What makes a monologue a monologue and how should I perform mine?

Question

I am performing an origional monologe at a talent show in August and I really need to know a few things...

First.........what makes a monoluge different from a skit. Also, since I am writing an origional one, I need to know if it's a monologue or a skit. The first senteces is....."It's not fair! Mommy won't let me leave the table until I clean my plate!" So is that a monologue or a skit.

Second........since I am kinda talking to the audience, should I look at them?

Please help....I need to know!

Answer 1

A monologue involves only ONE PERSON.

A skit involves more than one.

Now, if you are going to have other characters around you

(in this case have a mother sitting/standing by you)

It becomes a skit because though you are the only one speaking, your not the only identifyable charcter.

If your doing it solo its a monologue.

:]

So you should be fine.

When you get out there and perform,

Break a leg!

Best of luck.

-Camm

Answer 2

The previous answer is correct...that would be a monologue...

Now you will need to decide who, if anyone, your character is talking to. It sounds, however, that it will not be "mommy."

While your character could be talking to them self (thus making it an internal monologue) it will be easier to play if there is another persona which your character is talking to.

If you're playing a child and the person your character is talking to is another child, the scene will be played much different than if your character is talking to their father...

Once you decide WHO the character is talking to, pick a location out in front of or beside you where the persona is located and speak to that point...(this works better if there IS NOT a real person in that spot)

Feel free to move around them, but it becomes hard for the audience to follow if the persona moves:)

Anyway, "break a leg" and I hope your performance turns out well...