Audition Sides

I have watched her from the window. She thinks no one sees her—but I do.

She gives away what little she has. She speaks kindly even when she is treated harshly.
(Pause)
In my country, we believe that the smallest light is the most important one. It proves that darkness has not won.

I cannot change her world. But perhaps… I can make one small corner of it warmer.
(Steady, peaceful)
Sometimes that is enough.

(Softly, but certain)
If I am cold, I pretend I am warm. If I am hungry, I imagine a feast. And if I am lonely… I remember that I am still myself.

They can take my dresses. They can take my room. They can even tell me I am nothing.
(Pause)
But they cannot take my thoughts. They cannot stop me from being kind.

I used to believe that princesses lived in palaces. Now I know better. A princess is someone who remembers who she is—even when no one else does.

(Lifts her head)
Especially then.

This is not a charity, Miss Crewe. This is an institution built on order, discipline, and reputation.

Sentimentality has no place here. Nor does imagination—unless it is properly directed.
(Steps closer)
You were indulged once, and look where that led you. Fortune disappears, and suddenly we are expected to pretend it never mattered?

You will work. You will obey. And you will learn your place.
(Coldly)
Kindness is a luxury. And luxuries, as you should know by now, are easily taken away.

Sara, my darling, do you know what makes you extraordinary? It isn’t your cleverness—though you have plenty of that. And it isn’t your imagination—though it amazes me every day.

It’s your heart.

When things go well, anyone can be gracious. But when things go poorly… that is when character shows itself.
(Smiles at her)
Promise me something. No matter where you are, no matter what happens—never stop believing that goodness matters.

I don’t care if you’re rich or poor, admired or forgotten. If you remember that, you will always be my little princess.

Lavinia: (With forced confidence)
Everyone always listens to you, don’t they? Your stories, your ideas, your silly little speeches about being kind.

Well, some of us don’t have the luxury of pretending the world is fair. Some of us understand how things really work.

(More sharply)
You think you’re better than us because you don’t complain—but I see it. You look at us like you’re judging.

(Scoffs)
Just remember—no one stays special forever. Eventually, everyone falls. And when you do… don’t expect me to feel sorry for you.

Lottie: (Starting to cry, then building)
You said you wouldn’t leave me! Everyone always leaves me!

(Stamps foot)
I don’t want to sleep alone and I don’t want to be quiet and I don’t want anyone to tell me I’m silly for feeling sad!

(Voice softens)
When you tell stories, it feels like someone’s holding my hand.
(Almost whispering)
Will you stay just a little longer? Please?

Ermengarde: (Flustered)
I tried, I really did! I read it twice and still none of it makes sense.

Everyone else knows the answers, and when I don’t, they look at me like I’m hopeless.
(Pause, vulnerable)
Do you ever feel like you’re invisible unless you’re doing something wrong?

(Small smile)
But when you explain it… it doesn’t feel so frightening.
Maybe I’m not stupid.
Maybe I just need someone to believe I can learn.

Becky: (Hesitant at first)
I’m not meant to talk much. Usually I just listen… or work.

But when you speak to me, it’s like I matter. Like I’m not just someone who scrubs floors.

(With growing confidence)
I don’t mind being tired. I don’t even mind being hungry.
What I mind is being forgotten.

(Firm, heartfelt)
I won’t forget you. Not ever.
No matter what happens—I’m on your side.

MONOLOGUE SAMPLES FOR ELEMENTARY/MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTORS

FINDING NEMO -- DORYs

No. No, you can’t. …STOP! Please don’t go away. Please? No one’s ever stuck with me for so long before. And if you leave…if you leave… I just, I remember things better with you! I do, look! P. Sherman, forty-two…forty-two… I remember it, I do. It’s there, I know it is, because when I look at you, I can feel it. And…and I look at you, and I…and I’m home! Please…I don’t want that to go away. I don’t want to forget.

THE WIZARD OF OZ -- DOROTHY

But it wasn’t a dream. It was a place. And you and you and you… and you were there. But you couldn’t have been could you? No. Aunt Em, this was a real, truly live place and I remember some of it wasn’t very nice, but most of it was beautiful; but just the same. All I kept saying to everybody was I want to go home and they sent me home! Doesn’t anybody believe me? But anyway, Toto, we’re home! Home. And this is my room and you’re all here and I’m not gonna leave here ever. Ever again. Because I love you all. And, oh Auntie Em! There’s no place like home!

SHREK -- SHREK

Once upon a time, there was a lovely princess. But she had an enchantment upon her of a fearful sort, which could only be broken by love’s first kiss. She was locked away in a castle guarded by a terrible fire-breathing dragon. Many brave knights had attempted to free her from this dreadful prison, but none prevailed. She waited in the dragon’s keep, in the highest room of the tallest tower, for her true love, and true love’s first kiss. … Like that’s ever gonna happen!

THE LORD OF THE RINGS -- SAM

I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something. That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo… and it’s worth fighting for.

You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown - Sally Brown

A ‘C’? A ‘C’? I got a ‘C’ on my coat hanger sculpture? How could anyone get a ‘C’ in coat hanger sculpture? May I ask a question? Was I judged on the piece of sculpture itself? If so, is it not true that time alone can judge a work of art? Or was I judged on my talent? If so, is it fair that I be judged on a part of my life over which I have no control? If I was judged on my effort, then I was judged unfairly, for I tried as hard as I could! Was I judged on what I had learned about this project? If so, then were not you, my teacher, also being judged on your ability to transmit your knowledge to me? Are you willing to share my ‘C’? Perhaps I was being judged on the quality of coat hanger itself out of which my creation was made…now is this not also unfair? Am I to be judged by the quality of coat hangers that are used by the dry-cleaning establishment that returns our garments? Is that not the responsibility of my parents? Should they not share my ‘C’?