Short Speeches to Pack a Punch

Written by Amanda Grace

June 21, 2021

Sometimes, less is best. All shorter than 1 minute, these monologues will leave your audition panel wanting more.

From Piñata Utopia by Christian Kiley

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

At her birthday guests beat the unloving crap out of Princess Piñata, a young girl has her very own Braveheart moment, intervening on behalf of the speechless creature.

Get the Monologue Here

From Escape the Dark by John J. King

(Male, Dramatic, College 18-22, Young Adults 20s, Adults 30-40s)

The Boy Without Light recalls the first time he opened up to his girlfriend about his experience with depression. They were in Boston Public Gardens, walking past the bench where Robin Williams filmed the famous Good Will Hunting scene.

Get the Monologue Here

From The Ninth Train by Jane Jeffries and Jim Jeffries

(Female, Serio-Comic, High School 14-18)

Sixteen-year-old Eva first met Merek, the baker’s son, attempting to get a refund for a day-old roll. When he refused, she threw it in is face. Such was the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Get the Monologue Here

From Japes by Simon Gray

(Male, Dramatic, Young Adults 20s)

Michael’s peeved about his brother Jason’s girlfriend’s pot smoking… but, mostly, he’s in love with her.

Get the Monologue Here

From The Truants by David Matthew-Barnes

(Female, Dramatic, High School 14-18)

Sacramento, 1989. Jana, Marc, Sandi, Ethan, and Chad are cutting school in Marc’s basement when truths to test their friendship come out one by one. Here, Jana gives the pills she’s been prescribed to her best friend, worried she might intentionally take them all at once.

Get the Monologue Here

From Crawl by Crystal Skillman

(Male, Serio-Comic, Adults 30-40s)

Ty is upset that his brother, Alex, isn’t getting emotional about selling their late parents’ Brooklyn home. He’s upset that Alex doesn’t even get emotional about movies—not even Avatar. For Alex, such representations of a “perfect culture” are downright insulting.

Get the Monologue Here

From Cougar by Holli Harms

(Female, Serio-Comic, Adults 30-40s, Mature 50s)

The son of Kate’s old college boyfriend has tracked her down in a bar. His father told him he needed to find a woman like Kate—but he’s opted to find the genuine article. When a drunk onlooker tells Kate (50s) she’ll look foolish with this 20-something on her arm, Kate has words.

Get the Monologue Here

From Despeerate Territory by Jennie Redling

(Male, Dramatic, Adults 30-40s)

Michael, a construction worker, explains to his wife Georgia why he feels they won’t make it together.

Get the Monologue Here

From If They Come Tonight by Angela Cerrito

(Female, Dramatic, Young Adults 20s)

Irena Sendler worked in the Polish Resistance in Warsaw during WWII as the head of the Zegota’s child rescue operations. She has helped over 2,500 children find safe houses, but tonight, she’ll be found out by the Gestapo.

Get the Monologue Here


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.
Photo credit:
Photo by Timothy Eberly on Unsplash