Browse Acting Monologues & Scenes

Shakespeare in Love

by Marc Norman, Tom Stoppard

Viola expresses her deep dissatisfaction with the superficiality of courtly life and the limitations placed on women in the theater. She confides in her Nurse, articulating a passionate desire for a transformative, 'ungovernable' love and a life filled with poetry and adventure.

Reservoir Dogs

by Quentin Tarantino

Mr. Pink delivers a crude and highly specific deconstruction of Madonna's 'Like a Virgin' to a group of professional criminals. He argues that the song is not about romance, but rather a metaphor for the physical pain of a sexual encounter with a well-endowed man.

Sleepy Hollow

by Andrew Kevin Walker, Tom Stoppard

Following a traumatic nightmare, Ichabod Crane finds comfort in Katrina Van Tassel's arms as he reveals the dark origins of his cynicism and the death of his mother. The two share an intimate moment of vulnerability where Ichabod struggles to reconcile his dedication to logic with his growing feelings for Katrina.

The Seagull

by Anton Chekhov

Nina returns to her childhood home to visit Constantine, reflecting on her failed romance and her difficult journey as a struggling actress. She grapples with her past identity as a 'seagull' before finding a newfound, resilient sense of purpose and the strength to endure the hardships of her craft.

Marty Supreme

by Ronald Bronstein, Josh Safdie

Following a sexual encounter, Marty and Kay engage in a tense power struggle as Kay prepares for her theatrical comeback. The conversation devolves into a series of personal attacks regarding financial security, artistic integrity, and the transactional nature of their relationship.

Brooklyn

by Nick Hornby

Eilis waits for Tony outside her college, fearing he has stood her up, only for him to arrive breathless with a comedic excuse about a plumbing emergency. The tension shifts from Tony's fear of a breakup to a tender moment of vulnerability as Eilis finally reciprocates his feelings of love. The scene balances the awkwardness of new romance with the high emotional stakes of a cross-cultural relationship in 1950s New York.

Moonrise Kingdom

by Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola

Sam and Suzy seek out Cousin Ben at a scout camp to help them escape their families and potentially get married. Cousin Ben offers them a non-legally binding ceremony while warning them of the moral weight of their decision, leading to a brief but intense moment of doubt between the young runaways.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs

by Joel Coen, Ethan Coen

On a wagon train heading West, Billy Knapp awkwardly proposes marriage to Alice Longabaugh as a practical solution to her financial debts and his own fear of aging alone. The two navigate the social and economic realities of the frontier while discovering a mutual, quiet respect for one another.

Whiplash

by Damien Chazelle

Andrew coldly breaks up with Nicole, explaining that his obsession with becoming a world-class drummer will inevitably lead him to neglect and eventually resent her. Nicole forces him to confront his arrogance, leading to a sharp, clinical end to their relationship as Andrew chooses his ambition over human connection.

The Hollow

by Agatha Christie

Edward attempts to convince Henrietta to return to their ancestral home of Ainswick and marry him. Henrietta, a successful sculptor, gently rejects his proposal, explaining that she cannot return to the past despite her deep affection for him and the peace he offers.

Vicky Cristina Barcelona

by Woody Allen

Maria Elena explains to Cristina that their unconventional three-way relationship is the only thing that keeps her volatile romance with Juan Antonio stable. She describes Cristina as the 'missing ingredient' that prevents their love from becoming destructive, revealing the deep emotional codependency of the trio.

The Hollow

by Agatha Christie

In the aftermath of a murder, Midge attempts to comfort a distraught Edward by the fire. As they reminisce about their family estate, Ainswick, the conversation shifts to Edward's unrequited love for Henrietta and Midge's long-standing, unacknowledged feelings for Edward.

Shakespeare in Love

by Marc Norman, Tom Stoppard

Will Shakespeare confides his desperate love for Viola to her male alter-ego, Thomas Kent, while traveling by boat. Viola, disguised as Thomas, tests the depth of Will's devotion and questions whether love can truly bridge the gap between their social classes. The scene culminates in a passionate declaration of love's power over rank and a sudden, revealing physical moment.

The Theory of Everything

by Anthony McCarten

At a university May Ball, Stephen and Jane share a series of intimate conversations about science, poetry, and the nature of time. Despite Stephen's initial reluctance to dance, their intellectual connection and mutual fascination lead to a romantic breakthrough on a moonlit bridge.

The Caucasian Chalk Circle

by Bertolt Brecht

Amidst a violent palace coup, Simon and Grusha share a hurried and formal betrothal. Simon prepares to leave for war while Grusha promises to remain faithful and wait for his return despite the uncertainty of the conflict.

Noughts + Crosses

by Malorie Blackman, Levi David Addai

After years apart, Callum and Sephy unexpectedly reunite in the Hadley household, where the stark racial and class divide is immediately highlighted by a simple bandage. Their joyful reconnection is abruptly interrupted by Sephy's arrogant boyfriend, Lekan, who asserts his dominance and reminds Callum of his lower social standing.

El Mariachi

by Robert Rodriguez

Mariachi questions Domino about her relationship with the local crime boss, Moco, and how she acquired her bar and loft. Domino reveals the extent of Moco's attempts to buy her affection before choosing to be with Mariachi instead.

Rear Window

by John Michael Hayes

Jeff and Lisa engage in a heated debate about the compatibility of their lifestyles and the future of their relationship. Jeff argues that his dangerous, nomadic career as a photojournalist is no place for a socialite, while Lisa confronts his stubbornness and expresses her desire to be part of his life regardless of the cost.

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

by Charlie Kaufman

Clementine visits Dr. Mierzwiak to discuss her failing relationship and her desire to erase her memories. She struggles to articulate her dissatisfaction, oscillating between the desire for a cinematic romance and the practical pressure of settling down as she gets older.

Easy A

by Bert V. Royal

Olive addresses her webcam, lamenting the lack of grand romantic gestures in real life compared to 1980s teen movies. She expresses a desire for her life to mirror a John Hughes film while acknowledging the mundane reality of her current situation.

Punch-Drunk Love

by Paul Thomas Anderson

In a hotel room, Barry and Lena share an intimate moment that escalates into a bizarre exchange of 'cute aggression.' They express their intense affection for one another through increasingly violent and surreal metaphors, finding a unique and unsettling common ground in their shared eccentricity.

Barry

by Alec Berg, Bill Hader

In an acting class, Ryan and Barry perform a tense scene from the film True Romance. While Ryan leans into a heightened, eccentric characterization, Barry struggles to stay present until the scene reaches a physical climax that reveals the absurdity of their rehearsal environment.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

by J.K. Rowling

Jacob confronts Queenie after discovering she used a love charm on him to force a marriage. They argue over the legal risks of their inter-species relationship and the emotional desperation driving Queenie's actions, leading to a painful rift when Jacob's internal thoughts are revealed.

Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald

by J.K. Rowling

While searching for records in the French Ministry of Magic, Newt and Tina finally address the misunderstandings regarding Newt's supposed engagement. Newt clumsily attempts to express his true feelings for Tina, comparing the unique quality of her eyes to that of a salamander.