Acting Monologues - article by MOREinfo-About.com

Acting Monologues

Obviously when acting in a play in the theatre or on film, the basic acting skills apply. Ability to deliver lines effectively, good command of body language, appropriate facial expression which convincingly convey thought and emotion. These are skills which any competent actor employs when acting for any medium.

When a monoluge is the vehicle for an actor's perforrmance, his/her acting abilities must be of sufficient depth and breadth to create the total character and environment without the support of other actors or props to supplement his acting abilities.

Comedians, or stand-up comics, and even night talk-show hosts on television, often deliver monologues as a preface to a show. In a sense, this is not "acting" a monologue, but simply delivering joke lines in a series.

Conversely, a monologue as a segment of a serious role, such as the monologues found in Shakespearean tragedy, requires sound acting ability for successful delivery. Hamlet's monologue "To be or not to be" is one of the most famous of all time and has challenged many great actors when acting the role. It is also a monologue which is often a favorite among students during acting training.

Some monologues are written as declamatory pieces delivered by students in acting competitions, particularly among secondary schools. Acting these monologues is excellent training for students, teaching the importance of clear speech, good stage presence and vocal expression, which go beyond the realm of acting into everyday life

Occasionally in community theatre an evening's program may consist of a number of monologues showcasing the acting abilities of various actors in the theatre. Such an evening of monologue acting can be an interesting change from a single play. If is also a way to showcase the acting abilities of a number of performers, each in a leading role.

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