), The problem with Shakespeare's clowns is that they are famously not very funny. color: #005E80; A complete database of Shakespeare's Monologues. Whether it be for an audition or just for fun, here are eight great Shakespearean monologues for women: 1. Since 1983, the competition has engaged more than 360,000 young people. It's the seriousness with which he tries to get the information across that makes it funny. But Kate. Kathleen McCall. In fact, almost every audition piece listed here can be improved by the character needing desperately to get to a toilet. list-style-position: inside; Here are 6 great Shakespeare monologues by female characters—from Hamlet, The Tempest, and more. Queen Margaret, Henry VI Part 3, Act One, Scene Four. He swears on penalty of death that the events occurred the way he describes them. .portus-main-article-block ul li { Are you an actor who's going to be easy to hang out with? Introducing Stage Mag, the New BWW Service to Make Your Own Show Program - for Free! I've compiled two lists of comic Shakespeare monologues, ten each for male and female characters. You may receive a verification email. Phoebe, As You Like It, Act Three, Scene Five. Proteus is stricken with a crazed passion, and he compares his feelings to different temperatures: a cold ice for his best friend and a fiery lust for Silvia. The monologues are organized by play, then categorized by comedy, history and tragedy. HAMLET: To be, or not to be--that is the question: Whether 'tis nobler in the mind to suffer Edmund, the bastard son of Gloucester, enters with a letter. Shakespeare gives Hotspur, the angry, romantic young usurper, the best prose in the play. Starting with "I am an ass, I am a woman's man, and besides myself," you can combine Dromio's lines into a single speech about the kitchen wench who's besotted with him, and with whom, despite his protestations, he's besotted with as well. }. This causes Romeo to duel Tybalt in revenge and kill him. ), Juliet, Romeo and Juliet, Act Two, Scene Two. We've compiled these lists with the help of Elizabeth Dennehy, an accomplished actor in her own right who teaches and directs Shakespeare as a member of the faculty at the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts. In the end, he begs her to reconsider. What’s even better, we’ve included links to where you can find them for free on our site. There are Shakespeare auditions, and then there are Reduced Shakespeare auditions. Cullen Douglas: 7 Insights to Working on a Film Set. 8 Role-Winning Tips! Start with "What, was it you that would be England's king?" A monologue from the play by William Shakespeare. The mischievous Puck has dropped the juice from a magic flower into the eyes of Demetrius and Lysander, causing both to instantly fall in love with Helena. Turning on a dime and treating each person differently can show great precision and clarity (if you do it right). Benvolio has just witnessed the murder of Mercutio and Tybalt, and the flight of Romeo. In this monologue, Dogberry rolls up his sleeves, extremely upset and offended, after Borachio has called him an “ass” for apprehending him. Step 1: Select the amount you would like to purchase: Step 2: Send a customized personal message. ), The Jailer's Daughter, Two Noble Kinsmen, Act Two, Scene Four. He showers affection on her, enraptured by her beauty. You'll just have to get used to that idea. Even now, in this very room. We've hand-picked these monologues for both men and women. font-size: 4.625rem; The business of the shoe allows us to watch a character make big physical choices and try very hard (and fail) to get something right. Shakespeare is required in literature courses across the Anglosphere but just like me, so many students including college ages and even afterwards adults past the age of 25 hate it so much and even more think its boring or too high-class and requiring advanced education to be able to enjoy. He has great pride and an excellent command of the English language (or so he thinks). This deceit excites Edmund; he is tired of being considered base and unworthy of inheritance. Don't lie on your resume. Launce, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Act Two, Scene Three. In this monologue, he sits and ponders death while Isabella stands close by. Maybe something really juicy for your next audition? When he meets Silvia, the beautiful daughter of the Duke of Milan, he forgets Julia, and selfishly begins to pursue a relationship with Silvia. Tybalt (Juliet’s cousin) meets Mercutio, Romeo, and Benvolio (Romeo’s cousin) in the street after a night of reveling, and during an impromptu duel, Tybalt murders Mercutio. Laertes advises that she use her discretion when judging if Hamlet actually loves her or not, as the decisions Hamlet makes are determined by his status as the Prince of Denmark. The glee with which he admits his proclivities, and the final line's payoff, makes this a standout piece. Valentine intends to woo and marry Silvia, but after Proteus meets her, he devises a plot to steal her from Valentine. He’s also not that great with vocabulary. Some other things we look for in auditions: Treat the proctor who signs you in as cheerfully and respectfully as you treat the directors in the room. Start with "O hateful hands, to tear such loving words!" His discovery of just how evil he plans to be is thrilling to watch, and in its dark way almost charming. 1. … "I did deny no prisoners" is ripe for mockery, wounded pride, and simpering. Let Cleveland Musical Theatre Help. This is partly because they make jokes and 400 year old references that don't make any sense to a modern audience, but it's mostly because the actors playing the clowns don't play them seriously enough. Rosalind, As You Like It, Act Three, Scene Five, Rosalind, disguised as a man named Ganymede, steps in when she sees Phoebe berating Silvius and insults them both, hysterically and with great specificity. Henry is at odds with Harry Percy, a former ally, and Richard’s heir, Edmund Mortimer. Selected by Dr Oliver Tearle The plays of William Shakespeare are crammed full of memorable lines, influential phrases, and striking images. Seth & Stars Holiday Sale - 15 Stars for $15/each. .hover-color-twitter { } Puck, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act 3, Scene Two. The mischievous and incredibly physical sprite is reporting to its master Oberon, the King of the fairies, about what happened when it turned Bottom into an ass. In his rage and jealousy, Edmund writes a letter (addressed to his father from Edgar) that says Edgar will give half his inheritance to Edmund upon their father’s death. Ever have trouble finding a great Shakespearean monologue that suits you for an audition? Broadway Rewind: SIDE SHOW Returns to Broadway! Your registration has been updated. Here you'll find a broad selection of Shakespeare monologues for use in a classroom or audition setting. (a prequel). Berowne, Love's Labors Lost, Act Three, Scene 1. The first thing we do is ask our proctors and stage managers what actors are like when they're not 'on'. Hates. Constable Dogberry and his partner, Virges, have arrested Borachio and Conrad for being the cause of a ruined wedding. (Hamlet may say he wants to marry her for the good of politics, not because he actually loves her.). Be first to get the top news & best streams. BroadwayHD's November Lineup - A KILLER PARTY, HEDWIG, and More! Are you searching for some of the best male Shakespeare monologues? She has great pride and an excellent command of the English language (or so she thinks). (Doug Harvey performed this piece so brilliantly in his audition we cast him in the role of Hamlet in our new production of Hamlet's Big Adventure! Since RSC actors play multiple roles of multiple genders, it doesn't matter to us whether you're performing a male or female role since at some point you'll be asked to play both. Dogberry, a passionate, bumbling, and misspoken man, is a good police officer, but his way of doing things doesn’t quite line up with procedure. Laertes meets with his sister, Ophelia, and advises her on how to deal with the Lord Hamlet, who has been acting erratically and rudely since the death/murder of King Hamlet. Being a theatre company without our own building, we spend most of our time on the road, in airports, hotels, planes, trains, and automobiles, and only two hours actually onstage. It's the almost literal push/pull of these feelings, combined with her youthful impetuousness and clumsy conversation starter, that makes this piece so charming and wonderful. list-style-type: disc; The contrast between Pheobe's public pronouncements and private feelings, and the dexterity with which she bounces back and forth between them, is a five-act play in itself. She doesn't get a name, but she gets a great speech. A very funny and physical moment of extreme and discombobulated teenage passion. font-weight: normal; He is distraught and perhaps even alone since his friends are either dead or have run away. Watch Ali Ewoldt, Nic Rouleau & More Unite to Sing FOLLIES! Because it’s hard to choose “the best,” we’ve compiled a list of ten monologues, five comedic and five dramatic, that are sure to fit your style. A monologue featuring awkward and funny confusion, accusations, and despair. Character: KING. A great piece for beginning actors of any gender (usually played by a male actor, though nothing in the text designates the character as male or female). They married in the church, but because of technicalities, their marriage is not lawful. Searching for the Bard's best monologues for women? This store is PCI Compliant, Please log in to begin your shopping experience. Comedy is frequently (maybe always) about status, so we look for actors who embody these types, but as each actor plays multiple roles they must also be comfortable switching things up when necessary. York, Henry VI Part 2, Act Two, Scene Two. .portus-main-article-block blockquote { This speech is long (too long; you'll want to cut it) in which Richard confesses his own plans to the audience and delights in his own self-awareness. If you have a particularly dexterous tongue and can combine it with genuine emotion, this is a terrific showcase. (Both times I've directed Much Ado About Nothing I've cast a woman as Dogberry, which is why she's listed here. Tybalt, and the flight of Romeo. This reluctant bachelor reaches an enthusiastic and jubilant epiphany as he realizes how much he is, in fact, madly in love. In his rage and jealousy, Edmund writes a letter (addressed to his father. Start with "I think Crab my dog may be the sourest dog that lives." Bottom, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Act One, Scene Two. Constable Dogberry and his partner, Virges, have arrested Borachio and Conrad for being the cause of a ruined wedding. font-family: Georgia; Lysander should love Hermia, Helena’s best … 1. It's probably funnier if Puck is disturbed or astounded by what it's seen; if Puck laughs, we probably won't. Margaret has many juicy and delicious moments but this mocking speech in which she trumpets victory can be especially fun the more facetious and sarcastic you are. A great piece for beginning actors of any gender (usually played by a male actor, though nothing in the text designates the character as male or female). This is our list of the best male Shakespeare monologues. Luciana rejects him, thinking that Antipholus of Syracuse is her sister’s husband, Antipholus of Ephesus, and she accuses him of cheating on his wife. Do their jokes go on forever? Petruchio. Jim Norris benefits. He’s also not that great with vocabulary. We consider the three figures in our scripts the Enforcer, the Professor, and the Innocent, but they're loose archetypes drawn from commedia dell'arte. Ever have trouble finding a great Shakespearean monologue that suits you for an audition? This is one of the most outwardly emotional monologues about death on the list; sure to make even the most serious audiences feel your pain and loss. In this monologue, Benvolio speaks to Prince Escalus, who has been called to the scene. Deadwood: 10 Best Monologues That Are Almost Shakespearean. Olivia's dealing with two things here (and therefore so is the actor playing her): Her frustration with Orsino, who won't take no for an answer, and her immense attraction for "Cesario," who is Orsino's messenger but also Viola in disguise. Petruchio wishes to marry Katherina (“Kate”) against her will and at the request of her father, Baptista Minola. .portus-main-article-block ol li { A perfect example of a low-status character yearning romantically above her station, this piece is physical, jubilant, poignant, and if done right, hilarious. You are now subscribed to our More Good Stuff maling list. Do you play well with others? Petruchio is a jokester and treats Kate with disrespect. Location: Act I, sc. These Shakespeare monologues for teenagers range from sad monologues to descriptive monologues, dramatic, love monologues and funny Shakespeare monologues. Read full King Monologue; 2. In this monologue, Dogberry rolls up his sleeves, extremely upset and offended, after Borachio has called him an “ass” for apprehending him. This list of best female Shakespeare monologues … Will they turn a joke into an excuse to do another monologue?