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Monologue Resources

Need an audition monologue? You’re in the right place. Discover contemporary and classic monologues from Black British, African, and Caribbean playwrights here.

Where can I source monologues?

Great audition monologues can be found from a variety of anthologies and plays, whether classic or contemporary. Below is a collated list of books which specially set out monologues for Black and global majority actors. Set across varying countries and contexts, many of the plays from which these monologues come from feature within the Black Plays Archive. Please note that, in some cases, these books have been set out by gender but these monologues can be performed by all actors.

 

Please note: the Black Plays Archive website links out to where students can access books within libraries near them via Jisc Library Hub Discover. Jisc Library Hub Discover brings together the catalogues of major UK and Irish libraries in a single search so students can discover where to source books and play texts throughout the UK’s National Libraries, including the British Library, university libraries and more.

 

The Oberon Book of Monologues for Black Actors (for Women)

The Oberon Book of Monologues for Black Actors (for Men)

Audition Speeches for Black, South Asian and Middle Eastern Actors : Monologues for Women

Audition Speeches for Black, South Asian and Middle Eastern actors : Monologues for Men

Where else can I find monologues?

Great monologues aren’t just found in anthologies. Reading through play texts themselves can be a way to find monologues that will resonate with you – particularly in plays for solo performers. Below are a selection of contemporary solo performer plays from the Black Plays Archive, for actors of all genders.

 

 

Discover more plays within the Production Catalogue of the Black Plays Archive.

More to explore

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Browse the archive

Search our catalogue of first productions, from 1900 to today from all over the diaspora.

Play extracts

Explore audio recordings of plays like Leave Taking, Sing Yer Heart Out for the Lads and more.

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National Theatre Archive

Dive into an exciting world of theatre history inside the National Theatre Archive. Located offsite from the National Theatre on The Cut. The link above takes you to the National Theatre website.