top of page

 

There are several stages involved in the development of a powerful and effective monologue performance. The first two being the WRITING and the PERFORMANCE. The structure of the monologue (the writing) needs to be looked at completely separate from the actual monologue performance (the acting). If a monologue performance isn’t approached properly, it’s very similar to grabbing a bunch of sticks, throwing them together in a pile and expecting to wind up with a well-built house. That’s simply not gonna happen.

 

If you plan on having Coach Banks or Coach Jack coach you and you plan on performing a self-written monologue, the monologue requirements below must be met before your coaching session. Reason being, not everything that’s written as a real-life experience or an interesting extended paragraph, qualifies as an actual monologue. And… the closer the piece is to a personal real-life experience, the better the chances it’s not going to adhere to the integrity of monologue story structure.

 

Consider the writing as a set of train tracks and the performance (you) the train, riding on those tracks. If the tracks aren’t solid and structurally sound, you’ll be in for a very bumpy ride… and more than likely, derailment. This happens all the time.

 

If during the coaching of your monologue, it’s realized that the piece doesn’t meet the necessary requirements, the coaching session will end. If you feel you’d benefit from some writing coaching, prior to your performance coaching session to help you structure your idea, you can set up a one-on-one writing session with Coach Banks HERE.

 

Necessary Structural Dynamics:

 

  • The monologue should fit you.

  • Your monologue must come in between 60 & 90 seconds. 

  • There must be a clear Beginning, Middle, and End. 3 Act Story Structure.

  • There needs to be a strong Who, What and Where. Who you’re talking to (relationship) – What’s it about (plot) – Where it’s taking place (location)

  • The piece must present a strong story & character arc.

  • The story must go somewhere (travel) with noticeable moments in place. Something has to happen! An Experience needs to take place.

 

Coach Banks cannot be expected to conduct a writing session or have to rewrite the piece for you during these performance sessions. If you’re in need of a custom written monologue, or you require a writing session, once again, you can easily set that up HERE.

 

In your MONOLOGUE PRIVATE COACHING SESSION, Coach Banks will be more than happy to help you develop and customize your piece to your character. Please inquire about session fees.

 

TIPS: Remember — BUILD from the ground up.

 

  1. Level the ground – THE PIECE MUST FIT YOUR CHARACTER – RESEARCH & EXPLORE YOUR BEST YOU

  2. Build the tracks – THE PIECE MUST BE WRITTEN WELL

  3. Test the tracks you’ve built – GOOD WRITING ISN’T WRITTEN… IT’S REWRITTEN! DO THE WORK!

  4. Build the train – THE ACTOR IS ACTIVATED AND READY FOR THE PERFORMANCE

  5. Condition and prep the train – THE PERFORMANCE HAS BEEN WORKED OUT AND WORKED OUT AGAIN

  6. Run the train on the tracks several times – REHEARSE & REHEARSE. DISCOVER SEVERAL WAYS TO ATTACK IT

  7. Put some turns in the tracks and decorations on the train – TWEAKING THE PERFORMANCE

 

An effective monologue will serve YOU, the working actor, immeasurably throughout your career. Do the work correctly the first time and you can expect sensational results for many years to come!

 

Self-Written Monologue Requirements

A 'MUST READ' IF YOU PLAN ON WRITING YOUR OWN MONOLOGUE.

Writing your own monologue is not a requirement for the 1Minute Monologue Contest... but it does have its benefits.  

bottom of page