Follow the following rubric and instructions
High School: Choose one of the following options –
Option 1: Memorize and perform two contrasting, one-minute monologues from a published play or the sample monologues library. Examples of this may be dramatic/comedic, classical/contemporary, theater/film, or two contrasting characters that have very different personalities. Choose relatable characters within your natural age range and decide to whom your characters are talking and why. You may choose to play roles of any gender. You may select your own monologues to perform but are welcome to review and choose a monologue(s) from this sample monologues library.
- Be prepared to receive direction. The assessor will give two pieces of direction to the actor for each of their monologues to alter their performance of each monologue. The student will perform a section of both monologues again taking in the direction.
Option 2: Put on your director/producer hat and create a 3-5 minute sales pitch for your dream production of one of the following plays: “Dracula” by Hamilton Dean and John Balderson (1924), “A Raisin in the Sun” by Lorraine Hansberry, OR “All My Sons” by Arthur Miller. When developing your pitch, consider the following questions:
- What is the message of the play?
- Why does an audience need to hear it right now?
- When and where are you setting the production?
- What is the mood?
- What are the important relationships in the play?
- What are the challenges in directing the play?
- Be prepared to be asked questions about your vision from the assessor.
Title: “Inner Thoughts of an Ex-Lioness”
Description: A cat muses on how its mistress doesn’t appreciate it enough.
Genre: Comedic
I can’t believe this; I’m locked out again. After all I do for her, following her around the house to keep her safe, bringing her gifts, that I have hunted for her. And yet, she chooses to keep me locked outside of this door. I can sit here, and I can meow for hours, knowing she’s right inside. But rarely does she open the door to me now. (pause) Perhaps it is because I take a special interest in some of her plants. But I think they are rather nice against my fangs and surely, she would understand that. I mean I see her do something with her teeth, it must be similar right? But every time I try to do something with my teeth I get shooed out. (pause) I have been her protector since I came here. If only they would try to understand me. When I walk to the door that is clearly a sign I no longer wish to be here. But she waits for me to sit and beg, like some kind of… dog. (pause) Although I guess she can be useful for some things like bringing down the jar of the magic tasty food and cleaning out the old poop box. But other than that, honestly, I could live alone. I used to run outside all day and night before I came here. Now I’m forced to stay inside, just watching the nature that I used to prowl. So, when I ask for things like to be let into her room, I expect a little more pep in the step. Especially since they have tamed me into a protector. (gasp) Don’t even get me started on those things they call dogs. Oh! Big. Wet. Smelly. And there’s two of them. They’re the bane of my existence. I will not make friends with such oafish creatures. I will stick to my own. And keep yelling at the door, hoping one day she’ll let me in again.
Title: “Pressure”
Description: A student struggles with their life
Genre: Dramatic
My sister gets away with everything. According to my parents and all the teachers, my sister, the class president, the popular kid, the star student, is excellent and never does anything wrong. Everyone holds me up to her standards. It’s always, “When Emily was your age, she already…”, or “maybe if you just follow what Emily does, you would do it right.” I am sick and tired of always being compared to her. No one ever stops to think about my feelings. They never seem to care about anything that concerns me unless I make a mistake. I know I am not the best at, well, anything, but is it too much to ask for a “good job Jade” or “we are so proud of you”? It must be too hard because I haven’t heard anyone say that stuff to me my whole life. Just once, I want the praise that Emily gets. Just once, I want to be a good comparison. I don’t want to be the screw-up that I am. People say you shouldn’t live for the praise of other people, but I think the opposite is true. Praise means you’re actually doing something right in your life. I’ve never gotten any recognition, so clearly, I must not be doing anything right. And I have no clue where I would even start. No matter what I do, I don’t think I’ll ever be good enough. What breaks me the most is that no one sees me hurting. No one sees me cry. Not because I don’t show it, but because they don’t bother looking for it.
Title: “Shrimp Fried Rice”
Description: A person who takes things a little too literally gets quite upset when their date orders shrimp fried rice.
Genre: Comedic
Woah, woah, woah! Hold on just a minute here, waiter. I wasn’t gonna say anything before, because I’m no marine biologist, but if she (gestures across) is gonna order that, I’m gonna have to speak up. Now, when I saw it on the menu I did some research, and I am fairly certain there is no way that is possible. I mean, shrimp? Frying rice? The very concept is preposterous! There are a million issues I can think of! There is no way shrimp could get their tiny little hands on the frying pan, and I don’t think they have the brain capacity to know when rice is done cooking. On top of that, there has to be a health code violation here! I mean, it says on the menu: “warning: consumption of raw meat or poultry may cause food poisoning,” but it doesn’t say anything about consumption of food prepared by meat or poultry! (Turns across) Look, I’m gonna be honest. I was fully prepared to propose to you tonight. I have the ring and everything! But if you are seriously going to give in to the delusions of this restaurant and order “shrimp fried rice,” I don’t think I can anymore. In fact, I think we should see other people. This is false advertisement, and I will not, no, CAN not stand for it!
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