can i use myself for my monlogue, and change my name???

Question

I have been asked to write a momlogue for my drama class, i want to it on a personal level but so it seems anonymous change my name, is it ok for me to do it like this, but use all my thoughts and feelings at the time of the incident that im doing it on. im a bit stuck and i cant get hold of my tutor to ask her about it.

it has to be written by me,and i want to do it as a dramatic piece, its got to be original, and i have chosen to do it on something personal, but can i change my name to a made up name, so nobody knows its about me. everything else in it will be true just my name will be different

Answer 1

Do it! That is what art is!

"Can You See What I See? Cultivating Self-Expression Through Art

Over the years, educators, psychologists, and philosophers have come to appreciate the value of children’s art and its important role in early childhood education. It is now agreed by many in the field that exploring and creating with art materials helps children become more sensitive to the physical environment (for instance, shape, size, and color); promotes cognitive development (decision-making, nonverbal communication, and problem solving); and increases their social and emotional development (a sense of individuality, appreciation of others’ work, and sharing). Young children who are encouraged to engage in expressive art activities also gain a sense of accomplishment and grow toward achieving independence and autonomy."
http://www.naeyc.org/ece/1998/04.asp

I feel like the same applies to theatrical art! Have fun! Express yourself!

Answer 2

It really depends on the purpose of the monologue. If this were part of a one-man show, you'd absolutely use your own name.

If you were writing a play designed to be performed by other people, you'd probably change it, the way Neil Simon does. Absolutely strict autobiographies usually make lousy plays, because people's lives don't fit into three nice acts, and you'd have to fictionalize a lot of people and events to make them fit.

If it's for an audition... you'd probably want to use somebody else's monologue. You can audition with your own monologue, but it makes it hard for the auditors to really judge your acting talents, and they'd be judging your writing as well as your acting. But if you felt strongly enough about it to use it anyway, you'd probably want to fictionalize it, just so you could pretend it came from a larger work.