Monologues and Duologues for Young Performers

Emma-Louise Tinniswood

• Editorial: Methuen Drama
• Año: 2022
• ISBN:
  9781350283732
• Edición: 1
• Categoría: Mezzi di comunicazione e arti performative
• Categoría: Teatro

Shortlisted for the "Outstanding Drama Education Resource" with Music & Drama Education Awards (2023) Do you struggle to find appropriate scenes and monologues for young performers? Whilst there are so many plays to choose from, the selection of material for auditions, exams and competitions can often be overwhelming. Monologues and Duologues for Young Performers offers a new collection of original monologues, duologues and scenes for young actors aged seven to fourteen that come ready-made for performance. With more than thirty new pieces for male and female actors of varying ages, these scenes explore a wide range of themes and characters and the accompanying notes suggest a range of activities for both the teacher and the student to help them develop the piece for performance. All the scenes have been tried and tested by young actors and many have been used in LAMDA examinations as well as for Speech and Drama Festivals and auditions. Each scene is accompanied by notes on character, background and setting as well as a range of drama activities and questions to ask as an actor, making it an ideal resource for those taking part in LAMDA and Trinity Speech and Drama examinations as well as for drama competitions, other examinations, auditions and theatre exploration.

Monologues

Did you see me?

A young child has just run their first race on sports day. They are immensely proud of themselves as they have come first. They go up to their mum to tell her the good news, while looking for their dad at the same time.

(Excitedly.) Did you see me? Did you? Could you see me from all the way down here? Why didn’t you come up front? There was plenty of space. (They stop and look around them sadly.) Where’s Daddy? … But he said that he was going to be here. But he promised because he missed last year. Stupid work, why does he always have to work? I did exactly what he told me to do. Head down, don’t look at anyone else and run. I only wanted him to see me. I stood with my foot just behind the line and when the pistol went I ran like the wind, just like Daddy said. I wanted him to be proud of me.

(Brightening.) Did you see me? I ran and ran and I didn’t look round, I just kept on running. The best thing was I beat Mary Kate/John Williams … because she/he was boasting this morning about how fast she/he was and she/he said that she/he always won the running races so there wasn’t any point in me trying, but I showed her/him didn’t I? That’s why I’ve been practising … Yes I have. Don’t you remember me running round the garden? And the stick line. That was for sports day. I don’t normally run round the garden do I Mum?

And look at my medal. Do you like it? Look at the ribbon – my favourite colours, blue and purple, and look on the back it says ‘First’ … that means I won. I was the best. I was the fastest. I’m going to hang it on my wardrobe then I will see it every morning when I wake up and I will remember how fast I was and how good I was.

I’ve got to go soon because the next race will be starting. Do you think Daddy will be here in time for the next race? … I hope so too, I really want him to see me win, just once. Could you look after this medal for me? You must be very careful … don’t scratch it … and don’t squish it into your handbag, I don’t want it covered in make-up or crumbs. You’ve got to hold it then you can show everyone you talk to and tell them that I won it. Oh no that’s the whistle, I should be on the starting line. I’ve got to go. Remember to watch me and tell Daddy he’s late!

Background and character

The child in this story is busy with their school sports day. They are very excited about it and enjoying being part of all the races. They are clearly working hard, remembering all the things they have been told to do well. The child comes to tell their mum all about the race and show how proud they are of their medal and coming first in the race. The little boy or girl is clearly very happy and excited about winning, as any of us would be! Maybe it is their first win. But there is a little bit of sadness throughout as their daddy hasn’t yet made it and so didn’t see them winning the race.

Location

School sports field

Time period

Modern day

Who is the character talking to?

Their mum

Questions to ask

1.Why is the character really proud of their achievement?

2.How old do you think the character is?

3.How do they feel about their dad not being at sports day?

4.Do you think they have won a medal before?

5.What other sports might they be doing on sports day?

6.Why is their dad not there?

7.What might they say to their dad when they see him later?

8.How will Dad feel about missing the race?

9.What might the Mum say in reaction to this scene?

10.What physical actions might you do in this scene?

Discuss and devise

Remembering childhood

•Think back to a time when, as a child, you really wanted to achieve your best at something. What did you want to do? How did it make you feel? How did you decide to do your best? Did you achieve what you wanted to?

•Can you think of a time when you were really proud of something you did? What were you proud of? How did it make you feel? How did people react? Why were you proud? Did this lead to you doing something else?

•Devise a scene where a child is really proud of something they have achieved. They tell a family member or a friend about their achievement.

As an extension for discussion and devised work, you might like to consider a time where a character is not feeling proud of something or is lacking in self-esteem and they have to be persuaded that what they have done is a great achievement. This could be linked into cross-curricular work exploring self-esteem and confidence.

Swimming with dolphins

William is sitting wrapped in blankets, soaking wet and shivering at a lifeguard station. He has just been rescued by the coastguard and is now drying off, drinking hot chocolate and trying to explain what happened.

William (to Mum) Mum, honestly I’m fine. A bit wet and cold, but this hot chocolate is perfect. Please don’t cry. I’m here, aren’t I? Unharmed but wet … very wet.

It all happened so fast. It wasn’t like I’d planned it.

We went on this boat trip yesterday, around the islands to see the birds and seals. We went round a rock, and there was a group of dolphins. Mum thought they were sharks … yes you did … you shouted ‘Shark!’ and scared everyone on the boat. But they were so calm and peaceful. I put my hand over the side of the boat, and suddenly there were these two eyes just staring at me. Big, black eyes, the size of teacups. It was like she could read my thoughts. No one saw, cause they were all looking the other way. But it was like we connected, for a moment.

So when I was paddling and playing on my board and this fin popped up beside me, I knew it was her. The same big, black eyes, and it was like she was smiling at me, wanting to play.

I looked around … Mum was on the beach taking photos of jellyfish and Dad was asleep on the blanket. I thought, no one will notice if I go for a quick swim.

She swam, alongside me, and waited. I just grabbed hold of her fin. She looked at me as if to say, ‘Ready?’ and then … we were off.

The wind was rushing in my face, but it was amazing. Whee … whee … through the waves, over the waves. I was free, swimming with a dolphin. In my head I kept thinking, I bet no one at school has done this … Oh I wasn’t frightened, this was an adventure. I imagined all the places we could go – America, Iceland, Russia, South Africa. (Note: Add in or change the countries if you would like something more personal to your student.) But where I really wanted to go was Antarctica. I’m going to be an explorer when I grow up. I called her Herina. I don’t know why. I just liked the sound of it.

It didn’t occur to me that we were suddenly in the middle of the ocean, and I couldn’t touch the ground. That’s when I got scared and held on tighter. I hadn’t even got my life jacket on. They say animals can sense fear, don’t they? Like a sixth sense. And I think she knew I was scared, and that’s why she swam me to the fishing boat.

It was the best trip of my life. I got to swim with a dolphin, in the Atlantic Ocean. (Note: Change the name of the ocean/sea if you wish to make it more relevant to your student.) No one else is going to have that weekend news at school on Monday. I shall be famous … Have you got any more marshmallows? They’re the best bit.

Background and character

Some people are fortunate enough, when on holiday, to take a boat trip exploring the local wildlife. These trips can offer a real insight into the wildlife of the area, and give people the chance to see nature they might not otherwise see. William has been on a boat trip around some islands to see the wildlife. He has had the amazing experience of seeing a dolphin, so when he is swimming in the sea nearby and a dolphin pops up beside him, this presents an exciting opportunity for adventure. Children o...

Índice

• Cover
• Half-Title Page
• Dedication
• Title Page
• Contents
• Acknowledgements
• About the author
• Introduction
• Monologues
• Duologues
• Group scenes
• Copyright