@The Arts Unit Creative Classes

Let's act out!

Develop skills in acting and characterisation through approaches to monologue

Student drama resource developed by The Arts Unit

Years 10 and 11 drama

What will I learn about?

You will:

  • explore elements of drama to develop a believable character

  • devise and enact drama using a script and unscripted material

  • perform to communicate dramatic meaning.

Before you begin

I hope you are feeling relaxed today and are ready to learn about how to develop characters through your personal stories.

Make sure you have a quiet space you can work in safely.

You'll need:

  • pen and paper

  • a camera or phone.

You will also need to:

  • choose a 3-6 minute monologue

  • use the attached booklet or choose your own monologue.

Monologues.pdf

  1. Dropping in

Watch Approaches to monologue – dropping in.

  • What are Lindy Davis’s 3 steps to approaching a monologue?

  • Why is it important to have a connection with your monologue?

  • How does knowing your monologue in the context of the entire play give you more depth as an actor and/or character?

  • What is the difference between a soliloquy and a monologue?

  • What is a character's back story and why is it important when developing a monologue?

  • Who is Stanislavsky? What is his approach to acting when developing a character?

  • What did you learn from the 'dropping in' exercise?

  • What is subtext?

Photo credit: Anna Warr

Explore the following using your chosen monologue.

  • Who is your character?

  • What is the entire context of your monologue?

  • What is your character's back story?

  • What does the character say about themselves?

  • What do other characters say about your character?

  • What does your character say about others?

  • Working in pairs, explain the dropping in exercise and complete it for your character.

  • Identify any subtext within your monologue.

2. Impulse/abstract work

Watch Approaches to monologue – impulse work.

  • Describe what ‘impulse work’ is.

  • What is the reason for undertaking this impulse/abstract work?

  • What are some of the advantages of using ‘impulse work’?

  • How did the students' physical work change the way they said their lines?

Explore this process with your own monologue.

  • Try delivering various key lines in different positions.

  • How did the physical work you did change the way you said your lines?

  • What discoveries did you make about your monologue through playing with ‘impulse work’?

3. Blueprinting

Watch Approaches to monologue – blueprinting.

  • Describe what ‘blueprinting’ is when preparing a monologue.

  • What is the difference between blocking and blueprinting?

  • What moment do many monologues explore for the character?

  • Why are spatial dynamics important when performing a monologue?

  • How should you approach movement in your monologue?


Extension activites – Learn more about Patsy Rodenburg's 'circles of attention'

Using the following 2 videos below, answer the following questions:

  • What are Patsy Rodenburg’s ‘circles of attention’?

  • Why is the second circle, being present, important as an actor performing a monologue?


Explore the following using your chosen monologue.

  • What is the character’s climax that is explored in your monologue?

  • What is the space your character is in?

  • Throughout your monologue, what movement is legitimate?

  • What is the ‘present’ moment your character is in?

  • Explore your character's entry moment on stage and develop this.

  • Identify key moments in the monologue and how to deliver them through truth and authenticity.

4. Perform

Continue to develop your monologue.

Rehearse and memorise your monologue.

You may wish to record parts of your performance throughout the process and seek feedback from your teacher and peers.

Perform your monologue and record it using video and audio or as directed by your teacher.

Extension activity

Watch the interview with student, Holly Matthews, who played Lady Macbeth in the 2019 NSW Public Schools Drama Company performance of 'Macbeth'.

Holly talks about her experiences working with Shakespeare and her preparation for the role of Lady Macbeth and how she has developed as an actor.

Drama Company 2019 – Macbeth – Interview with Holly Matthews (Lady Macbeth)

Duration: 07:13

Well done!

You have completed this

@The Arts Unit Creative Class.

Good luck with your monologue performance!

Third-party content attributions

  • NSW Public Schools Drama Co - Macbeth images, Photographer: Anna Warr.