13 Y.O. Monologue? Memorization?

Question

I'm trying out for a play at my local theatre production company (its kind of a low budget place but they produce fabulous plays). I have to perform a 2 minute monologue as a male charachter (I am female). First problem:

I have two monologues in mind:
http://www.monologuearchive.com/t/twain_... (I think its too young for me but I'm not sure, the charachter is 10 or 11)
http://www.ispgroupinc.com/monologues/fr... (I think its too old for the charachter and I'm having troubles memorizing it ad acting as the character)

Problem 2:

I do not have a good monologue memory! I can memorize lines once I'm in the play really well but the monologues kill me! How can I memorize it properly? I have about a month left.

PostScript: do you know of any good monologues 2 minutes or under?

Answer 1

How to memorize a monologue?

Hi,

With regard to memorizing monologues, there are different ways, but you might try this.

Read it over several times to your self and aloud to get the jist of what it is about, know the characters in the play, understand why your character is saying what he or she is saying, know the meaning of EACH AND EVERY word in the context of the era. If you have time to read the entire story, it is a plus. It will help you understand better what you are saying and why and how your character probably feels about what he/she is saying.

All that alone, should help you feel more comfortable. Then
you might start as if you are inching along. First start with the first part of the first sentence, then move on memorizing it until you can go all the way through the entire monologue.
Once you have it down pretty good, even if it's not perfect, put the paper down and rehearse it remembering what you can, but concentrating more on the FEELING of what you are saying. If you don't remember the exact words, use your own word. Sort of improvize. Do that a couple of times and then go back to finishing to memorize to perfection.

This is not the only way, but this is a way that works for me. There are other twists and things to consider, but this is a quick guide for you that might help you memorize your lines.
This whole process might take a day or it might take a week. It depends on you, how long and complex the monologue is, on your ability to memorize and other things as well.
If you are totally at a loss, you might try what I suggested.

Good luck!

Tony
ceo
http://www.actingcareerstartup.com/acs-blog.html

Answer 2

in the end, go with the one you are more comfortable with.

And if you can memorize regular play lines, treat the monologue like that. After each line or two, pretend someone just responded, and the next lines are your response and what not. After you have that down perfectly, start doing your lines without pausing between them. Pretty soon you'll have the words to the monologue down. Wait for the words before you worry about the character.

Answer 3

You have plenty of time to memorize the monologue. Just read it whenever you can and try to memorize the first couple of lines and then slowly progress till the end.For me, writing it down helps.

Answer 4

monologues for a girl playing a boy: Rosalind in As You Like It
epilogue. Puck in Midsummer Night's Dream

Answer 5

Hi Michelle,

Unfortunately, the two links you provided seem to be incomplete, so I can't properly check out the two choices you made. I can, however, lead you to ActorPoint's monologue directory, currently containing 80 complete female monologues -- many in your age-range.

See http://www.actorpoint.com/free_monologues/0a.html and break a leg at your audition!

JC