Old Souls: Monologues for Kids Who Think Like Adults

Written by Amanda Grace

October 14th, 2020

When I was a child—and even now—there was nothing I loathed more than being spoken down to. For all my clever kids out there looking to speak up, these pieces pack some seriously thoughtful punches.

A monologue from Anne of Green Gables by Jody Johnston Davidson

(Female, Dramatic, High School 14-18, Kids & Juniors 5-13)

Anne, an orphan, has just arrived at Green Gables. She is not the young boy Marilla and Matthew expected to fetch from the asylum to help them around the house. Anne is quite boisterous in introducing herself over Matthew’s stunned silence.

Get the Monologue Here

Pail of Water by Douglas M. Parker

(Any Gender, Comedic, High School 14-18, Kids & Juniors 5-13)

In this selection from Fantasy Monologues for Young Actors, Jack/Jill has a bone to pick with the stigma surrounding their story. They went to fetch a pail of water—so what if they didn’t succeed? They weren’t saving the world, and someone else probably fetched some water right after them. Maybe everyone should just move on.

Get the Monologue Here

A monologue from Kid Turboni Brings the Rain by Mark J. Costello

(Male, Serio-Comic, Kids & Juniors 5-13)

It’s 104 degrees in the shade of their Albuquerque housing project and Kid Turboni, his best friend Billy, and eventual love interest Kelly have had enough of the heat—and perhaps bigger problems. Here, Kid addresses the audience confessional-style after his first failed attempt to bring rain to the neighborhood.

Get the Monologue Here

A monologue from The Adventures of Rocky & Skye by Kelly DuMar

(Female, Comedic, Kids & Juniors 5-13)

DuMar’s series of short, fast-paced scenes follow a quartet of characters who grow up before the audience’s eyes. Presently, it’s picture day for precocious middle schooler Ratani, who wants everything to be perfect. She recognizes the school photographer from an unfortunate incident with fellow student Todd Bright last year.

Get the Monologue Here

A monologue from Henry V by William Shakespeare

(Male, Comedic, High School 14-18, Kids & Juniors 5-13)

A Boy, servant to the three buffoons Nym, Bardolph, and Pistol, stops to address the audience in a moment of comic relief from their vitriolic spat. This piece is ideal for older children looking to dip a toe into the classical canon!

Get the Monologue Here

A monologue from War Letters by J. Robert Wilkins

(Female, Dramatic, High School 14-18, Kids & Juniors 5-13)

Mary addresses the audience, revealing her worry for her father, Jack, who is off at war. Mary has just found her mother crying, and they had a long talk about her father being overseas. Now, she isn’t necessarily frightened that he’s away, but she is uncomfortable without him at home.

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A monologue from The Firebird by Evan Guilford-Blake

(Any Gender, Comedic, Any Age)

Our young hero, the Duke, tells the Lobster that he’s been sent to get the treasured wedding dress of the Princess Catherine, which the Lobster has been sworn to protect. The Lobster mocks the Duke relentlessly over how little he knows of the true value of the precious dress.

Get the Monologue Here

Punching Bag by R. J. Ryland

(Any Gender, Dramatic, Kids & Juniors 5-13)

In this scene from Monologues Just for Kids!, a child tells us how their brother uses them for a punching bag all the time. The child is a pacifist and doesn’t want to hit their brother back… even though they may feel like it most of the time.

Get the Monologue Here

12 Years Wise by Gabriel Davis

(Any Gender, Dramatic, Kids & Juniors 5-13)

A child appeals to their father to be nicer to their mother. The child is, self-admittedly, only twelve, but is confident they know something their father needs to hear.

Get the Monologue Here

A monologue from Supermarket of Lost by Cassandra Hsiao

(Female, Dramatic, College 18-22, High School 14-18, Kids & Juniors 5-13)

The Supermarket is where you can leave items, and they shall be forgotten for all time. You can also exchange them, but they must be of equal value upon leaving. Austin and Violet have just found Hailee, who has brought all her childhood belongings, hoping to help her parents and others forget when she is gone. She has been diagnosed with cancer, and does not have much longer to live.

Get the Monologue Here



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Amanda Grace is an actor, writer, composer, improvisor and director whose work has graced stages from  Central Florida to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. She is based in London, where she is studying to obtain her M.F.A. in Actor & Performer Training at Rose Bruford College. Amanda holds an honours B.A. in Theatre Studies and a B.A. in Psychology, as well as a certificate in Shakespearean Performance from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Her original albums can be streamed at amandagrace.bandcamp.com.
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