One-Character Dramatic Interp Pieces for Serious Monologue and Dramatic Monologue competitions, as well as DI events.
This collection of dramas for guys and girls includes 18 single-character plays from across our drama collections and archives. Find monologues for guys and monologues for girls that will win at NSDA, state tournaments, and theatrical competitions.
Like everything Mushroom Cloud Press publishes, these monologues are centered on characters and stories designed for high school interp and speech competition. You will find pieces ready for novice and experienced students who want to learn new skills and compete at the highest level.
With your purchase of this digital script collection, you'll instantly receive a link to download your pieces so you can start working on a new performance today. All scripts are easily cut for competition.
If you need more one-person dramas for your students, this is the collection you need.
Play Descriptions
My All-Time Favorites by Frank Smith
A teacher gets a surprise visit from one of her old students, whom she can't quite place. In attempting to remember him, she reminisces about several of her favorite students... including one whom she suspected of being abused by his parents, but couldn't save before his family moved away. She seems to be reliving the whole ordeal all over again, devolving into tears, but in a twist happy ending, the student visiting the teacher IS that student she thought she didn't help. And thanks to his teacher's intervention, his life turned out very well indeed.
Fighting Stance by Frank Smith
A gay 20-something man recounts the story of his emotionally abusive first boyfriend. Specifically, how the man's love for karate and its tenets allowed him to escape that toxic relationship and find peace in his own identity - in a way that the boyfriend never could.
It’s A Girl Problem by Josephine Kelly
This piercing monologue explores the world of Anorexia Nervosa from a male point of view. Stereotypical views make this a female issue, but teen also boys look at their own bodies, and then compare their bodies to the ripped and toned bodies they see in movies and magazines, feeling they come up short… and the consequences can be disastrous. Our narrator here is compelling, unique, and a voice that must be heard, created by an author who shares a deep empathy with her character.
An Evening with Julia Maggiano By Bridget Grace Sheaff
Carrie is the 20-something understudy for the famous actress Julia Maggiano in her one-woman show… and she never expected she would actually have to fill in for this titan of the stage. But when Julia is late, Carrie finds herself in front of a grumpy audience, realizing she hasn’t quite memorized the script and isn’t right for the part, anyway. This nightmare scenario is full of genius cringe-comedy and authentic wit, as well as real emotion as Carrie uses the situation to unpack her recent split from her boyfriend. A one-of-a-kind piece that will win your best performer many rounds.
Remember One Word by Tammie Peters
“You are my lawyer, no? You will help me stay in America. Yes, it has been a very long journey. But I had no other choice.” With these words, Inez invites us on a journey from Honduras to Houston, chronicling a childhood in the grip of violence and a vision that better times lie ahead. In this absolutely necessary monologue, the author approaches the subject of migration with intelligent compassion.
Mother’s Day by A.J.J. Bourque
When the narrator of this story finds out she’s pregnant, she knows one thing: she can’t tell her terminally ill mom. That means she’s left to make the hardest choice of her life on her own. We watch her navigate her family and her feelings as she ultimately decides to give the baby up for adoption. A poignant and very real monologue for performers who appreciate playing a character with subtle depth.
H is for Hercules by Taren Pfitzer
Domestic abuse is never the same story -- it can manifest itself in a variety of forms and levels. H, the mysterious narrator of this monologue, shares his story of abuse. From his abuse of alcohol, brought on by the emotional abuse he received from his wife, to the eventual physical abuse of his wife; H's story shows audiences that anyone can fall prey to abuse. Teaching the severity of both physical and emotional abuse, H serves as an example of how the villain of a story can be a victim, too. A strong piece for strong performers, with minimal cutting required.
Thomas More Doesn’t Know Me by Sarah Weiner
Emily Louis is a typical overachieving college student — smart, practical, and witty. In this monologue, she tells the story of meeting her former best friend, Mickey, and explains the dark truth about why their friendship ended, and how she has managed to move on. The story offers a striking and realistic look at campus sexual assault through the eyes of a very smart character.
CLASSICS
Living in Color by Andrew Messer & Jake Nyberg
Alex has a morbid job: he does makeup on cadavers before funerals. He does not take his work lightly, but instead invests himself wholly in it, using his focus to recall some of the most crucial moments of his life, and reflect on his strained relationship with his father. The stunning ending of "Living In Color" will put the final touch on the careful complexion of Alex's revelations. Winner of the 2015 Dramatic Performance Finals at NCFL Nationals.
Sister of Mercy by Clyde Hendrickson
A teenage girl accepts that her big brother died in the Iraq War; she's proud of him and his bravery. But when protesters show up at his funeral, claiming his death was God's wrath on a nation of sinners, she reacts with the vicious immediacy of a wronged teenage girl. Now, in her confession, she talks about why she took such drastic action, and why it seemed like the only brave thing to do. A stunning and original dramatic monologue for female performers.
A New World by Gabriella Diaz
Immediate and moving, this conflicted character will make a powerful final round impression. In this shattering monologue for a female performer, a young mother brings her family to the United States in order to make better lives for them all, including her aging mother. But this dream quickly turns to a nightmare when her mother is diagnosed by Alzheimer's and descends into confusion and anger. Then there are hard decisions about how to survive in this new world - decisions that can haunt forever.
Revolution by Steve DuBois
In a deeply personal monologue, Benedict Arnold reflects on a life marked by heroism, betrayal, and regret. This work of historical fiction will delight fans of Hamilton and American history. Performers ready to showcase their acting skills will find many opportunities here.
My Perfect Feet by Andy Hobin
A veteran returns from the Iraq War, scarred over his whole body from burn wounds he received in combat. He knows that life is never going to be the same, for him or his family. But what he's not prepared for is the reaction of his daughter, who is now scared to look at him or be alone with him. Over the course of this heartbreaking monologue, both father and daughter learn a new and deeper definition of love.
History Lesson by Don Trickseven
Blending dark humor with a devastating double loss of innocence, this piece is perfect for a powerful male performer ready to show the full range of his emotions. A young man tells of his friend Jake, who just killed himself before the end of their junior year of high school. He takes on the task of sorting through some of Jake's stuff, when he discovers Jake's journal, and the terrible secret that drove him to death. Now, he must decide whether to confront the teacher and reveal the truth, or let Jake rest in peace.
God, If You're Really Out There by Cynthia Riebesell
After Alana's husband dies in the World Trade Center during the 9/11 attacks, she begins to question her faith in God. As she gives her husband’s eulogy, her internal battle between despair and hope comes to a striking conclusion in this moving monologue.
Taller To-day by Edith Kirkby
A boy dates his first love in high school. He takes it especially hard when she breaks up with him... and is totally unprepared for what a following tragic event in her life will mean for his. This monologue, great for novices, quietly muses on love and its ramifications for young hearts, with a few painstakingly applied verses from Auden.
Jack, the Lionheart by Bobby Lebeda
What does love mean when it brings us to the breaking point? David’s brother Jack suffers from a severe form of autism, and the strain of caring for him tears the entire family apart. In a brutally honest monologue, David describes choosing between himself and Jack, a choice that would haunt him forever. For actors ready to show the full range of their dramatic skills.
How to Eat Cat Food with Dignity by Clint Snyder
Kids deal with emotional trauma in different ways, and eating cat food to deal with the absence of a mother is this particular young woman's tactic. Death and poverty are not something kids are equipped to face, but that doesn't mean they are excused from it. In this wrenching monologue, one girl comes to understand how life can go on in the face of fear.