Browse Acting Monologues & Scenes

The Pitt

by R. Scott Williams

A mother reveals to a doctor that she intentionally made herself sick to get her son into a medical facility so she could report his disturbing behavior. She expresses deep concern over her son's violent writings and social isolation, seeking professional help before he hurts himself or others.

A Woman of No Importance

by Oscar Wilde

Mrs. Arbuthnot delivers a powerful defense of her life and her devotion to her son, Gerald. She explains the immense sacrifices she made as an unwed mother in a judgmental society, pleading with him to understand that her 'sin' is inseparable from her love for him.

Salomé

by Oscar Wilde

Herod, the Tetrarch of Judea, desperately pleads with his stepdaughter Salomé to dance for him, ignoring the protests of his wife Herodias. In his feverish state, he promises Salomé anything she desires, up to half of his kingdom, eventually swearing a sacred oath that seals a grim fate.

The Duchess of Malfi

by John Webster

Antonio and Delio stand among the ruins of an ancient abbey where Antonio is haunted by a supernatural echo that sounds like his murdered wife. Despite the echo's dire warnings and Delio's pleas for caution, Antonio resolves to face his fate and confront the Cardinal. The scene highlights Antonio's grief and the atmospheric, gothic dread preceding the play's final tragedies.

Hotel Del Luna

by Hong Jeong-eun, Hong Mi-ran

Jang Man-wol, an immortal hotel owner, reflects on the fleeting nature of life while observing a blooming flower. Chan-seong, her human manager, attempts to shift her perspective by highlighting the beauty found in temporary moments and simple human pleasures. The scene explores the emotional gap between immortality and the human experience.

Ajax

by Sophocles

Tecmessa desperately pleads with Ajax to reconsider his suicidal path, highlighting the dire consequences his death would have on his family. She appeals to his sense of honor and duty, arguing that his demise would leave her and their son in a life of shameful slavery and misery.

Edwin A. Salt

by Kurt Wimmer

Winter confronts his long-time friend and colleague, Salt, with evidence suggesting he is a deep-cover Russian sleeper agent. As Salt desperately pleads his innocence by citing their personal history, Winter systematically dismantles Salt's identity using classified files and surveillance photos. The emotional stakes escalate as a lifelong friendship is destroyed by accusations of a decades-long deception.

Jackie Brown

by Quentin Tarantino

Jackie reveals the gravity of her situation to Max, explaining that she is trapped between a lethal arms dealer and a long prison sentence. She vulnerably pleads for his assistance to help her disappear and start a new life, marking a pivotal moment of trust between the two characters.

Reservoir Dogs

by Quentin Tarantino

Mr. Blonde taunts a captured police officer with a chillingly calm demeanor before beginning a session of torture. He expresses his sadistic pleasure and explains how much he missed the 'art' of violence while serving time in prison.

Casablanca

by Julius J. Epstein, Philip G. Epstein, Howard Koch

Ilsa confronts Rick in his apartment, desperately pleading for the letters of transit to save her husband's life. After a tense standoff involving a revolver and accusations of bitterness, the underlying passion between the former lovers resurfaces, leading to a vulnerable confession of love.

Sing Sing

by Greg Kwedar, Clint Bentley

A wrongfully convicted man faces a parole board to argue for his clemency based on new evidence. The tension peaks when the lead commissioner questions whether the prisoner's emotional plea is a genuine expression of remorse or merely a performance honed in the prison's theater program.

Blitz

by Alan Plater

A mother prepares her young son for evacuation to the countryside during the London Blitz. She struggles to maintain her composure while her son pleads to stay home, eventually giving him a family heirloom to ensure his safety and connection to his parents.

BURIED

by Chris Sparling

Paul Conroy, a civilian contractor buried alive in a coffin, desperately pleads for help from a government official. The tension escalates as he realizes that bureaucratic policy and the refusal to negotiate with terrorists may seal his fate.

The French Dispatch

by Wes Anderson, Roman Coppola, Hugo Guinness, Jason Schwartzman

In a prison crafts studio, Moses Rosenthaler attempts to register for pottery class under the strict supervision of the guard, Simone. Forced to introduce himself to the other inmates, Moses delivers a blunt and existential confession about his incarceration and his desperate need for a creative outlet to avoid self-destruction.

Beautiful Boy

by Luke Davies, Felix van Groeningen

David and his ex-wife Vicki have a devastating phone conversation regarding their son's life-threatening addiction. While Vicki pleads for one more intervention, a defeated David admits his sense of failure and his decision to stop trying to save a son who doesn't want to be saved.

Black Swan

by Mark Heyman, Andres Heinz, John McLaughlin

Nina confronts her artistic director, Leroy, to plead for the lead role in Swan Lake. Leroy challenges her technical perfectionism, arguing that she lacks the dangerous spontaneity required for the Black Swan, leading to a provocative physical confrontation that reveals Nina's hidden volatility.

Ward 8

by Tasha Huo, Pete Letz

Anne experiences a psychological breakdown in her cell as the mental toll of her imprisonment takes hold. Her sister Beth attempts to ground her, leading Anne to realize that the symbols used in the facility suggest they are being transformed into human weapons based on ancient mythology.

Measure for Measure

by William Shakespeare

Isabella pleads with the cold-hearted judge Angelo to spare her brother's life, arguing against the hypocrisy of men in power. She contrasts the divine mercy of Heaven with the petty, destructive authority exercised by mortal men who forget their own fragile nature.

Vertigo

by Alec Coppel, Samuel Taylor

Gavin Elster attempts to hire his old friend Scottie, a retired detective with acrophobia, to follow his wife. Elster reveals a disturbing supernatural concern, claiming his wife is being possessed by someone from the past, leading to a tense negotiation over Scottie's return to investigative work.

The Life & Adventures of Nick Nickleby

by Joy Wilkinson

Nick approaches his estranged, wealthy uncle Ralph to ask for a loan to support his mother and sister after his father's death. Ralph coldly rejects the plea, revealing deep-seated resentment over family inheritance and challenging Nick's sense of entitlement. The scene culminates in a heated clash of values between Ralph's ruthless self-reliance and Nick's desperate familial loyalty.

Wolf

by Megan Gallagher

A former detective visits a reclusive man living in the woods to seek information about his brother's cold case. The two men strike a tense bargain involving a mysterious note found on a dog's collar and their shared history of unresolved trauma.

The Bus Stop

by Nabil Shaban

Nazir and Fahmida walk home after a bizarre encounter, discussing their personal histories and their differing views on a traditional Islamic lifestyle. Nazir, currently hiding under a stolen veil to avoid recognition, makes a vulnerable and direct plea for Fahmida to consider him as a serious suitor despite their different pasts.

Merlin

by Julian Jones, Jake Michie, Johnny Capps, Julian Murphy

Merlin desperately attempts to convince Arthur to withdraw from a lethal challenge against an seemingly supernatural knight. Arthur, bound by his sense of duty and honor as the Crown Prince, refuses to back down despite Merlin's warnings that the fight will lead to his certain death.

His Dark Materials

by Jack Thorne

Lyra confronts her uncle, Lord Asriel, as he prepares to depart for the North, pleading for him to stay or take her with him. Asriel remains emotionally distant and dismissive, prioritizing his scientific mission over their relationship while Lyra struggles to find a connection through a story about kindness.