What is Happy?

This powerful monologue, "What is Happy?" from Dennis Kelly’s acclaimed play *Dna*, features Leah speaking to a silent Phil. Set in a contemporary world, Leah grapples with profound existential questions about happiness and its unsettling nature, particularly in the aftermath of a dark secret shared within her social group. The scene captures a vulnerable teenager attempting to process immense guilt and anxiety as she observes the strange shifts in group dynamics.

Leah is a mid-teen character who embodies the Outsider, Vulnerable, and Intense archetypes, while also being an Everyman figure that many young people can relate to. Her stream-of-consciousness delivery reveals a sharp, anxious mind wrestling with morality and the concept of collective well-being versus individual truth. Despite her philosophical musings, there's an underlying current of fear and complicity, making her character deeply complex and relatable to the pressures faced by teenagers. She is desperately trying to rationalize and find meaning in a situation that has profoundly disturbed her and her peers.

This monologue is an exceptional choice for auditions because it offers a wide range of emotional expression within a compact timeframe. Its dramatic genre and vulnerable tone allow an actor to showcase depth, intelligence, and the ability to navigate complex emotional landscapes, from anxiety and guilt to a semblance of troubled optimism. The internal conflict and the character's direct address to a silent scene partner provide ample opportunity for dynamic performance choices and strong actor-to-actor engagement, even without spoken lines from Phil.

"What is Happy?" is ideally suited for drama school auditions, agent showcases, and self-tapes where actors want to demonstrate their ability to portray authentic teenage angst and intellectual curiosity. Its theme of peer pressure and anxiety also makes it excellent for general practice or competitions. The character's age range makes it perfect for actors under 18 or those able to convincingly portray a mid-teen female, particularly those who can embody a nuanced blend of intensity and vulnerability.

When performing this monologue, focus on Leah’s internal journey and the intellectual gymnastics she employs to cope with her situation. Pay close attention to her shifts in thought and feeling, allowing moments of genuine confusion, desperate hope, and unsettling realization to emerge organically. Remember that Phil is present and silent, so maintain a strong connection to him throughout, allowing his unspoken reactions to inform Leah's delivery and create dynamic give-and-take. Embrace the naturalistic, sometimes rambling quality of the dialogue to convey authenticity, but ensure every word serves to deepen the audience's understanding of Leah's complex state of mind.