAYON: Dear Duncan, All right, LISTEN. I love that I'm your favorite crayon for grapes, dragons, and wizards' hats, but it makes me crazy that so much of my gorgeous color goes outside the lines. If you DON'T START COLORING INSIDE the lines soon... I'm going to COMPLETELY LOSE IT. Your very neat friend, Purple Crayon.

Fairies

There’s no such thing as real fairies! Think about it. If they existed, we’d see them caught in our bug zapper. Or we’d feel them get squashed under our bare feet in the grass. If you can’t see them or feel them, they don’t exist. That’s why the only fairy that is real is the Tooth Fairy. I know that for a fact because she leaves me cold, hard cash. Now that’s something you can feel.

Willy Wonka (Charlie & the Chocolate Factory)  

[Challenge: Emotion, diction, text]

WONKA: Wrong, sir! Wrong! Under section 37-B of the contract signed by him, it states quite clearly that all offers shall become null and void if, and you can read it for yourself in this photostatic copy, ‘I, the undersigned, shall forfeit all rights, privileges, and licenses herein and herein contained’, et cetera, et cetera, ‘Fax mentis incendium gloria cultum’, et cetera, et cetera, ‘Memo bis punitor delicatum!’ It’s all there! Black and white! Clear as crystal! You stole Fizzy Lifting drinks! You bumped into the ceiling which now has to be washed and sterilized. So you get nothing! You lose! Good day, sir! … Sir, I said, ‘Good day!’

Dorothy (The Wizard of Oz) 

DOROTHY: But it wasn’t a dream. It was a place. And you and you and you… and you were there. But you couldn’t have been, could you? No. Aunt Em, this was a real, truly live place and I remember some of it wasn’t very nice, but most of it was beautiful; but just the same. All I kept saying to everybody was I want to go home and they sent me home! Doesn’t anybody believe me? But anyway, Toto, we’re home! Home. And this is my room and you’re all here and I’m not gonna leave here ever. Ever again. Because I love you all. And, oh Auntie Em! There’s no place like home!

Wind in the Willows

(Context: Mole and Rat are on an excursion. Mole sees the river for the first time, and asks if this is “a” river? 

RAT: “The River,” (correcting Mole). Yes, I live by it and with it and on it and in it. It’s brother and sister to me, and aunts, and company, and food and drink, and (naturally) washing. It’s my world, and I don’t want any other. What it hasn’t got is not worth having, and what it doesn’t know is not worth knowing. Oh! The times we’ve had together! Whether in winter or summer, spring or autumn, it’s always got its fun and its excitements! When the floods are on in February, and my cellars and basement are brimming with drink that’s no good to me, and the brown water runs by my best bedroom window; or again when it all drops away and shows patches of mud that smell like plum-cake, and the rushes and weed clog the channels, and I can potter about dry-shod over most of the bed of it and find fresh food to eat, and things careless people have dropped out of boats! Haha!

Alice (Alice in Wonderland)

[Challenge: Accent, imaginary circumstances]

ALICE: Why, how impolite of him. I asked him a civil question, and he pretended not to hear me. That’s not at all nice. I say, Mr. White Rabbit, where are you going? Hmmm. He won’t answer me. And I do so want to know what he is late for. I wonder if I might follow him. Why not? There’s no rule that I mayn’t go where I please. I—I will follow him. Wait for me, Mr. White Rabbit. I’m coming, too! How curious. I never realized that rabbit holes were so dark… and so long… and so empty. I believe I have been falling for five minutes, and I still can’t see the bottom! Hmph! After such a fall as this, I shall think nothing of tumbling downstairs. How brave they’ll all think me at home. Why, I wouldn’t say anything about it even if I fell off the top of the house! I wonder how many miles I’ve fallen by this time. I must be getting somewhere near the center of the earth. I wonder if I shall fall right through the earth! How funny that would be. Oh, I think I see the bottom. Yes, I’m sure I see the bottom. I shall hit the bottom, hit it very hard, and oh, how it will hurt!

About Casting  

Our goal is to provide participants the tools they need to participate in an ensemble, and have a fantastic time learning and growing in this group process. We aim to provide as much stage time as possible to every participant, and encourage our cast members to be part of an ensemble group no matter what role they are cast to play. We’re here to enjoy the experience! ​  The casting process takes into consideration various factors including presentations at audition, experience, training, passion, growth, commitment to rehearsals and practice, roles previously played, and last but definitely not least, the chemistry of the cast overall.  The production team maintains the privilege of casting the show as they see fit, and intends to create a well-balanced cast.

Please encourage your young performer to embrace their casting, and remember, there are no small parts!