Dramatic monologue?

Question

I need to have a dramatic monologue written by a modern period playwright..
I was originally going to do a monologue by Martha from Eugene O'neill's 'The First Man', but i can't seem to remember my lines no matter what i do.
any suggestions for a shorter monologue or and tips to remembering my lines?

Answer 1

You don't have to do the whole thing. Just do part of it. Learning lines is a trick. You read the first line, look up and say it without looking at the book. You do it again, and again.Then you look at the first two lines and you look up and say them both without looking at the book, and do it again and again, then add the third line, etc. until you've got it. Once you know the lines, remember they are the character's reactions to what is happening in the scene. Say them as responses to the things that make your character react.

Answer 2

One way that always helps me for memorizing lines is constantly writing them down. That way its going into your memory two ways. Another way is to record you saying your lines, completely lacking of emotion, and play them back to you as you try to memorize. Its best to have the lines go through your memory with more than one sense.
A good book to use is "Contemporary American Monologues for women" (or for men, for guys) by Todd London. It has alot of monologues taken from contemporary plays. There is some adult content though, so ye be warned.