<p>Now, I know there's probably a ton of threads just like this one, but I really need help. Also this is my first post so I'm sorry if I messed something up.</p>
<p>Anyway, I'm applying to both Theater and MT schools and I'm finding it very difficult to find age-appropriate, quality, published contemporary monologues that aren't overdone. I was set on using Rose's monologue from The Woolgatherer (the one about how she saw some boys kll a bunch of rare cranes at the zoo). It seemed perfect, it was so powerful, it had a wonderful build... but apparently it's been done a million times :(</p>
<p>My only resources, being a suburban NJ kid, are my drama teacher's monologue books so this may be why I cant find anything. I researched the plays and everything, but I still cant find original monologues. People say don't use monologue books, but then, what am I supposed to look at? My library drama selection is basically Tennessee Williams, Thorton Wilder and Shakespeare, whereas the Barnes and Noble is all Wicked and Avenue Q. Hardly original. Where am I supposed to look? I need two contrasting contemporary monologues for most of my schools.</p>
<p>I found Emotional Recall from Impassioned Embraces and I love it, but it's way too long (I can't for the life of me squeeze that mammoth down to 2 minutes). My drama teacher recommended I look at Proof, but she lost her script and I don't know it well. Can you think of any that might suit me? I'm a girl, 18, middle weight, middle height, deeper voice (as in, not very ingenue). My drama teacher always has me play cooky moms (like Penny from You Can't Take it With You). I'm blunt, I have a pretty expressive face although I'm not very physically agile. I do well with verbal or silly humor, my voice is my most expressive tool. Any thoughts? Or tips on how to find a monologue?</p>
<p>You may have to go to the nearest bigger city and try their library. You can go online at B&N and call up their dramatist series, which has a ton of plays for purchase (each under $10).</p>
<p>Monologues just can’t be predicted. S went to a monologue competition last Saturday, and thought he had a fresh monologue (Red), but four other guys did it! So I wouldn’t be totally hung up on picking something just because it is lesser known. Pick something you connect with and feel great doing.</p>
<p>If you aren’t too far from New York City and can take the time, make a trip to the Drama Bookshop at 250 West 40th Street. They have a huge number of play scripts, as well as a staff that can probably point you toward some plays that have characters that are age-appropriate. They have some comfy (if a bit bedraggled) chairs, and you can just sit and skim through the plays and see if you can find something that might work for you. They also have some teen monologue books that say which play they are from - if you look through and find something you like, you can then see if they have the whole play so you will be able to read the whole thing.</p>
<p>I would also second Marbleheader - if you find something you connect with, don’t worry too much if it is overdone - if the character is something you could play right now and you do it well, then just go for it. You could spend weeks looking for an obscure monologue, only to find when you go to audition that it isn’t as obscure as you thought!</p>
<p>Snooze, be sure to do a search (just use “monologues”) on both this forum and the theater/drama one–LOTS of past threads on this topic, and they should be of help!</p>
<p>Everyone thanks so much! I may keep my Woolgatherer monologue because I just love it, but I’m definitely going to head up to NYC this weekend now that I know where to go. You were all so helpful, thanks! and I’ll check those forums now</p>