Honors Theatre Arts
Monologue Project
For this project, you will be selecting TWO monologues to prepare and present in class. You may choose two of the three options below:
Monologue Requirements:
- Classical Monologue: Generally, classical monologues are selected from Greek/Roman plays, or plays of Shakespeare. However, there are other classical options if you are interested.
- Modern Comedic Monologue: Chosen from a play published within the past 125 (ish) years.
- Modern Dramatic Monologue: Chosen from a play published within the past 125 (ish) years.
Monologue Requirements:
- Monologues should be 1-2 minutes long (the exception to this requirement is if you are selecting a Shakespearean Monologue from the list of ESU approved monologues attached below.
- You need the ability to read the ENTIRE play, not just the monologue. This is generally only an issue for modern plays. You will have access to our script library as well.
- Your two monologue selections should be monologues that you have NOT previously worked on.
Shakespeare Monologue Info
If you are choosing a Shakespearean Monologue, it should be one that you have not worked on previously, or currently, for another project or class.
Once you have chosen your monologue, you can sign up for it. Please check the sign up list to make sure that you're not signing up for a monologue that has already been claimed (scroll to the bottom of this page to see that sign up list). You will need to know play name, character name, act, scene, and line numbers, and monologue number.
Make sure that the monologue and sonnet are not in red on the list (selections in red are not allowed to advance to the next levels of competition).
***Shakespearean monologues should be chosen from the list below.*** (If you want to compete in the school competition and have a shot at moving on to the branch & national competition, you MUST choose a monologue from the ESU's approved list.)
Click here for the approved monologue list
***To compete at the branch competition (or higher), you must also prepare and present a Shakespearean sonnet from the ESU approved list.
Click here for the approved sonnet list.
The winners of the in class competition will receive an invitation to compete in the school competition in the spring, and the winner of the school competition will continue on to compete in the branch competition. The winner of the branch competition will receive an invitation to compete at the National Competition.
Click here to view videos of past National Shakespeare Competitions (playlists of individual years include the national top 10 finishers from that year)
*To access the full plays, open http://www.folgerdigitaltexts.org/
These monologues will be graded on the basics of monologue work (projection, diction, physicalization, characterization).
A few notes from the ESU website:
Students should speak naturally. We urge them to use their own voice rather than affect a British accent. (no accents will be allowed for the class project)
Students should not wear costumes or use props of any kinds; including chairs, hair clips, jewelry, hats or any other added costume pieces (basic daily clothing, nothing that gets in the way of acting).
You should identify the selection before you begin.
To access the ESU’s website:
http://www.esuus.org/esu/programs/shakespeare_competition/
Once you have chosen your monologue, you can sign up for it. Please check the sign up list to make sure that you're not signing up for a monologue that has already been claimed (scroll to the bottom of this page to see that sign up list). You will need to know play name, character name, act, scene, and line numbers, and monologue number.
Make sure that the monologue and sonnet are not in red on the list (selections in red are not allowed to advance to the next levels of competition).
***Shakespearean monologues should be chosen from the list below.*** (If you want to compete in the school competition and have a shot at moving on to the branch & national competition, you MUST choose a monologue from the ESU's approved list.)
Click here for the approved monologue list
***To compete at the branch competition (or higher), you must also prepare and present a Shakespearean sonnet from the ESU approved list.
Click here for the approved sonnet list.
The winners of the in class competition will receive an invitation to compete in the school competition in the spring, and the winner of the school competition will continue on to compete in the branch competition. The winner of the branch competition will receive an invitation to compete at the National Competition.
Click here to view videos of past National Shakespeare Competitions (playlists of individual years include the national top 10 finishers from that year)
*To access the full plays, open http://www.folgerdigitaltexts.org/
These monologues will be graded on the basics of monologue work (projection, diction, physicalization, characterization).
A few notes from the ESU website:
Students should speak naturally. We urge them to use their own voice rather than affect a British accent. (no accents will be allowed for the class project)
Students should not wear costumes or use props of any kinds; including chairs, hair clips, jewelry, hats or any other added costume pieces (basic daily clothing, nothing that gets in the way of acting).
You should identify the selection before you begin.
To access the ESU’s website:
http://www.esuus.org/esu/programs/shakespeare_competition/