Browse Acting Monologues & Scenes

The Real Thing

by Tom Stoppard

Brodie, an uncouth political activist recently released from prison, confronts Henry and Annie about the play Henry wrote based on Brodie's life. The tension peaks as Annie reveals the pathetic truth behind Brodie's 'heroic' protest, leading to a violent outburst that shatters the illusion of his political martyrdom.

Shakespeare in Love

by Marc Norman, Tom Stoppard

Will Shakespeare pitches the tragic conclusion of his new play to his skeptical but intrigued acting company. As he describes the double suicide of the star-crossed lovers, he shares an intense, unspoken moment of connection with Viola, who is disguised as a male actor.

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead

by Tom Stoppard

Guildenstern confronts the Player about the artificiality of stage deaths versus the terrifying reality of non-existence. The Player defends the theatricality of the craft, recounting a darkly comic anecdote about a real execution that failed to move an audience. The scene highlights the existential dread of the protagonists as they grapple with their own impending disappearance from the narrative.

Shakespeare in Love

by Marc Norman, Tom Stoppard

During a royal gala, Viola is summoned by Queen Elizabeth, leading to a public debate about whether the theater can capture the true nature of love. Will Shakespeare impulsively enters a fifty-pound wager against Lord Wessex, while the Queen privately warns Wessex that Viola has already given her heart to another.

Teeth

by Tom Stoppard

In a dental surgery waiting room, two women gossip about a past heartbreak involving a missing tooth, while a man named George eavesdrops. George then confronts the receptionist—who is also his mistress—about their affair and her husband, the dentist, before being called into the surgery for an appointment that serves as a tense cover for their interpersonal drama.

On the Razzle

by Tom Stoppard

Weinberl and Christopher, two shop assistants posing as wealthy men-about-town, attempt to navigate a high-end dinner with two ladies while being desperately short on funds. Weinberl tries to hide his anxiety through pseudo-political babble and cheap orders, while Christopher recklessly orders a lavish feast, betting on their ability to escape the consequences. The scene is a frantic display of social climbing, linguistic puns, and the mounting pressure of maintaining a false identity.